Black Squirrel - Estimating 4-6 weeks old - Not moving much at all, skinny- Need help

[littlecm]

This is only my second squirrel rescue, and my first squirrel I got didn't seem to be this bad. He was found by a colleague yesterday in a tree with no nest around. When I received him last night, I noticed he had fleas and he was VERY skinny. I could feel all of his bones, almost no fat it seemed. He has not been very active at all today. We have a heater near him (we still need this for infant squirrels, right?) and he has moved as close to the heater as possible. But he is sleeping so much.

We have got some pedialtye into him today, but he still isn't very active. I'm just worried because he is SO skinny. My fiancee told me earlier when I was at work that his eyes were open but he wasn't moving and unresponsive for a couple minutes, she honestly thought he had died.

Is there anything more I can do, besides just waiting on the pedialtye to start on formula? I want to get this little fellow back up to par ASAP. I feel like he could go and any moment.

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[lilidukes]

I would put some molasses or syrup on babies gums. Give it
a little sugar boost then if not too severely dehydrated I would
start diluted formula. If really dehydrated are you able to
sub Q fluids??

[Nancy in New York]

Do you want us to try to find a rehabber to help you out?
If you have a heating pad without auto shut off, put that half
under the container that you have him in. Put it on LOW heat.
Do you have a scale?
What type of container do you have him in?
Can you give us a location where you are so we can look for help?

[littlecm]

Okay so I noticed he has started pooping in his cage, and I tried to give him formula today and he took a fair amount, probably around 3-5 cc's. I did 3 parts water to 1 part formula instead of 2 to 1, to ease him on it.

I have him in a box that has fleece kitchen sized towels at the bottom, along with a heating pad on half of the box.

Just wanting to make sure there is nothing else I need to be doing.

[Nancy in New York]

Okay so I noticed he has started pooping in his cage, and I tried to give him formula today and he took a fair amount, probably around 3-5 cc's. I did 3 parts water to 1 part formula instead of 2 to 1, to ease him on it.

I have him in a box that has fleece kitchen sized towels at the bottom, along with a heating pad on half of the box.

Just wanting to make sure there is nothing else I need to be doing.




So you're all set with us not trying to find help?
Sounds like you have this under control.
He is just precious! :Love_Icon

[lilidukes]

Beautiful baby!!!:grouphug

[littlecm]

So you're all set with us not trying to find help?
Sounds like you have this under control.
He is just precious! :Love_Icon

Yes, I am set as far as finding someone else. My 7 month old squirrel just went into the wild a few months ago. I just wanted to make sure there was nothing else I could do for the poor guy. But he is showing signs of improvement, which is a plus plus!

Does anyone know how old he might be? I'll upload better pics shortly.

[littlecm]

Here is a video of the most recent feeding.

I'm guessing he's about 4-5 weeks old? His eyes just opened up when we got him yesterday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz7LFq_ipLo

[Tim]

Is that a 10cc syringe? I'd be very careful you don't aspirate him. I'd also bundle him up to feed him so he's. Not so stressed.

[littlecm]

Is that a 10cc syringe? I'd be very careful you don't aspirate him. I'd also bundle him up to feed him so he's. Not so stressed.

Yes, but I am letting him suck it out, hardly even pushing on it. I used that for my previous squirrel and had no problems at all. I tried to bundle him up previously, but for some reason he doesn't like it :tap

[Nancy in New York]

Can you possibly hold the little one with your left hand and have him on his belly and then he can lap up the formula.
That syringe is really too big. The higher you go with the bigger syringe, the more will come out at once.
Do you have anything smaller?
Do you have any nipples?
What formula are you feeding?
Let me try to find a photo of how I feed just so you can see
the position I have them in at this age.
If you pm me your name and address, I will put some smaller syringes, and nipples
in the mail tomorrow morning.

[littlecm]

Can you possibly hold the little one with your left hand and have him on his belly and then he can lap up the formula.
That syringe is really too big. The higher you go with the bigger syringe, the more will come out at once.
Do you have anything smaller?
Do you have any nipples?
What formula are you feeding?
Let me try to find a photo of how I feed just so you can see
the position I have them in at this age.
If you pm me your name and address, I will put some smaller syringes, and nipples
in the mail tomorrow morning.

I used to have a smaller one at one time, but couldn't find it anywhere. I have a small bottle that I used with my previous squirrel, but this one wouldn't take it yesterday. I'm feeding him fox valley day one (http://www.amazon.com/Formula-Orphaned-Squirrels-Rabbits-Opossums/dp/B00EFX23LM).

Would this (http://www.amazon.com/Syringe-Luer-Slip-Sterile-Pack/dp/B000FMYDLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399953963&sr=8-1&keywords=1+cc+syringe) be a good syringe to get?

[Nancy in New York]

I used to have a smaller one at one time, but couldn't find it anywhere. I have a small bottle that I used with my previous squirrel, but this one wouldn't take it yesterday. I'm feeding him fox valley day one (http://www.amazon.com/Formula-Orphaned-Squirrels-Rabbits-Opossums/dp/B00EFX23LM).

Would this (http://www.amazon.com/Syringe-Luer-Slip-Sterile-Pack/dp/B000FMYDLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399953963&sr=8-1&keywords=1+cc+syringe) be a good syringe to get?

The O ring syringes are much better, they kind of glide and you can use them over and over again.
Leigh will have them and she carries the nipples too.
Also you will want to get a good quality squirrel block, so I suggest the
HHB growth blocks..........they are made fresh and full of everything your
little one needs.
http://www.henryspets.com/


I have tons of syringes if you want, I will send you some 3 cc size and a couple of 1 cc.
Never use a bottle they can aspirate really fast with one. :thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

I'm posting a photo of how I feed a squirrel.
Now remember I had to take the picture, so it looks like
I am strangling him, which I assure you, I'm not.:tilt
Lay him down on something flat on his belly.
Hold his head still until you get the syringe in, and then slowly let him
drink. Always point the syringe up towards the roof of his mouth, so that
you don't aspirate him. The syringe is always lower than the head.

Not sure if this is the best illustration of what I'm saying. I can get
a better picture tomorrow when hubby can take one.
:thumbsup
http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-pFRLtG6/0/M/i-pFRLtG6-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing-2/38695429_GSBZbK#!i=3241620448&k=pFRLtG6&lb=1&s=A)

[farrelli]

In the interim, you can get 1 and 3 CC syringes at most drug stores. They will often give you a couple free if you tell them that you're helping a baby cat.

[farrelli]

Oh, and towels are bad because their nails can snag and break a toe. Fleece, flannel, or t-shirts are better.

Eyes open at five weeks, so he's probably just that old.

Lastly, you know to feed 5-7% of body weight per feeding right?