New Baby

[Eeka]

Hi everyone, I just discovered this site a couple days ago and just found a baby squirrel 4-5 days ago. I'm typing this from my phone so if it sounds crazy it is the phone talking, not me! My husband and I found him in an abandoned nest with two other babies that unfortunately were dead. I think something attacked them because their faces had been eaten on? This little guy had a little cut on him that has scabbed over but no other injuries. I think he's around 3 weeks old because his eyes are not open yet. I'm having problems getting him to pooh regularly. I started him on KMR until I found this site and switched to the can puppy formula yesterday and my FV order will be here tomorrow. His stools are loose and mustard color when he does go but then doesn't pooh for up to 12 hours again. He poohed about 4 hours ago and had a lot but loose. He seemed like he needed to keep going so I kept stimulating him but nothing happened and when I cleaned him up it looks like a little dark piece is in his anus? Other than the poohing problem he seems happy healthy and active. I've worried about him since he stopped poohing normally and I've got so attached to him I want to do everything I can to make sure he grows up healthy. Sorry if any of this doesn't make sense. I've never really used a forum before and trying to type this on my phone is difficult. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[stepnstone]

The poos are whats expected with kmr, is he hydrated and did you "flush" him
out before transferring to the puppy formula? Or did you just stop the one and start him on the other?
Are you keeping him on heat? He still needs to be with heat at this
age. Cold babys can't process formula correctly.

[Eeka]

Yes he's hydrated, When I got him I had him on pedialyte for around 12 hours and did the skin test on his back and he's good there! I slowly switched over with 3 feedings . That may have not been enough but I kind of freaked out with all the threads saying NO KMR!!! He is on heat. I have a heating pad with a towel under his box set at low. I am using t-shirts in the box since I have no fleece yet. He's currently curled up in my hair right now lol I'm relieved that it's normal with the KMR, I feel awful that I fed it to him. Should I be worried about the little piece stuck in his butt? And thank you for your quick response! I've been so worried about him!

[Rhapsody]

Hang in there and keep doing what you are doing....... feed him 5-7% of his body weight every 4 hours and in time
all this poop issue will work its self out and your little guy will be back on a regular poop routine in no time flat.

[Eeka]

Thank you so much for easing my mind! Just got up and fed him and he pooed a lot! That weird little piece finally came out as well after he pooed. I guess it just got stuck in there but thankfully it's gone now. I hope he doesn't get anymore. Now I just need to get my FV in today!:thankyou:grin2

[Eeka]

Just wanted to give everybody an update. He is pooing normal!!! I got the FV in today along with a HUGE syringe that was supposed to be tiny and some nipples. I cannot seem to find any 1 cc syringes anywhere and this syringe is way too big it made him aspirate on the formula. I ordered extra syringes from Henry's pets but it won't be here until tomorrow. Should I call my vet and get antibiotics just in case it may give him pneumonia? I have been super diligent with the dropper even though he hates it so he won't aspirate and then I get the syringe from FV and it makes him aspirate with the first feeding!!:madd I have a wonderful vet in my hometown around 5 hours away so I would feel better getting it just in case he does get sick. I went to Walgreens and the only syringe they have are 5 cc and it squirts it out way too much and fast so should I just keep the dropper going? It takes a while but I would rather sit all night feeding him then make him sick. Any advice?

[Fireweed]

Use your best judgment - whichever syringe/dropper works best at this time until you can get the 1ccs. :thumbsup Get the antibiotics asap if you can, as well. Better safe than sorry.

When you hold him up to you, do you hear a 'clicking' sound when he breathes?

[farrelli]

Seen the proper feeding technique video?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36777-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

[Eeka]

Farrelli, yes! That's the video I watched before I started feeding him! This board has been a wonderful resource for me and a sanity saver :) I can easily control the syringe if he sits still but that isn't going to happen lol he gets so excited about food that he's everywhere!

