trouble times three! NEED a MONTREAL REHABBER!

[AniMom]

An elderly crippled neighbour called this afternoon for help ... so how could we say "no" to the three little boys she found trying to climb her tree! It seems they were first spotted wandering about a day and a half ago and there is no sign of a mama but one of the original four was found dead this morning at the base of her tree (no nest there or in any other tree in her yard) and one of the others fell out of the tree and onto her while she was investigating their problem. The other two just let themselves be picked off the wide trunk they were trying to scale. Another neighbour lent her a cat carrier and she put them in a nice warm cloth where they huddled together. She tried giving them a sugar water formula in a bowl (she says they drank some) and crushed nuts in a blender and says they seemed to eat some of them as well.

I'm not sure, but I think they might be about five weeks old (please see photos and let me know) but since they are definitely smaller than Cloud when we found her (about 8 weeks), I know they should still be on formula. We're out of that (Cloud is about 10 months old now!) so my husband is off to buy some and more (unchewed) small syringes. One of the babies is a bit smaller and seems more dehydrated (see skinny pic). I offered them all pedialyte and they took some but only the little one drank generously ... then promptly pooped in my hand, proving at least that his system is still operating! They are all alert and active though and squeak to each other when separated.

After raising Cloud, we now know what we're doing with them, at least ... but we really, REALLY are challenged at dealing with another three babies while Cloud is still with us (in our good cage), plus we've reserved a two-week vacation out-of-country (CANNOT take them across the border) just a few weeks from now, when they'll still require frequent care!!! Since Cloud is now so self sufficient, our son drops by every few days while we're away to check on her and give her new food but these guys are more than he can handle. Is there anyone out there any reasonable distance from Montreal who would like to raise these sweet little fellas?? If not, anyone who would at least be willing to raise them for a few weeks while we're away???

[island rehabber]

I edited your thread title to alert our Montreal folks immediately.

They are about five weeks old, and pretty skinny at this point. Hydrate them slowly.....going too fast can put their systems in shock. Can you get Royal Canin formula where you are? It is a decent substitute for Fox Valley.

[stosh2010]

I Love that photo---and their cute brown ears...

[Shewhosweptforest]

Ohhh I wish I was near:( :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[AniMom]

Thanks folks (love the circle pic ... I had named the photo "Squirrel Ball" on my computer) ... yes, we learned with our first squirrel who was BADLY dehydrated to take it slowly. These guys, however, are far less dehydrated looking than she was and very eager to drink so we hope they will recover faster. As for the formula, since our local puppy powder brand worked very well with Cloud, I think we can safely continue with it for these stronger guys.

Nice to know I estimated their ages about right too (I guess I've studied the TSB a lot in the past eight months) and correctly judging that they were way too skinny as well. Based on what we were told, they've been out on their own for at least two days and I have no idea how long they wait to venture out of the nest if mama fails to return. I figure on keeping them on the Pedialyte through the night (where's my darn alarm clock ... it retired with me!) and trying out a formula feeding in the morning. Right now they're all cuddled into the cat carrier, snuggled around a rice buddy I made them. How often should those be reheated? Should I just wait until they wake up naturally, warm it after each feeding, or set a schedule?

Thanks too for the title change ... I didn't think to highlight the region that way but it's a great idea since we do not have that many squirrel people around here.

All help is welcome ... we're feeling a little squirrely ourselves right now with all these boarders! :crazy

[sid'smommy]

SO FLIPPIN CUTE! Seem pretty skiny, but they knew when to come for help! Too bad the others didnt make it :( Nice save, tho ...:)

[AniMom]

Yes, the elderly neighbour deserves full credit for hobbling out there on her cane and trying to do her best for them all! Then she gathered all her close neighbours to kibitz on the best move to make ... then one of them remembered we had a rescue and called us.

Guess it takes a village to raise squirrels too. :)

[Scooterzmom]

Hi:

I just saw your post now, at this ungodly time of the night, but maybe we should get in touch and we can see what we could do for you. I'm sure we will find a solution that will work out for everyone. :)

I hope Cloud is doing fine, sweet thing. Has she remained white or did she start to go a bit grey? :Love_Icon

Keep hydrating the babies as you have been, slowly but steady but I would suggest you switch to goats milk formula instead of the puppy one. It's easier to digest and less risky for diarrheas. We can find you some Fox Valley, I believe Iwonka has some.

