Baby squirrel crying/squeaking?

[Rebelsalsa]

I honestly think she just wants to be held.
She is 5 weeks old, eats Fox Valley formula and Pedilyte according to her weight. About (2) 1cc syringes ea. because she is only 50g. She started doing this last night, but I can't figure out why?
Last night when she cried, it was around the time I usually feed her, and I was guessing she was just hungry, so I fed her, and afterwards she was fine.
Today after I fed her, she started crying again, so I held her, and she crawled around for a bit until she fell asleep on me. (She was not crying before the feeding)
Tonight it happened before AND after her feeding, but this time instead of holding her, I just went up to her cage and comforted her by petting her, and now she's okay and back to sleep.... Does she just crave attention, or is she in pain?
She doesn't mind being held, her fur looks fine, she's energetic... What could this be?

[Rebelsalsa]

Another thing is, it's not like she cries A LOT, it's about 3-5 'EEE! EEE! EEE!'s" and then she's done....

[SammysMom]

Lonesome is all it is. Snuggle her and let her know she isn't alone. Where are you located? Maybe there is a rehabber local to you who has some babies that she could introduce your baby to.

[Rebelsalsa]

Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to be exact....
I would love to have some play time for my baby :(

[Nancy in New York]

I honestly think she just wants to be held.
She is 5 weeks old, eats Fox Valley formula and Pedilyte according to her weight. About (2) 1cc syringes ea. because she is only 50g. She started doing this last night, but I can't figure out why?
Last night when she cried, it was around the time I usually feed her, and I was guessing she was just hungry, so I fed her, and afterwards she was fine.
Today after I fed her, she started crying again, so I held her, and she crawled around for a bit until she fell asleep on me. (She was not crying before the feeding)
Tonight it happened before AND after her feeding, but this time instead of holding her, I just went up to her cage and comforted her by petting her, and now she's okay and back to sleep.... Does she just crave attention, or is she in pain?
She doesn't mind being held, her fur looks fine, she's energetic... What could this be?

Don't give pedialyte for more than 24 hours.
Can you post a picture?
If she is 50 grams, that is very tiny.
Rule of thumb is 5-7% of their body weight, so she is HUNGRY.
She should get 2.5 cc's - 3.5 cc's every 4 hours.
How often are you feeding?

[stepnstone]

I honestly think she just wants to be held.
She is 5 weeks old, eats Fox Valley formula and Pedilyte according to her weight. About (2) 1cc syringes ea. because she is only 50g. She started doing this last night, but I can't figure out why?
Last night when she cried, it was around the time I usually feed her, and I was guessing she was just hungry, so I fed her, and afterwards she was fine.
Today after I fed her, she started crying again, so I held her, and she crawled around for a bit until she fell asleep on me. (She was not crying before the feeding)
Tonight it happened before AND after her feeding, but this time instead of holding her, I just went up to her cage and comforted her by petting her, and now she's okay and back to sleep.... Does she just crave attention, or is she in pain?
She doesn't mind being held, her fur looks fine, she's energetic... What could this be?

How long have you been feeding the Pedilyte, is she dehydrated? Have you been doing both at the same time??
She should be fed between 5-7% of her body weight. At 50 grams she should be taking at least 2.5 cc's of formula each feeding and that is at 5% of body weight.
7% would be 3.5 cc's each feeding.

[Rebelsalsa]

I have been feeding her Pedilyte since I got her so it's DEFINITELY been more than 24 hours....
Usually whenever I try to give her more than 2 cc's, she refuses.
I give her Pedilyte and then her formula in every feeding.
So should I do water and then formula instead of Pedilyte?
I can post pictures of her tomorrow when I am on my laptop, currently am using a mobile device. When I got her she was 30g, and that was 2 weeks ago.
Should she be gaining weight faster? I don't want to feed her more than she can take/wants, or should I keep feeding it to her until she eats all that she should eat?
I was feeding her every 3 hours, but now I do it every 4 as of yesterday. I might kick it back to 3, because it kinda seems like she eats less, but more frequently....

[Rebelsalsa]

I'm going to try and post pictures. First one was two days ago, second is today

[Rocky1]

Disclaimer: I am not an expert, just someone who follows this board closely.

Problems:

1. The pedialyte, see #40 here, http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?8889-Common-Mistakes-and-fixes/page2 \

2. Possibly, and rehabbers may weigh in on this, Esbilac with probiotics should be the preferred formula? I hope others will comment on #2 since I am not a rehabber.

3. Possibly the method of transitioning between diets/drinking habits, probably not. Any tips about how to transition from the current diet/hydration plan to a new one.

My favorite website about caring for babies is on the first post of this thread which I am posting in case you are interested, http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?51708-4skwerlz-Baby-Squirrel-Care It helped me a lot.

