First timer - could use some advice

[Eileen]

Found a squirrel that I'm assuming fell from a nest. There had been another one a week before (pink), and hoped that the mother would come and get it. That one passed away. The second squirrel I took home to care for. She has been with me for 2 days and I have researched A LOT. Gave her pedialyte the first day with a baby medicine dropper. Now I am giving her puppy milk replacement formula, first bottle 2 hours ago. She was pooping and peeing (with assistance) the first day and a half, but has not pooped today. Should I be worried? Also, except when she is sleeping, (mostly in my shirt) she has started making little newborn baby squeaks. Is that normal?

[farrelli]

Welcome!

Firstly, no bottles. Here is a link with video to proper feeding technique: head pointed down, SYRINGE pointed up.

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

Secondly, what kind of formula are you using? Hopefully either Fox Valley or Esbilac powdered puppy formula with probiotics on the label (pictured on the right, the one on the left is the old kind which isn't good).

How much and how often are you feeding? You should feed 5-7% of bodyweight at each feeding, schedule based on age. Can you post a pic so that we can gauge age?

Do you have her container half on a heating pad set on low so that she can get off if too hot? Young ones don't produce their own heat efficiently.

Do you have a kitchen scale to weigh her? It's very important. It tells you how much to feed, how she's progressing, and helps us dose drugs if necessary.

[SammysMom]

Welcome to TSB!!!:Welcome
If you are still using the eye dropper, please try to get a 1cc syringe. Very often a pharmacist will give you a couple of them if you say it is for an abandoned kitten. It is very important to prevent the baby from aspirating the formula and it is very easy to have happen with a dropper. NEVER use a small baby bottle like is used for kittens or puppies.
What formula are you using? I ask because not all puppy formulas are created equal for squirrels. If you can get Esbilac powdered formula it is best. It has to be the one that says "now with probiotics and prebiotics" or something to that effect on the can itself. The premixed (liquid) formulas often cause loose stool which can be quite dangerous to them.
Do you have the baby on a heat source? A heating pad with no automatixc shut-off set on low under half of the container the baby is in is best. Did you hydrate the baby before giving anything else to drink? Can you take a picture and post it here so we can get a better idea of age? You can email it to me at vfwpost7666@sbcglobal.net or text it to me at (203) 214-7427

[farrelli]

Btw, Not pooping right away is fine. Make sure the belly is soft and squishy like a partially filled water balloon, not hard and round.

I'm concerned about the squeaks. Squeaks are fine but clicking is very bad. It can be pneumonia caused by aspiration of formula (thus no bottles). Always listen very closely when breathing for any clicking sounds at all. Here's a very advanced case for you to hear:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32290-Pneumonia-video

[Eileen]

I bought the Esbilac with prebiotics this morning (powder). Yes I have her box half on/off a heating pad set to low (no auto shut off). She has not yet opened her eyes, but is very active today, compared to yesterday. And she does have bottom 2 teeth. I will attempt to upload a pic. Thank you both so much :)

[Eileen]

As for the sound, it's not like the clicking in the video (I watched it this morning). It's more like urr...hard to explain. But only when she is climbing around, not when at rest.

[farrelli]

Then the sound is probably OK. It might take even a couple days for the poops. As long as she pees and is well hydrated, things will probably be right on track. She is peeing well, right? The first poops will probably be blackish, but turn a golden color from the Esbilac. Whitish means overfeeding. Do you have a weight and a scale? If, for example, she's 100g, she would get 5-7CCs per feeding, about every four hours. It's always 5-7% of body weight, a bit more later on if she wants it and handles it well.

[farrelli]

Btw, where in ON are you?

Later on, rodent blocks will be needed but the best blocks most people here use are expensive to ship to Canada (though less than the website quotes:

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

So, this is what many Canadians seem to get who are on a budget:

http://www.chinchilla.ca/detail.php?ProductID=HT201805

Just wanted to put that out there for future reference because it always seems to come up.

Many people start putting blocks in at 6-8 weeks for them to start getting used to and nibbling on.

[farrelli]

Oh, and I notice that the pic was taken outside. Maybe it's when you found her, but just in case, we recommend that squirrels never be taken outside until they're ready for release. We also recommend that you take every precaution that they not escape outside (window screens might as well not even exist). We have seen way too many escapes and far too many outside visits go horribly wrong.

[Eileen]

I'm in Brampton (not far from Toronto). She is peeing when I hold her and dab with a warm wet cotton ball. It is only a few drops, what should I expect? I have not taken her outside since I found her. I do not have a scale that small, but will see if I can find one.

[farrelli]

Oh, I thought you realized that you had to stimulate them at this age. Take a warm wet cotton ball and flick the genitalia repeatedly, it may take awhile. Some people use a wet finger, or an lubed finger. You're trying to simulate a mother's tongue. Some people do it before, after, or even during a feeding. Every sq is different. Some won;t eat without going first, some will eat some,and then want to go in the middle before eating more. You've just got to figure out her nature.

