First Post

[BDupuy1]

Hi everyone. =]

So I have been lurking here and mainly just researching up on things since I joined last week. I do not have any squirrels at the moment but I was appointed this site because I am looking into becoming a subpermittee wildlife rehabilitator in my state for small mammals. I have compiled a list of some things if you guys don't mind helping me with.

Okay lets start

Fox Valley Day-one formula 32/40:
Feed until 5 weeks, then gradually switch to 20/50. What is the best way of gradually switching? Should you just substitute one feeding with 32/40 and one feeding 20/50, and so forth until you've completely switched to 20/50?

Fox Valley Day-one formula 20/50:
Pretty explanatory shows 4weeks+

Fox Valley Ultraboost:
Okay this one shows you can mix with formulas or solid foods to help gain weight. What I did not see was exactly
how much of this would you mix into the formula/solid foods. How often you should give to them? What weight range would you need to supplement ultraboost, is it only for severly underweight ones?

LA-200 Probiotics:
I understand this is to help their digestive system. Says can be used for animals that have not had colostrum from their mother and is recommended for use during and after antibiotics. It says you can supplement formulas, water, or electrolyte solution. What I would like to know is how often would you supplement? Do you continue until they reach a certain age then stop unless they are needing antibiotics?

That's the only questions I have about the formulas for now but I do have more questions! =D

So general feeding patterns is:

under 1 week: every 2 hours - 1cc
1 week: every 3 hours - 2cc
2 weeks: every 3-4 hours - 2-3cc
3 weeks: every 3-4 hours - 4-5.5cc
4 weeks: every 4 hours - 6-9cc
5 weeks: every 4 hours - 10-12cc
6 weeks: every 5 hours - 12-14cc

and you can figure out a more accurate cc amount for your specific squirrel with the 5-7% feeding rule by multiplying the percentage by the amount the squirrel weighs in grams.

When feeding you want to always have the syringe going up to the side of the mouth and not going down to the squirrel so you don't asphyxiate him and always plunge slowly, very slow.

When using the 1cc syringe for the ones under 5weeks old or 3cc syringe for more than 5 weeks do you suggest I use the silicone mothering nipple also or not use it at all?

Once they reach close to 8 weeks and they will be getting close to the time they normally wean themselves
off the formula, is Henry's Hi-protein block the one I should use? Do I continue adding henrys protein block everyday with other nutrition up until 5 months where they will then be switched to the adult blocks?

The basic setup for the babies is a sterilite plastic container, a lid with holes, a heater with no shutoff on low setting on half of the container, fleece or tshirt, a small baby food jar with a sponge and water to help with humidity.

Baby is placed opposite of heat mat and food jar with water sponge is placed on side with mat?
Do you have an exact temp range the heat mat should be at or just leaving on low is sufficient enough without monitoring?
Do you place the lid on the food jar with holes or do you leave the lid off?
At what age do you not need the food jar anymore?
Is it at 10 weeks when you move them to a cage?
What is a good age that they can be released back into the wild?

Some basic red flags are:
bloating - overfeeding, too many air bubbles in formula, constipation.
dehydration - loose skin not snapping back immediately,
asphyxiation - feeding wrongly, can cause pneumonia if it gets in lungs, listen for clicking.
diarrhea - overfeeding, too often, parasites, etc...
Hypoglycemia - feedings too far apart, spasms, gasp for breath.
cold to touch - don't feed until warmed

Okay thanks guys at the moment that's the only questions I have, sorry if it seems like a lot at once lol I just don't want to assume even if it may seem minuscule , I like having the exact facts. =]


If anyone has any added tips please let me know!

[Cesta]

Hi there and welcome! I see lots have looked at your post but you haven't had any responders. I'm going to use it like a pop quiz to test my own knowledge and perhaps let someone more experienced than me come behind and add their two cents and fix any misinformation. So please know I'm NOT an expert around here!! Fox Valley Day-one formula 32/40:
The consensus here seems to be NOT to use FV 32/40- EVER. The advice I've seen from the experienced rehabbers is to start with Esbilac (the new Esbilac with pre/probiotics-- usually with added heavy whipping cream) There are problems w/ FV 32/40.
Before feeding a new baby formula it has to be 1st WARM and only then REHYDRATED with either pedialyte or a homemade rehydration mixture. Then start a dilute formula and work up to full strength.

