Baby Squirrel Issues

[SqueakerTheLegend]

Have a baby grey squirrel about 3 1/2 weeks. Did about 12 hours of pedialyte when he first came in. Currently feeding Puppy formula with added heavy cream and yogurt. Today is the fifth day that I've had him and although he's still putting up a strong "protest" during feeding he's not putting on weight and not really active any other time. He's also never actually suckled so feeding has been a struggle. He has/had a decent sized wound on his back that's healing nicely. (treated with Betadine and glued when he first came in and a couple times a day it gets treated with betadine) Feeding every 3 hours day and night. Weight 42 g. eating 2-3 cc per feeding depending on what I can get him to take.

Any ideas on why he's not putting on weight? He also aspirated a bit yesterday but cleared it pretty well - no gurgling/clicking as of yet.

I do have Cipro as well as the human version of Clavamox here both in pill form if that could possibly help.

Also I assume someone here knows why you can't tube feed a squirrel? Haven't been able to find an actual reason in my reading just a big "DON'T do it!"

I apologize for jumping around or if I've missed anything...VERY tired.

[island rehabber]

Is your formula hot enough? For whatever reason this year, my 3-wk olds want their formula hotter than the 10-day pinkies do! I haven o idea why but I am re-warming twice during a feeding. Formula should be 102-103* degrees; most coffee warmers seem to get it up to 97 or so and stop.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 SqueakerTheLegend
:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

As far as the activity level, don't worry, all they do is sleep at that age ... eat,sleep,repeat. :grin2

Are you pottying the baby when you feed him? Are his poops normal?
What type of device are you using to feed? To prevent aspiration, we use a 1cc syringe with a nipple. The Miracle Nipple is great.

Are you using the powdered puppy formula? We have seen problems with the canned liquid type.

Again, welcome!

[SqueakerTheLegend]

Going to try to answer all of these in a non confusing way...

Yes I'm assisting elimination after every feeding.
Poop is normal. Pee is...plentiful

Using a 3cc syringe with a nipple and going one drop at a time with powdered puppy formula as the base.

I've got the formula right around 100 for feeding. I can bump it up a bit more and see if that helps his feeding response.

OH and he's on heat with a cooler "escape zone" if he needs it which is regulated by a pulse thermostat.

[Nancy in New York]

Going to try to answer all of these in a non confusing way...

Yes I'm assisting elimination after every feeding.
Poop is normal. Pee is...plentiful

Using a 3cc syringe with a nipple and going one drop at a time with powdered puppy formula as the base.

I've got the formula right around 100 for feeding. I can bump it up a bit more and see if that helps his feeding response.

OH and he's on heat with a cooler "escape zone" if he needs it which is regulated by a pulse thermostat.

Can you post a photo?
That would be very helpful to see the injury on his back.
Who glued the injury?
Are you still treating with betadine? If so make sure you dilute it
as it can sting, then rinse thoroughly.

The powdered Esbilac that you are giving, you are diluting 1 part Esbilac to 2 parts water, correct?

What are the mg. on your antibiotics?
I can break them down for you and give you the dosage, just
in case something comes up, you will have the information and can act fast.

Do you have 1 cc syringes?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Going to try to answer all of these in a non confusing way...

Yes I'm assisting elimination after every feeding.
Poop is normal. Pee is...plentiful

Using a 3cc syringe with a nipple and going one drop at a time with powdered puppy formula as the base.

I've got the formula right around 100 for feeding. I can bump it up a bit more and see if that helps his feeding response.

OH and he's on heat with a cooler "escape zone" if he needs it which is regulated by a pulse thermostat.

It sounds like you have everything covered. When he does get anxious to eat be careful with the 3cc syringe. Sometimes they suck so vigorously that they do aspirate.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here's a link that has good information about raising baby squirrels. The link has multiple pages. The NEXT button is at the top.
http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/

It does sound like you have done your homework. :tilt

[Milo's Mom]

I've had this issue with several of my kids this season. After a few failed feedings I stop and regroup. Start with a feeding of hydration...this will allow you some additional time to figure out what's changed. Then as I am wracking my brain to determine what needs to be changed they suck done the hydration without issue.

Also, check your cream.....it might be going bad. Also, at 3.5 weeks you can start getting him onto FV...just do a slow transition so you don't upset his belly. This past Spring season I had fantastic eaters simply stop eating, as in flat out refuse to eat at abut 3.5 weeks...I changed the formula and BAM! they were fantastic eaters again.

Also, you CAN tube a squirrel it's just not really recommended unless absolutely necessary.

[SqueakerTheLegend]

I don't have access to 1cc syringes at the moment although i have ordered some. Yes the formula is being diluted 1 part formula to 2 parts water. I glued the wound after cleaning it. Yes I'm still cleaning with betadine and yes I dilute it and rinse.

Turns out I don't have cipro like I thought I had. I do have the human version of Clavamox though. The tablet is 875-125 mg per tablet.