Lil Rocky (5 week old?) knocked out of a tree, rescued, could use advice!

[toybox]

:tinfoilHi All!
Little "Rocky" (after Bulwinkel and Rocky) a grey approx 4-5 week old male with hair and great long tail was given to me un-injured (unable to join is mother and no tree) at 8 pm.
He has fleas. (I'm thinking Dawn dishsoap bath?? Suggestions)

Unwilling to eat much FV at midnight
Ate like a horse (3cc of FV) at 6 am.
How much FV should he get at 10 am-ish or should I just let him eat till he won't??
Never worked a little guy this small. Anybody got any suggestions on favorite veggie to start with?? Others always liked snap beans at older age???? HHB's of course. Start them now?? Too young?

IR,
Sid's Mom,
Tubedriver,
Kastillo,
Step-n-stone,
Charlie Chuckles...
Helpppppp :grin2 LOL
PS I'll post pictures later today!
PPS Kastillo thank you for the IM. Sorry, I got super busy.

Thanks everybody, in advance!!
TOYBOX

[grampyngramy]

Not sure about the food as I am new to this. But what I can tell you is there will demands for pics. Just a warning. :grin2. Good luck.

[toybox]

:tinfoilAgreed Grampyngramy --When I wrote this a 6 am been up all night "loookiing" after him. I'll do the pics when I can find which end of the camera... Lol:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Make sure he is fully hydrated and warm before feeding. I know you already know that. :tilt
You need to get a weight on him to make sure that you are feeding the proper amount.
5-7% of their body weight at each feeding.
Is he still eyes closed?
Start off with the FV a little diluted 1 part FV to 3 parts water.
Remember to have him on a heating pad, half under the container, and plenty of fleece in the container too,
so if he overheats he can crawl to the top.
Running out for a while will be back on in a half hour or so.
I'm sure others will chime in as well.
:grouphug

edit: Dawn is fine, just make sure you dry him well and get him warm asap,
we don't want to give him a chill.

I don't give them solids for a while, I like to keep them on as much formula as possible
for as long as possible, it's their insurance against MBD. Block would be the first thing you offer,
when it's time.

Never feed them until they stop, they can become bloated. (Such little piggies sometimes. :))

[toybox]

:tinfoilThanks! Eyes are open. He looks in good shape. Don't have a scale for his size... I'll try to get one. Hmmmmm Walgreens maybe?? I was using FV "2 to 1" I'll change that. Fleece is set. Heating pad is set but not on. Constant seven-four degrees in his cage... shoe box with holes closed most of the time. Seems plenty warn?? No? Afraid to over-heat him. Going to a larger box with fleece later today --- cage bars too large at this point. My indoor enclosure is not heat regulated yet like the cage.
I'm listening to all.. Keep helping please.
Toybox:thankyou

[stosh2010]

Remember--
Dark
QUIET !!!
Warm

He has a lot of Gettin' used To...to do

[pappy1264]

Heat needs to be on. Nest is about 104 degrees or more inside in nature. Just make sure he will be able to move on and off as he needs to do to thermoregulate. Walmart has them. You need a digital gram scale. No shoe box, as cardboard is very dehydrating. Pick up a sterilite container or even better, a critter keeper (they have those at any petstore or even walmart. Get the biggest you can get if you get the critter keeper. I actually like the reptile keepers, you can get them at Petco.)

[toybox]

:tinfoilHeating pad 1/2 under fleece blanket - ON.:grin2
What to hydrate with besides FV? Water? I have bottled spring water... or tap, boiled? How much? How often if FV is being given??