If you need it, there is also instructions about transitioning to formula at the bottom of this page, http://squirrelrefuge.org/feedingtechnique.html However, personally, that page leaves me with the question of whether or not additional water or honey water should be provided in addition, and if so, how much (as it may or may not be super important not to overfeed/overdrink).

[stepnstone]

I have been feeding her Pedilyte since I got her so it's DEFINITELY been more than 24 hours....
Usually whenever I try to give her more than 2 cc's, she refuses.
I give her Pedilyte and then her formula in every feeding.
So should I do water and then formula instead of Pedilyte?
I can post pictures of her tomorrow when I am on my laptop, currently am using a mobile device. When I got her she was 30g, and that was 2 weeks ago.
Should she be gaining weight faster? I don't want to feed her more than she can take/wants, or should I keep feeding it to her until she eats all that she should eat?
I was feeding her every 3 hours, but now I do it every 4 as of yesterday. I might kick it back to 3, because it kinda seems like she eats less, but more frequently....

Why are you still giving her Pedilyte at all is the question?
Even when extra hydration is needed it is given in between formula feedings, not at the same time.
By giving the pedilyte, even if water on top of feeding formula would be pretty much the same as diluting her formula beyond any benefit of nutrition to her.
That very well explains why she is underweight and so small. An "average" 5 week old should be weighing between 120-150 grams.
Outside being small and underweight she does not appear dehydrated, by now she certainly wouldn't be! There is no need to continue with any hydration in my opinion, this baby needs nutrition! Stop the hydrating and start feeding her only the properly mixed formula, you will be surprised in the difference it will make in a relatively short time. In the future if any hydration is needed just remember in between regular formula feeding.

[Rebelsalsa]

Update: I just did a feeding. It was a half hour early but she was crying so I figured I'd just do it.
This time I gave her 3 cc's of water (not Pedilyte) and 3.5 cc's of formula!!! No problem! If I had to take a guess on why she wasn't eating, it was because the Pedilyte made her full.
I just laid her down and as in typing this I hear her cry from the other room... Maybe she's still hungry? I can't feed her anymore because it'll cause bloat...
I'll keep up the 3.5cc from now on and see how she does. (Now crying a second time)

It's just worrying me.
It feels like I've messed up a lot, but she's my first and that's why I'm coming here with questions.... I guess I read things wrong about the Pedilyte and water situation, but I'm correcting myself and learning as I go!
She was extremely underweight when I found her, ribs were showing and extremely lethargic. Alert, but lethargic. She has turned around a lot in the weeks that I've had her, but now I don't know what I did....

[Rebelsalsa]

Okay, so questions.
How long should I only give her formula?
When should I give her water next time?

I feel terrible!! :(

[stepnstone]

Okay, so questions.
How long should I only give her formula?
When should I give her water next time?
I feel terrible!! :(

She only needs formula, she does not need additional water.
Pedilyte/water is only given to initially hydrate or flush the baby
before starting on formula. Other times it is given to help clear up
diarrhea or to re-hydrate a dehydrating baby.

In your second picture, I think I see a milk line (white band) on stomach "waist."
Have you noticed this after feeding?

Don't feel terrible, you can turn this around and she should be fine. I don't know
where you got your info but I'm sure glad you came to TSB. :grin2

[Rocky1]

Just asking: Would you like help raising this baby, or if one is available, would you prefer to have a rehabber raise and release it?

I was reading other threads and it looks like there are a lot of members in Southern Florida, http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?48056-Anyone-raising-babies-to-release-in-Southeast-Florida

EDIT: Just noticed that you have already seen that thread given your reply.

[stepnstone]

Rebelsalsa, top left, check your private messages...
Any hour.
Please keep us updated...

[Nancy in New York]

Are her eyes opened or still closed?
Please keep us posted, and THANKS
for helping her, and finding this board! :hug

[Rebelsalsa]

Yes, her eyes are still closed, I'm thinking any day now!
I'm so happy I got help!! Thank you to everyone who posted! I just got done with her first feeding of only the formula, and she ate 3.5ccs! She took it very well and I'm guessing that maybe before, the hydration was making her full before she could eat? Either way, I'm happy as I'm sure she is too!!! Thank you again! :Love_Icon :grouphug :blowkiss :w00t :wiggle

[SammysMom]

I too am so glad that you found us to get help. It is a scary thing when you aren't really sure what to do and there is so much conflicting info out there. Here on TSB you will get the help you need. You have great people already advising you and there are more here too. At this point, she definitely needs only formula unless she appears dehydrated for some reason. She will be growing and gaining in leaps and bounds before you know it now that she is getting formula only.
I still think that the crying may be due to the fact that she is lonely. They are creatures who love their families and at her age she would be snuggled up with her mama and siblings all of the time. Even when mama had to go off to forage, she would have others to keep her company.
You are pottying her at every feeding, correct? How is her pee/poop output?