Fox Valley Day-one formula 20/50:
Pretty explanatory shows 4weeks+- yep! Gradually switch from the Esbilac to the FV 20/50.

Fox Valley Ultraboost:
Sorry, this one idk-- I haven't used it. I use heavy cream or full fat yogurt for extra fat if needed. It's always worked with no tummy issues, but I've dealt with relatively healthy babies. Only one was truly starving and even he came around without this stuff.

LA-200 Probiotics:
Again, I've not used this, nor have I seen mention of it on the TSB board. You will see a lot of mention of the full fat yogurt. Probiotics are great, I'm not sure they have to be this specific type, though.

That's the only questions I have about the formulas for now but I do have more questions! =D

Feeding questions: YES

When feeding you want to always have the syringe going up to the side of the mouth and not going down to the squirrel so you don't asphyxiate him and always plunge slowly, very slow.
Not sure what you mean about "side of the mouth" but there is a great sticky with a video of Stosh syringe feeding a squirrel the proper way. I would absolutely recommend watching it. You always want your baby upright and the syringe coming from below. Watch the video. :)

When using the 1cc syringe for the ones under 5weeks old or 3cc syringe for more than 5 weeks do you suggest I use the silicone mothering nipple also or not use it at all? I like the miracle nipples, honestly I haven't had much luck with the mini ones, except for tiny pinkies. I like the regular sized ones. I know a lot of people like the silicone mothering nipples. Many years ago I didn't know about nipples and feeding with a straight syringe was doable but more difficult. Make sure your syringes are O-ring.

Once they reach close to 8 weeks and they will be getting close to the time they normally wean themselves
off the formula, is Henry's Hi-protein block the one I should use? Do I continue adding henrys protein block everyday with other nutrition up until 5 months where they will then be switched to the adult blocks? Don't rush to wean them. The milk is an excellent source of calcium. My 12 weekers LIVE for their bottle feedings, they love it. I bottle fed my squirrel, Jasper, for 6 months! Mine also eat blocks but prefer milk. But to answer your question, yes give the high protein blocks, break in half at first because they tend to crumble them more than eat them. Switch to the adult blocks at 5-6 months, if they don't care for them you can get the picky eater blocks or make your own (recipes on this site). You can also make boo balls, which is the only way my squirrels will eat regular blocks, and I can't afford to feed $20 bags of blocks each week. Recipes for those are on this site as well. Use the recommended squirrel diet (on this site) to plan your squirrels daily food intake.

The basic setup for the babies is a sterilite plastic container, a lid with holes, a heater with no shutoff on low setting on half of the container, fleece or tshirt, a small baby food jar with a sponge and water to help with humidity. Yes- lots of fleece for them to nest in. Use a drill to make lots of small holes in the container, not just the lid, because I'm paranoid. I now keep a small fleece filled container in my car in case of emergency. :thumbsup When they outgrow the small Sterilite container, I move them to a bigger one, and then to a real cage (indoors), and finally outdoors on a covered patio. When it's time to release the patio cage goes outside and becomes the release cage.

Someone might have more advice on the jar with the sponge-- I thought you used a coffee cup with a really wet sponge inside, not a small container with a small sponge and extra water. But I could be wrong. I've never done this. When I raised pinkies many years ago I didn't have this advice, and I live in a super humid state, and it was summer, so it wasn't as much of an issue. If your baby has fur it doesn't really need the extra moisture.

Baby is placed opposite of heat mat and food jar with water sponge is placed on side with mat?- Yes, baby will move to heat if cold. Make sure there is lots of fleece betweeen the baby and bottom of the container. Try to make a nest so that the baby can't burrow under all the fleece and lay right on top of the plastic that's right over the heat.
Do you have an exact temp range the heat mat should be at or just leaving on low is sufficient enough without monitoring? I know many monitor the temp of their box but I don't. I just keep my heating pad on the lowest setting and make sure it's 1/2 on and 1/2 off the heat. Someone else may have more info on this.
Do you place the lid on the food jar with holes or do you leave the lid off? I'm going to let someone else answer this... :poke
At what age do you not need the food jar anymore? My understanding is little pinkies dry out easily. When they are furred, they can hold moisture and don't need the extra humidity.