I don't hear any clicking when he breaths he does make a sound when he moves his jaw like he's chewing on something? I'm not sure how to describe it but his breathing seems fine. When he did aspirate on the food I turned him over and he sneezed multiple times and I tried to "suck" it out of him like you would a baby and he sneezed a couple more times and didn't have any come out of his nose. I'll call my vet first thing in the morning and see if he can mail me some. I would much rather be safe than sorry. I would be devastated if anything happened to the little guy. I'll use the dropper for tonight and I hope the 1 cc comes in early tomorrow. Thank you so much for all the quick responses everyone!

[stepnstone]

They do not always get pneumonia when they aspirate the first time around.
It IS always a concern and CAN happen!
Sometimes it takes a few days to be evident, just keep a close ear out and
stock the AB's. Always better to be safe then sorry.

[Eeka]

Okay, I'll call my vet as soon as they open. I went to another drugstore and finally found a 1 cc syringe! :wott

I'll keep an ear out for sure and keep you updated. Thanks again!:thankyou:thankyou

[SammysMom]

:Welcomeyou have come to the right place! I just got a notice that Rite Aid is now carrying veterinary meds. Your vet may be able to call or fax in a prescription if you have a local Rite Aid. Also, if you ask the pharmacist if he has a 1cc syringe with no needle for a stray kitten, he may give you one or sell one for very cheap.

[Eeka]

That's great news! That's actually where I went and they gave me a 1 cc syringe for free :) do you know if my vet can get it sent to another town across the state or does it have to be local? I hope it will go through that will make my day so much easier tomorrow!

[SammysMom]

I think it can be called in wherever you need it. Or faxed for that matter.

[Fireweed]

http://www.smileygenerator.us/smileysigns/links/151_23_432_502.0277845001383504218.gif (http://www.smileygenerator.us/smileysigns/links/151_23_432_502.0277845001383504218.gif%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D)

[Eeka]

Sorry for the bad quality and I hope this works from my phone, I do have a computer so if this doesn't work I'll try to upload them on there. The one of him on the washcloth was when we first found him and I'll take a pic of him now for you :) I have lots of pics of him on Facebook if anybody wants to add me let me know!

[Eeka]

I keep waking my husband up with the flash :grin2 but here he is! I've helped lots of baby animals since I was a little kid but this is my first squirrel and he has me completely wrapped around his little paw!!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[lennysmom]

How precious!:Love_Icon The pics are good enough quality to tell what a cutie he is!:) It doesn't take long for them to steal your heart! I love the one of him on your shoulder. :grin

[Eeka]

Thank you! :) he has completely stolen my heart! I'll try to take better pics tomorrow with better lighting and without a snoring husband next to me lol :D

So far breathing is still good. I am such a worrier. I check on him every 2 hours to make sure he's doing okay and no clicking sounds. He's probably getting sick of me waking him up from his dreams but I will be keeping a good check on his breathing and getting some AB from my vet tomorrow.

It's so cute watching him twitch and chirp in his sleep:Love_Icon I hope he will open his eyes soon so I know he is healthy and growing up normally!

[stepnstone]

He's precious! :Love_Icon
For greys eyes pretty much open like clock work at 5 weeks, at least by 6.
You should start seeing a crack in those eye lids soon.
You think your in love with him now, just wait until he looks at you with those
big beautiful round eyes, they will melt your heart! :grin2

[Eeka]

I can't wait to see those beautiful eyes!:grin2:Love_Icon everybody is awake now so here are a couple pics I could get before he got a kick of energy lol

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

He looks chunkier already!!! How cute!!!
What's his name?

[Eeka]

He is growing so fast! I didn't realize it until I looked at his first picture! We decided to name him Henry :)

[Fireweed]

Henry? :Love_Icon He's a doll baby. :)

[Eeka]

He is isn't he?? :D :D

We have one eye open!!!!

[lennysmom]

Oh, Henry is as cute as he can be!! I love eye opening day.:) And you can be one of the first things he ever sees - so special.:Love_Icon

[Eeka]

I'm a little biased but he is just the cutest little guy :grin3:Love_Icon

I had a friend over when he started to open that eye and she thought I was crazy that I was so excited I was crying! Lol I guess some people don't understand! :shakehead :dono