[Nancy in New York]

OK you need a gram scale....that should be in the baking/cooking department, it is used for measuring ingredients mostly when baking.
Critter Keepers are good.
You will need a small cage and this is the one that I have.
The bar spacing is excellent, and it makes an ideal travel cage when
going to the vet, and that's a metal bottom, so NO chewing.
I put in a little cube in and tons of fleece.
Same thing with the critter keeper, the fleece I mean.
This way they can crawl up away from the heating pad if it overheats.
I will look for some pictures so you can see both and how I've set them up.

http://www.wayfair.com/Ware-Mfg-Chew-Proof-Guinea-Pig-Cage-661-WFG1599.html

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

TB you any where near Orlando?
You can make your own hydration formula
1 Quart water
3 TB spoons sugar
1 tea spoon salt

If he is dehydrated, if not, give him the bottled water, warm it like you would the formula.

[stepnstone]

Get him out of the shoe box, warmth - hydration - FV .
Your off to a good start on the advice given already,
remember stimulate to potty.
Breathe, you'll do fine! :thumbsup

[island rehabber]

Congratulations, papa toybox! Oh I can just imagine the awesome nest box YOU'RE gonna create for this kid! :grin2

[toybox]

:tinfoilHi... Rocky is out of shoe box into a critter cage with heating 1/2 heat pad on 24/7 fleece all around.
He weighs 83 grams and is getting 3 to 4 cc of FV every 4 hours. Can some convert cc to grams for me??? I'm logging about 10 cc of FV in 12 hours if rule is 5 to 7 percent FV to body weight I might be over feeding ???? He's eating well and climbing the critter cage in the daytime a bit. Out ever four hours...
:grin2
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[lennysmom]

Oh my goodness, Rocky is just absolutely adorable! :Love_Icon
He looks great too! What a good job you are doing with this little one. :thumbsup
Has he stolen your heart yet? :grin2

[Milo's Mom]

The 5-7% of body weight is PER FEEDING not per day.

I have a feeding chart cheat sheet I made on here somewhere. I'll go find it and post it here for you.

[grampyngramy]

Too cute. You can see he will be on the curious side.

[Nancy in New York]

:tinfoilHi... Rocky is out of shoe box into a critter cage with heating 1/2 heat pad on 24/7 fleece all around.
He weighs 83 grams and is getting 3 to 4 cc of FV every 4 hours. Can some convert cc to grams for me??? I'm logging about 10 cc of FV in 12 hours if rule is 5 to 7 percent FV to body weight I might be over feeding ???? He's eating well and climbing the critter cage in the daytime a bit. Out ever four hours...
:grin2
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He's adorable. :Love_Icon
You would feed approximately 4 - 6 cc's every 4 hours. Never let him go longer than 6-7 hours through the night. If your last feeding is 12:00, feed again at 6-7 in the morning.
He looks to be in good shape, but he's small.
He has to be at least 5 weeks old, I am guessing more like 6-7.
How tall is the critter cage? What is the bar spacing on the cage?
Please make sure he has PLENTY of fleece or something SOFT in case he falls. They are quite
unsteady at this age, and will try crazy things, like trying to jump, never allow that. :tilt

[kcassidy]

MM gave me the cheatsheet last year, here it is.

[Milo's Mom]

MM gave me the cheatsheet last year, here it is.

Thank you!!! :thankyou:bowdown I got sidetracked with an escapee and preparing breakfast bowls for everyone and am just getting back right now.

[toybox]

:tinfoil
MM, KCassidy, Grampa, Nancy, Thanks All ! Looks like I'm on the money (bit low) with 4cc this morning. OHHH yes I'm doing only 4 to 5 hours between feedings...:sleep. The 1' ish x 2'ish critter cage is closed and inside my roller cage - no chance of him getting out. Plenty of fleece and heating pad. (Perfect idea Nancy and Pappy.) Picture of Cage below. He's in there somewhere!
Toybox :grin2

[toybox]

:tinfoilCouple more pictures... Critter Cage, Fleece and heating pad look better in person.
Say "Cheese" Rocky!
Toybox
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[Nancy in New York]

:tap Did someone forget the pictures? :poke
edit: That's better........:grin2

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

put ur glasses on Nancy, I saw the pictures

[Nancy in New York]

Precious little Rocky. :Love_Icon
Looking Great!