Once you have rescued one baby squirrel then more are sure to find their way to you :rotfl

[island rehabber]

:thankyou:bowdown Miche! :bowdown:thankyou

[Scooterzmom]

Gail:

I spoke to someone who can provide you with the Fox Valley - her name is Sylvie :wahoo These babies really need proper nutrition if we don't want their development to be impaired. Cloud was given proper nutrition in time so she's done well but these babies will have to go in the wild and may have trouble at first finding the good food for themselves, so we want to give them all the best chances, right? Sylvie can also provide you with the syringes, the nipples...

So send me an email, I'll give you my number and will pass on the info. We can also discuss things about your vacation/babysitting.

[iwonka]

:wave123 :poke

I've just spoke with Sylvie.. she is waiting for your call :poke
She has 2 bags of the FoxValley for you. :thumbsup
She lives in Mascouche so I believe this is quite near you :)

[AniMom]

Hi, we were able to make it to Sylvie's today and get the FV and nipples (really cute little things). Now I'm reading the FV instructions (and trying to make it mix ... even shaking it in warm water, it still stays a bit granular ... is there a trick?) and I've noted it's formula 32/40 and it says on the back that when the baby reaches about four weeks to gradually change to 20/50. We think they're about five weeks now. Is it okay to keep using this formula now and when they're older?

[AniMom]

Okay, now that it has sat a while, the powder has finally completely dissolved! I'm still wondering about the formula number though.

They've had their first feeding with the FV mixed in and they didn't seem to notice a difference in taste and ate very well. The littlest guy is still slower on the uptake than the other two but he IS starting to catch up a little. :)

So far, so good!

[SammysMom]

That formula is fine for now. No worries!:Love_Icon

[AniMom]

Thanks! :)

[skippy]

Hi, we were able to make it to Sylvie's today and get the FV and nipples (really cute little things). Now I'm reading the FV instructions (and trying to make it mix ... even shaking it in warm water, it still stays a bit granular ... is there a trick?) and I've noted it's formula 32/40 and it says on the back that when the baby reaches about four weeks to gradually change to 20/50. We think they're about five weeks now. Is it okay to keep using this formula now and when they're older?

When I mix up the FV, I put in just 1 part of the warm water at a time mixing thoroughly after each part of FV with a wisk until their is a smooth mixture.
The same way you would make gravy or a sauce with flour. Gradually adding the rest of the liquid to the ratio you are making.

4:1; 3.5 :1, 3:1, 2:1 I do a few feedings at each ratio until they are up to full strength. Watching their stools and making adjustments backwards one measurement if they are having problems until they get nice gold firm stool.

Each squirrel is different in how quickly they adjust to the formula. I had a group of 3 last season. One of the boys could not tolerate the 20/50 formula. He would end up with digestive issues each time I tried to move him from 32/40 to the 20/50. He was raised on the 32/40 and was healthy. If you can get the 20/50 ordered you should be okay until it comes in.

They are so cute. :) :)

[Scooterzmom]

I use a small whisk or even a hand blender - one of those sticks you use to blend things right in the container (I have a Braun). I make sure to let it sit for at least 8 hours in the fridge so the air bubbles have time to get out.

The formula will do just fine for now. :)

[AniMom]

Aaah ... gravy! That explains a lot. I'm infamous for my gravy ... can't make a decent one from scratch to save my soul. :D

Okay, from everything said, I think I'll do better when I'm making it in bigger quantity. Right now, I'm just adding a small amount to their regular formula and don't want to make too big a batch because it only holds in the fridge for one day. They're getting a bit hungrier at each feeding but still can't take a large amount at a time, so I'm not using industrial quantities ... yet!

I know they're doing pretty well so far and they DO look "cute" most of the time ... but this is what they look like after a mite bath, soaking wet. There's just not a lot of room in there to fill up! Although they did dry to a pretty sweet little handful. :tilt

[Scooterzmom]

They look so sweet :Love_Icon

For the amount they need they should eat about 5 to 7% of their body weight - hence the little food scale (you can easily find one at a pharmacy). I also use lukewarm water to mix it rather than cold, or just a bit warmer than lukewarm, and it makes it easier to dissolve. Not hot, that would make it like it reheat it when you'd use it.

Keep up the good work :)

[Milo's Mom]

Just a quick note....FV formula should be mixed with HOT (not boiling) water, as it helps it to dissolve in a more timely fashion. Many mix and feed immediately with no adverse effects. I mix the next days batch after my last feeding at night and allow it to sit in the fridge overnight...that's just how it works for me and my schedule.