You can get scales everywhere, Target, Walmart, often Shoppers or Canadian Tire, etc. They're usually around $20-30.

Check her hydration. You should be getting more than a few drops. This is why knowing how much she's taking in is important. Is she getting that 5-7% on the schedule I mentioned? Gently pinch the skin between her shoulders and see if it tents or goes right back down (it should) like on the back of your hand. If dehydrated, you may need to give her some water in between feedings.

[farrelli]

Btw, I know where Brampton is. I've been to TO a million times, same with K-W. I'm currently trying to immigrate to Northern Ontario - Sudbury, maybe SSM, NB, or even Thunder Bay.

[farrelli]

Here;s a video one of our members (Pappy) did showing ho to potty:

http://s172.photobucket.com/user/pappy1264/media/018_zps91c1ea7d.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0

[Eileen]

Just weighed her. She is 63 grams. So I should feed her just over 3 cc I believe. The last 2 feedings I gave her 2 cc because I was afraid of over feeding her, but next feeding I will give her 3. Thanks for all your help

[farrelli]

The minimum would be 3.15CCs, but you can very safely go to 4.41CCs. Most people try for more than less. The formula should be very warm, almost hot. A Sq's body temp is 102 degrees F (38.9 degrees C) and they expect their formula to be about that warm. A syringe can cool quickly though, so most people float a small plastic cup of formula in some hot water or put the syringes in plastic and submerge them. If you have a nipple, leakage isn;t as big an issue and the sq will like you more. :)

[Eileen]

I have another question to anyone available. I'm probably going to have many :)
Do baby squirrel ' s sleep a lot naturally? Or should I be concerned?

[SammysMom]

Just like human babies, they sleep a whole lot! Is the noise you were worried about more of a purring like a cat or a soft grunting sound?

[Eileen]

The noise is hard to explain. It's not purring, kind of grunting like a newborn human baby might do.

[Eileen]

The noise is hard to explain. It's not purring, kind of grunting like a newborn human baby might do. Though only when she's crawling around. When she's still, while sleeping or being washed, she's quiet.

[SammysMom]

If it is grunting, it is just a happy baby noise...:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

Eileen, one of my baby squirrels made an 'oinking' sound. It was the funniest thing. She is an adult now and has been released. She will get on my shoulder now and ... Yep, she still oinks. When I had several releases visiting me, I could always tell who she was by her 'oink'. :grin2

[ques96]

I bought the Esbilac with prebiotics this morning (powder). Yes I have her box half on/off a heating pad set to low (no auto shut off). She has not yet opened her eyes, but is very active today, compared to yesterday. And she does have bottom 2 teeth. I will attempt to upload a pic. Thank you both so much :)

If the box you mentioned above is cardboard it can cause dehydration. A small plastic tote (with the lid off) would be a better option.

[farrelli]

She will sleep less and be MUCH more active (getting into everything) when her eyes open at five weeks. Be warned that she will spook easily at first.

[Eileen]

@Ferrelli Thank you for mentioning I can have her go to the bathroom before feeding her, it's made a big difference :)
I got her some small nipple and she is taking to it wonderfully. Happy baby..happy me ♡

[Eileen]

If the box you mentioned above is cardboard it can cause dehydration. A small plastic tote (with the lid off) would be a better option.

Thank you...I didn't realize. Will move her

[Eileen]

Hi everyone..I have another question, I really appreciate all your help. So...how do I know if she is getting enough to eat? She'll often keep rooting around for more milk after the syringe is empty. But then she snuggles up to me and go to sleep. She is drinking 4 cc.

[SammysMom]

How much does she weigh in grams?

[farrelli]

Like I said, at 63g, the rule is 3.15CCs to 4.41CCs, but some people give a bit more as long as poops are OK and there is not bloat.

[SammysMom]

It is very important to weigh quite often as they gain at what may be an alarming rate sometimes. Then you have to refigure the feeding amount with each gain. I was shocked by how much mine have gained over the course of a day or two!:eek

[Eileen]

Ok. Thank you :)

[Eileen]

Can squirrels get hiccups?

[SammysMom]

Yep...

[Eileen]

I'm worried..she has been twitching every few seconds for about 5 minutes

[Eileen]

And she squeaked. Which she has not done before

[Eileen]

This is like being a new mom all over again.

[SammysMom]

Can you take a video of this?

[Eileen]

Ok..I will try

[Eileen]

Having trouble uploading video.

[CritterMom]

Having trouble uploading video.

You need to upload someplace like youtube and give us the link.