Is it at 10 weeks when you move them to a cage? It depends on your babies and how many are in the container. If you have five in a plastic box they aren't gonna make it in there for 10 weeks w/o killing each other (not literally!!). I move mine when they look like they're going 'stir crazy' in the box, when they are really furry and don't need to be on heat anymore, and when I'm sure they are safe to climb in a small cage and not fall and hurt themselves. I usually do it at around 8 weeks. I give them lots and lots of fleece and beds and places to snuggle if they get cold. Feel their skin frequently to make sure they're holding their body temp, if they're not they may need to go back in the incubator box for a week or so more.
What is a good age that they can be released back into the wild? I'll let someone else give more expert advice, but I've read here that the minimum age is 14 weeks and WHEN THEY CAN CRACK A WALNUT. :grin3 I have an 8 month old in a release cage now because he was over-wintered (and I :Love_Icon him and seriously struggled with actually letting him go!) But the two sets of babies I have now will be released before the end of summer, when they are 4-5 months old.

Some basic red flags are:
bloating - overfeeding, too many air bubbles in formula, constipation. Yes. I was having recurring bloat problems and I really think (and experienced TSB members concurred) that my home water filter was a big part of the problem.) I switched to bottled water and went to straight FV 20/50 instead of half FV half Esbilac and they've been fine since.
dehydration - loose skin not snapping back immediately,- yes, do the tent test-- lots of info on the board about this Don't feed Pedialyte and formula together.
asphyxiation - feeding wrongly, can cause pneumonia if it gets in lungs, listen for clicking. Yes, and it's deadly,if it happens turn your baby upside down and let the milk run out. I actually suck on their little face while they're upside down to try and suction out anything that's in there. (Much to the disgust of my family :eek) If you hear clicking your baby needs antibiotics pronto, don't delay. Get on here and you will get help.
diarrhea - overfeeding, too often, parasites, etc... I don't have much experience with this, will let someone else chime in.
Hypoglycemia - feedings too far apart, spasms, gasp for breath. Ditto to above.
cold to touch - don't feed until warmed- :thumbsup Absolutely. It's a must. You'll kill a baby if you feed it when it's cold.

:Welcome I mainly answered these to see if I could. I think you've not gotten a response because almost all of this information can be easily found on the board, usually on a "sticky" under the appropriate category. The experts here are so busy answering actual emergency questions they don't have time to respond to this kind of list (I'm not trying to be unkind, just truthful! :glomp) But I'm a relative newbie so I'll welcome you and take some time to answer the best I can. :) HOWEVER, IF and WHEN you have a real life situation, THIS IS THE PLACE TO COME, AND PEOPLE WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, AND QUICKLY! :serene

[Nancy in New York]

This thread is from March 24th and never noticed, yes like you said Cesta MANY looked but did NOT respond. :shakehead
I moved this to the non emergency section, and I hope that all is well with his squirrel.
Thank you for responding and not just passing by!!!!!!!!
Seems you covered everything perfectly! Thank you!

Again, I would like to reiterate.
ANYONE can post in ANY thread.
We welcome ALL help, even if it is just to provide
a link, please do it! :thumbsup

[stosh2010]

This short 2 minute video will help when you get to feed your first baby squirrel. Remember slow as you go, constantly observing your baby as you feed. Keep a cup of warmed water with your extra syringes in it. Their body temp is several degrees warmer than ours, so they expect the formula to be about 102 degrees. If they hesitate on swallowing-you stop or slow down your pressure on the syringe. Observation = Protection
USE O-ring syringes only...the cheaper, single use syringes tend to stick or jam when used more that once and are a contributing factor to aspiration.
Feeding too fast , or at the improper angle, can cause a baby to ASPIRATE, or suck fluids into their lungs...then you can have problems. {This can result in aspiration pneumonia-- symptoms include a "clicking" noise when breathing----which will require antibiotics}
If the baby chokes-- or sneezes formula out of his nose...immediately invert the baby, head towards the floor, supporting the entire body, squirrel's belly towards the palm of your hand,(not dangling from his legs--like in a cartoon) and give many short, light taps on back,(30-40 rapid, light taps), this can usually clear the air way and they spit the formula back up, out of their mouth. This must be done immediately ! Waiting, even one minute, allows the liquids to travel down the throat and into the lungs.

http://s990.photobucket.com/user/stoshman2010/media/VID_00000068_zps7bc0be10.mp4.html

[Cesta]

This thread is from March 24th and never noticed, yes like you said Cesta MANY looked but did NOT respond. :shakehead
I moved this to the non emergency section, and I hope that all is well with his squirrel.
Thank you for responding and not just passing by!!!!!!!!
Seems you covered everything perfectly! Thank you!

