special baby

[Penelope]

Update on special baby,I thank all of you for being so helpful with my my special baby squirrel crisis.I found out that she maybe a dwarf squirrel.Without your quick responses I fear it would of been all lost.She is challenging to feed with no top teeth and has decided to quit taking formula.She also will only drink water from a 1cc.syringe.She bites the tip though,any suggestions as I hate to have her get any plastic in her mouth.I also wonder is there any safe liners for her cage.Someone said no newspapers or puppy pads.What about human pads like they use in hospitals or elderly patients?Are they the same as puppy pads? I love her very much but she seems to be very unique,

[UDoWhat]

I have always used cotton sheets without any strings for my squirrels. I put several pieces of fleece on top of the sheet that I use to line the bottom with. You might call the local newspaper and ask what kind of ink they use. If it is non toxic it would be fine to use. Still you would need to put fleece or t shirts on top of the newsprint. If it is a small cage you could line it with a pillow case instead of the bigger sheet.

[Chickenlegs]

Your little one really IS unique. I made padded liners that just fit the bottom of Kensington's cage. Make a "pillowcase" from fleece or flannel, turn, stuff a 3/8 inch piece of foam padding in the pocket--the stuff is sold by the roll at fabric stores--stitch the opening and across the pad so the foam won't shift when washing. Tadaaaaaa--perfect cage liner. Likely she won't chew--he never did. If I was home I could make you some of the same gear I had for Kensington. He loved his sleepy pouch. I made it easy for him to get into and broad at the bottom so he could curl up comfortably. It hung over a fleece ramp so he could get in easily. See if she likes cheese. Kensi liked avocado too but keep those drops of formula up. That's her nutrition. Kensi dehydrated easily. Can you subQ? Appetite is affected by dehydration. Your vet can subQ her if needed. Just saying--keep an eye on that.

[pnut2014]

Penelope, can u post a pic of ur baby. Never seen a dwarf suirrel. Thanks. Beth

[island rehabber]

Update on special baby,I thank all of you for being so helpful with my my special baby squirrel crisis.I found out that she maybe a dwarf squirrel.Without your quick responses I fear it would of been all lost.She is challenging to feed with no top teeth and has decided to quit taking formula.She also will only drink water from a 1cc.syringe.She bites the tip though,any suggestions as I hate to have her get any plastic in her mouth.I also wonder is there any safe liners for her cage.Someone said no newspapers or puppy pads.What about human pads like they use in hospitals or elderly patients?Are they the same as puppy pads? I love her very much but she seems to be very unique,

Human pads are fine to use and many rehabbers I know use them in their cages and bins. The puppy pads are dangerous because SOME of them have an "attractant" added -- to make the puppies more likely to go on the pads -- and this chemical has been proven to kill small baby squirrels and bunnies.

In an effort to get her to take formula, see if she likes the taste of apple: applesauce or apple juice, for example. If yes, you can dip the tip of the syringe in apple flavor and then see if she'll drink the formula from it. Works SOMEtimes....:grin2