[Eileen]

Can you take a video of this?
Peanut hiccups: http://youtu.be/KsNNkotKJUA

[TubeDriver]

Peanut hiccups: http://youtu.be/KsNNkotKJUA

31 seconds into that video, I hear a distinct clicking noise.

Can you listen carefully to Peanut and see if you hear regular clicking when he breaths?


That hiccup could be a sneeze.

[Eileen]

I believe it was a sneeze...I have been listening for clicking as I had watched the video of the squirrel that has pneumonia. I will make another video without my daughters music playing in the background.

[farrelli]

Twitching is pretty normal. I hear no squeaks. I think the click was an artifact from the camera, possibly being shifted.

[SammysMom]

If you hold him up to your ear like a phone and listen it would be a click with every breath. Coming from the lungs, not his mouth.

[CritterMom]

Yeah, babies twitch a lot as they sleep - I recall thinking "I know why they tossed you out of the nest!" when my little guy was asleep.

[Eileen]

This has been very reassuring, thank you. I definitely do not hear any clicking when I hold her up near my ear. Good night all :)

[SammysMom]

Good night! God job with your baby too!!!:Love_Icon

[Eileen]

Hi everyone. The baby is doing well. Eating great. I have another question...big surprise :)
Can squirrel ' s get constipated? She had a hard poop this morning when she got up and then ate 4.5ml. Now I've taken her to the bathroom again. She is peeing but did not poop and doesn't want to eat.

[farrelli]

Yes, and it can be dangerous, even life threatening. Make sure her belly is soft and squishy like a partially filled water balloon, not hard and round. Dehydration is the primary cause of constipation, so hydrate well. You may want to give a bit of apple or prune juice. Sugar draws water into the gut, and both also contain sorbitol, which is a gentle laxative. You can also massage her belly and sides to get things moving. A couple drops of veg oil can help too. If things get really bad, or you think she'd be ok with it, you can also submerge their lower half in a warm batch and you massage them that way.

[Eileen]

Hi everyone. Just a quick update. Peanut has opened her eyes and is much more active now. Eating like a champ and doing wonderful :)

[SammysMom]

That is wonderful news!!! Keep up the good work!

[Eileen]

Hi all. Everything has been going really well. Peanut is now approximately 8 weeks. She is eating solid foods, which I have been taking from the chart you advised on. She is still having 3 bottles a day and also eats Rodent Blocks. I have noticed her energy level is higher than ever, and although I allow her lots of time out of the cage for playtime...I think she needs another squirrel to socialize/play with. Does anyone know of someone in or near Brampton (close to Toronto), that takes care of Squirrels?

[farrelli]

You could PM Squirrelfriend who's in Mississauga, she's great. And there's also runestonez who I think is in Guelph.

[Eileen]

Great. Thanks so much.

[squirrelfriend]

I can take her.

[squirrelfriend]

I pmed my phone number. I'm in Mississauga. I'm just the next town over. I can pick her up right away I have fox valley formula.

[farrelli]

Please let us know how it goes SF! I hope she responds.

[squirrelfriend]

Please let us know how it goes SF! I hope she responds.

I haven't heard anything yet.

[squirrelfriend]

She pmed me as to when to call. I am just waiting for the call so that I can pick her up.

[farrelli]

I hope she's doing well.

[squirrelfriend]

Me too. Still waiting for call. I hope all is well.

[Eileen]

I am so sorry everyone, I didn't realize comments had been added. Peanut is doing well and I have been private messaging with Wendy. I am having a hard time at the thought of releasing her or giving her up, even though I do feel like she would be better off. I hadn't expected to create such a strong bond with her. I do have a question for anyone who has time: I've noticed her doing a grinding/chattering with her teeth recently. What could this be?

[Eileen]

Also...she is trying to eat anything she can get her paws on when I have her out. Pens, paper, human food and makes angry noise when I take it away from her. Is that normal?

[Eileen]

Peanut won't take a bottle for the last 2 days. She is still eating the Rodent Blocks and lettuce, but wants nothing to do with the bottle. I have not changed formula or syringe/nipple. She won't take it at all.

[pjjere]

I wouldn't worry as long as she is eating solid foods well. She is growing up. :) Re chewing stuff. Make sure she has plenty of tree branches, pinecones, etc. to chew on. Maybe a new (safe) stuffie to maim and torture. One thing we did for Nutkin was put a large pot with dirt in it in her play area. She loved making a mess and digging in the dirt. Good luck!

[Eileen]

That's great. Thanks so much!! :)

[squirrelfriend]

The behaviour is normal. The grinding chattering is her grinding down her teeth. Rodents teeth grow constantly so they have to grind them regularly or they will get too long. It sounds like she is weaning. Squirrels like to sample everything. Especially furniture! :grin2 As someone else posted give her branches and such to chew on.

yes, I can still take her. We will arrange a time that is good for both of us. I can't wait to see her.