[Nancy in New York]

Yes, her eyes are still closed, I'm thinking any day now!
I'm so happy I got help!! Thank you to everyone who posted! I just got done with her first feeding of only the formula, and she ate 3.5ccs! She took it very well and I'm guessing that maybe before, the hydration was making her full before she could eat? Either way, I'm happy as I'm sure she is too!!! Thank you again! :Love_Icon :grouphug :blowkiss :w00t :wiggle


OK they typically open their eyes at ~5 weeks, so she may be a little younger than you initially thought.
So glad you found us, please stick around, and you KNOW we love pictures, so feel free to share, share, share. :grin2

Which FV are you feeding, the 32/40 or the 20/50?

[Mommaluvy]

Ditto to Step

No more water.. Its filling her up before her formula.

and

She looks younger to me than 5 weeks. As NINY said.. Are her eyes open or closed?

Just went back and looked.. She just looks like a 4 weeker to me. Maybe on the verge of 5 . Small , thin, but not in a bad body condition. Does not seem emaciated.

So I think she is younger. That would explain the weight. So 5-7% every 3-4 hours would be correct but no more water at the moment . If you do need to give water I would do it in between feedings. Not before :)
You can turn this around.

[Mommaluvy]

Ditto to Step

No more water.. Its filling her up before her formula.

and

She looks younger to me than 5 weeks. As NINY said.. Are her eyes open or closed?

[Rebelsalsa]

Eyes are closed like I said before.
She usually poops and pees right after her first cc syringe. (usually all over my hand lol)
But if she doesn't go, I still make her. Her poops are mustard yellow, and she was peeing A LOT (which would be normal for giving her so much hydration)....
Yeah I was thinking she's around 4/5 weeks.
A big reason why I thought she was fine was because her poop is normal... Or maybe I took that wrong too? :/

[stepnstone]

Eyes are closed like I said before.
She usually poops and pees right after her first cc syringe. (usually all over my hand lol)
But if she doesn't go, I still make her. Her poops are mustard yellow, and she was peeing A LOT (which would be normal for giving her so much hydration)....
Yeah I was thinking she's around 4/5 weeks.
A big reason why I thought she was fine was because her poop is normal... Or maybe I took that wrong too? :/

What is the consistency of her poo's? Soft, hard, inbetween?

[Rebelsalsa]

Hard for sure.
I'm using 32/40 btw

[Nancy in New York]

Hard for sure.
I'm using 32/40 btw

OK the next time you order, get the FV 20/50.
Actually, if you want you can pm me your name and address, and I will get
some in the mail tomorrow, unless you have to order more soon.
In the past people were having problems with their little ones
digesting the 32/40.
You are doing great, hang in there! :hug

[stepnstone]

:hello How's this baby doing?
Update please...

[Mommaluvy]

Yes - update?

And sorry for my odd posting. I swear i did not see the posts where you answered NINY.

[Rebelsalsa]

Hi!!! Sorry no update!! I guess no news is good news... On Saturday, Maple opened her eyes!!!! She has now gained 10 grams, as she is now 60.7 grams! It hasn't even been a week, which is great! I am getting some money tomorrow so I will be buying the Fox Valley formula for the older baby squirrels. She is now eating well at feedings and no longer cries!
(I think I covered everything! Lol!)
So far no dehydration!!!

[stepnstone]

Hi!!! Sorry no update!! I guess no news is good news... On Saturday, Maple opened her eyes!!!! She has now gained 10 grams, as she is now 60.7 grams! It hasn't even been a week, which is great! I am getting some money tomorrow so I will be buying the Fox Valley formula for the older baby squirrels. She is now eating well at feedings and no longer cries!
(I think I covered everything! Lol!)
So far no dehydration!!!

So Maple can be counted as 5 weeks old since opening eyes.
Not surprised at all with the weight gain or that she's no longer crying
now that she getting full nutrition.

Speaking of weight gain she should now be eating between 3- 4.2 cc's of formula.
Good job momma! :great

[Mommaluvy]

:Love_Icon:bliss

[Rebelsalsa]

Massive weight gain in 24 hours! She now weighs 73.4!!!! Not even sure how that happened but I'm guessing it's good??

[Rebelsalsa]

90.2 grams!!

[Nancy in New York]

90.2 grams!!
:applause
:w00t:bliss:w00t:bliss:w00t:bliss:w00t:bliss:w00t: bliss:bliss:w00t:bliss:w00t