Again, I would like to reiterate.
ANYONE can post in ANY thread.
We welcome ALL help, even if it is just to provide
a link, please do it! :thumbsup

Hi Nancy,
There's no actual squirrel involved, yet. He/ She is just confirming information as they are working towards becoming a licensed rehabber. I figured I'd give it a shot. Glad I did OK. :grin3

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Nancy,
There's no actual squirrel involved, yet. He/ She is just confirming information as they are working towards becoming a licensed rehabber. I figured I'd give it a shot. Glad I did OK. :grin3

Oh you definitely got an A+! :)
True no animal involvement, but I hate to see
threads ignored. :thumbsup

[Cesta]

This thread is from March 24th and never noticed, yes like you said Cesta MANY looked but did NOT respond. :shakehead
I moved this to the non emergency section, and I hope that all is well with his squirrel.
Thank you for responding and not just passing by!!!!!!!!
Seems you covered everything perfectly! Thank you!

Again, I would like to reiterate.
ANYONE can post in ANY thread.
We welcome ALL help, even if it is just to provide
a link, please do it! :thumbsup

I don't know how to provide a link... is there an explanation somewhere?

Also, is my method of trying to suck milk out of a baby's nose/ mouth actually helpful? If not I'd prefer not to do it. :grin2 The back thumping sounds much more pleasant for me and the squirrel. If I hear a baby choking I immediately flip them over, pat their back a few times, and then put my mouth over their nose and mouth and suck HARD. I've never had a baby get pneumonia so I assumed it works? I'm not sure if I read that somewhere or if it is just instinct.

[stosh2010]

I don't know how to provide a link... is there an explanation somewhere?


To share a link
----find the thread that has the info you want to share
... go to the very top of the page...RIGHT CLICK on the "address"
.. it will change color
... click on COPY {in the drop down menu that appears}
... go back to where you want to post this "LINK"
... and RIGHT CLICK
... and click on PASTE{in the drop down menu that appears}
... the link/address will be posted there.




Also, is my method of trying to suck milk out of a baby's nose/ mouth actually helpful? If not I'd prefer not to do it. :grin2 The back thumping sounds much more pleasant for me and the squirrel. If I hear a baby choking I immediately flip them over, pat their back a few times, and then put my mouth over their nose and mouth and suck HARD. I've never had a baby get pneumonia so I assumed it works? I'm not sure if I read that somewhere or if it is just instinct.

[CritterMom]

I don't know how to provide a link... is there an explanation somewhere?

Also, is my method of trying to suck milk out of a baby's nose/ mouth actually helpful? If not I'd prefer not to do it. :grin2 The back thumping sounds much more pleasant for me and the squirrel. If I hear a baby choking I immediately flip them over, pat their back a few times, and then put my mouth over their nose and mouth and suck HARD. I've never had a baby get pneumonia so I assumed it works? I'm not sure if I read that somewhere or if it is just instinct.

I do what you do. I think it is the fastest, best way to deal safely with aspiration. :thumbsup

[Cesta]

Thanks, Stosh and CritterMom.

I wish there was a way to bookmark posts so I can find them again when I need them...

I'm glad I'm not the only 'snot sucker' out there. Does it freak your family out, too? :rotfl

[Nancy in New York]

I don't know how to provide a link... is there an explanation somewhere?

Also, is my method of trying to suck milk out of a baby's nose/ mouth actually helpful? If not I'd prefer not to do it. :grin2 The back thumping sounds much more pleasant for me and the squirrel. If I hear a baby choking I immediately flip them over, pat their back a few times, and then put my mouth over their nose and mouth and suck HARD. I've never had a baby get pneumonia so I assumed it works? I'm not sure if I read that somewhere or if it is just instinct.

I first tip the baby forward, for a few seconds, wipe the nose, and then I do a couple of light sucks. :grin3

[Cesta]

Oh you definitely got an A+! :)
True no animal involvement, but I hate to see
threads ignored. :thumbsup

Thank you!! :Love_Icon
:serene