[AniMom]

I was using warm water, which worked well with the puppy milk but not with the FV, although when it sat for about 15 minutes, it dissolved better. Now that I Know I can make a larger quantity for a few days, I think I'll try getting it together in a salad dressing shaker I have.

Hmmmm ... I've never seen a kitchen scale at a pharmacy around here ... must look since the shopping center is off limits for the moment due to distance and the fact that today I'm tied to my bed and bathroom with food poisoning! My husband is having to do all the baby sitting, as well as trying to finish the repairs on the corner of our house that he had started yesterday ... we've got daylight coming through until he can get it done! Thank goodness the Montreal weather has turned to SUMMER this week (temps in the high 70s, low 80s) ... seems like it just doesn't want to bother with spring anymore.

Hurrah! I just got a call back from the elderly lady who found them ... and she has a little kitchen scale! We'll get it tomorrow morning and I'll be able to tell you more about the little critters.

As usual, many thanks to all the member of TSB!

[Scooterzmom]

Just a quick note....FV formula should be mixed with HOT (not boiling) water, as it helps it to dissolve in a more timely fashion. Many mix and feed immediately with no adverse effects. I mix the next days batch after my last feeding at night and allow it to sit in the fridge overnight...that's just how it works for me and my schedule.
Bingo! Thank you for clarifying MM :)

Super! Now with the kitchen scale you'll also have a better guideline to know how much to feed them - the 5 to 7% of body weight at each feeding :)

[AniMom]

We have STATISTICS! I'm not sure if you weigh in metric or not, so I've put both weights here:
Velcro: 98 gr / 3.46 oz.
Sticky: 94 gr / 3.32 oz.
PostIt: 90 gr / 3.17 oz.

If I'm figuring all this out right, they should now be having about 6 cc/ml per feeding? If I'm mathematically challenged, please let me know. :wave123

[astra]

Hmmmm ... I've never seen a kitchen scale at a pharmacy around here ...
Canadian Tire sells kitchen scale. actually, it is on sale this week (Wed is the last day of sale, I think). It's a good sale price at that.

[iwonka]

We have STATISTICS! I'm not sure if you weigh in metric or not, so I've put both weights here:
Velcro: 98 gr / 3.46 oz.
Sticky: 94 gr / 3.32 oz.
PostIt: 90 gr / 3.17 oz.

If I'm figuring all this out right, they should now be having about 6 cc/ml per feeding? If I'm mathematically challenged, please let me know. :wave123


You got it perfectly! :thumbsup You can go up to 7cc if they wish :)

[AniMom]

They wish!!! :D

They're hungry little critters and getting stronger and more active each day. If I'm a bit late for feeding time, I'll often find all three of them hanging on the cage door vying for position and squeaking "me first!"

Their stools are mostly back to normal, which I guess means one of them is not quite there yet but I don't know which. I'm giving about 1/3 FV now with 2/3 puppy powder and as soon as all stools are normal, I'll start increasing the ratio of FV.

Thanks for the new equipment ... they seem to love the nipples!

[Scooterzmom]

Sounds like they're doing just great! You're obviously a great squammy and squaddy you two :)

I would increase the ratio of FV a bit again even if one still has a bit of loose stools (as long as it's not runny). The puppy milk may be the part causing it - that is usually the case.

I just love the names :D

[AniMom]

Oddly enough, the puppy powder I was able to find here (which nobody from not around here has apparently ever heard of, called Nutrience) has never caused diarhhea with the squirrels ... not with Cloud nor with these babies. They only started to have that problem when I added the Fox Valley to the mix! I guess they're just resistant to change. :shakehead

As for their names, we had to keep them gender neutral because we're not very good at sexing the little critters ... when they were so skinny and shriveled, they all looked like boys but now with fat tummies, things seem to have shifted and we're not sure anymore. Thank goodness that doesn't make a difference in how to help them!

They actually named themselves though. Velcro started it by being bigger, stronger, and CLINGIER ... when he's got hold of you, you can almost hear the "rip" trying to get him off. After that, Sticky (in honour of TSB important notes) seemed pretty appropriate for the middle sized one who, like most middle children, makes his presence known and stands up for himself but is too laid back to jockey for dominant position. Then the littlest guy, who is always a step or two behind and had a much more tenuous hold on life just had to be a lightweight PostIt. On the other hand, PostIt is the ONLY one who will take a nip of my finger if the syringe isn't available fast enough so I guess he's feisty like a lot of little guys.

It's amazing to us how much difference of character each one shows when visually they're hard to tell apart. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though as my own three human children have almost nothing in common besides us! :tilt