[toybox]

:tinfoilHi, Here's where I am tonight 9:30 pm. Weighed him yesterday at 83 grams. This afternoon he's at 90 g. Course I'm putting 6 cc's of FV 3 to 1 in him every four or so hours. He nearly rips the syringe out of my hand for the first 3cc's then goes crazy for the second 3 cc's then flat stops.. He's ready to explore or sleep depending on his mood but refuses anything but maybe 1 cc more. He's got teeth, really kinda want to start him on HHB's or veggies but won't until I get the "go ahead"?
I think maybe as Nancy and others said maybe he's 6 or 7 weeks and the runt of the litter???? Seems likely?
Any ideas on the care please let us know! -- Wife and I (and Rocky) are having a ball.
:poke !!
I want to thank Mr Nuttsy Noodleman (over the Rainbow Bridge - sniff), Spiffy, and Little Faraday (who still visits) for starting this grand love fest... heeheehee
Thank you all, most of all Squirrel Lovers - Yu'r the Best!!
Toybox and the Mrs.!:thankyou

[Nancy in New York]

I will write more tomorrow, but I did want you to know that you can go to 1 part Fox Valley to 2 parts water.
WOW the weight gain is excellent!
He is one lucky little squirrel to find his way to you.

[toybox]

:tinfoilRocky was already up this morning for his 7 am feeding! :tilt

Four and a half hours since his last (as you can tell by my spelling..):) Seven cc's of 3 to 1 FV. Will change to 2 to 1 next feeding - thanks Nancy.

He seems very happy to "explore" a bit after feeding. He only took 3 cc's of FV at his 2:30 AM but seemed ready to eat by this 7AM feeding.

He won't take any water... doesn't seem to like it, but I guess that's fine if he's good with the FV?
:thankyou Toybox
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[Nancy in New York]

I'm so glad he is doing so well, I knew he would with you.
For the first two feeding, go with 1 part FV and 2 1/2 parts water, and
then go to 1 part FV to 2 parts water. Just a little transition with the first 2 feedings.
IF you notice anything where he seems bloated or not pooping as much, just do a tad
more water.
At this age he should be able to handle the FV at full strength, but we just like
to watch just in case. :grin2
We need more pictures......while your at it! :grin2

[toybox]

:tinfoilHi Everyone! Few more pictures this morning! He weighed in at 92 grams yesterday from his start at 83. Drank 7cc of 2 1/2 to 1 FV at 7 this morning. Promptly pee'd on the feeding fleece last night and politely poo'ed on me still morning before play time and then went back to bed. Can you tell he's a :squirrel1? :poke:poke:poke
Here's pictures,
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[Nancy in New York]

:tinfoilHi Everyone! Few more pictures this morning! He weighed in at 92 grams yesterday from his start at 83. Drank 7cc of 2 1/2 to 1 FV at 7 this morning. Promptly pee'd on the feeding fleece last night and politely poo'ed on me still morning before play time and then went back to bed. Can you tell he's a :squirrel1? :poke:poke:poke
Here's pictures,
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OMG he is TOO cute for words!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek :Love_Icon :eek :grin2

[MJS]

WHAT A PRETTY BOY!!! :thumbsup :Love_Icon

[stosh2010]

BABY in the HOUSE.............Oh Yeah !!!!!!!!!!!!

[joyceb11]

OMG he is absolutely adorable :Love_Icon

[toybox]

:tinfoilHi All... Okay may have a problem!!

Rocky only ate 2 cc of FV 2 1/2 to 1 at his 2:30 AM feeding then was up again for his 7 AM feeding but only want about 1 cc. Still pooped well at 2:30 AM and showered daughter #1 with pee at 10:30 last night. He was very active this morning at play time and played a-bit in his cage before going back to bed. Time to start HHB's and Veggies or stretch his feeding times??? Or do nothing?
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[PeeWee's Mom]

What a sweet angel! Good job!!

[toybox]

:tinfoilOkay I think we are good again.. (Nervous Parent)..:poke He ate 8 cc at 10 AM and that's max for him for his 96 grams according to the "cheat sheet".
He poo'ed and pee'd a lot during playtime... don't think it was plugged up because he also did it during his 2 AM and 7 AM feedings where he wouldn't eat much.
When should start stretching out the night feeding and start moving toward solid foods ????

Toybox

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Now Poppy, HHbs to chew on are great, dont give him any nuts, he wont eat the good stuff if you do, start him with just block, you can get the Kaytee in the blue bag for rats at the pet store, or monkey biscuits and Mauzri ( made by Purina) and HHb's are all on line, these sites have everything you need for the next couple of weeks then start orange slices and greens.

https://www.squirrelsandmore.com/

http://henryspets.com/

[HRT4SQRLS]

Toy box,
I haven't posted here yet but I wanted you to know that I was SO happy when you got little Rocky. I know he is in very caring, loving and capable hands. :thumbsup

You can stretch the feeding out to about 6 hour intervals now, especially if he's taking less per feeding. He's about 6 weeks, right? At his age you don't have to get up at night to feed him. He's OK! :thumbsup I would feed his last feeding late (say maybe 11PM) and I would feed him again in the morning early (say 6AM).

You can start giving him block now. He will play with it mostly, then crumble it but he will start getting the idea that he can eat it also. Don't give him any nuts. If he tastes nuts now he will never like blocks. Keep giving him the formula for as long as he will take it. My overwinter started slowing up on the formula around 8-9 weeks and then totally stopped at about 10 weeks. I would have preferred that she take it longer but NOPE no more formula.

ToyBox, Rocky is adorable! :grin2

Edit: I type slow SSM. :)

[farrelli]

Hey Toybox! Sorry, I just got your PM. I'm pretty unavailable on weekends what with work and chores. I see that things have resolved themselves and you're getting great advice. Yes, seems that a lot of people will put in some Kaytee blocks at between 6-8 weeks so that they have something solid to gnaw on. Once they actually start eating them, then it's a good idea to move them to a better quality (more expensive) block like Henry's. And like everyone said, make sure he's eating his Henry's well before you introduce veggies, and then once those are being consumed, then fruits and nut treats. If he gets the junk food first, he'll never want to eat healthy.

And yes, he is adorable!

[sqrlmum]

When should start stretching out the night feeding and start moving toward solid foods ????

Once he's hydrated, eating well, and eliminating with no issues, I would let him go a good 7 hours overnight. Currently I have 8 kids, and I feed them around 1am and them again around 8a, and every 4 hours during the day (it takes me a good 30 minutes to get everyone fed as I have a little guy with an icky butt that needs extra attention). I put a water bottle in with the big guys as well as a handful of the critter cubes (dry) and some picked-over (by me) rodent mix (corn, sunflower seeds, etc., in very small amounts). Remember that he's diurnal, and will be most active around sunrise and sunset; don't be alarmed if he's not waking up to eat at night or napping during the day as he's a growing lad! Also put a little potty in one side of the cage, and when you're done with the FV you can plop him on the potty to eliminate. I will stimulate them to pee on a paper towel and put it the pee-pee paper towel on a stacked-up square of newspaper cut to fit in the corner of the cage - they'll go right on it (usually) from then on and not in their bedding. He looks awesome - great job!

[toybox]

:tinfoilThanks for all the advice.. I have the HHB's and well understand squirrels are well suited to be "kids". Give them "a treat" and the good stuff that's good for them is "out the window". Great advice on when to start HHB's and when to cut back on 2 AM Feedings....:poke:thumbsup!! He's 102 grams (last night). Up from 83 grams when I got him! Thanks to all of you l!! :grouphug

Oh!... Would you care to see what you've created? hee hee hee

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