2 Pinkies Not Wanting to Eat

[Abbi's Mama]

I got a boy and a girl yesterday morning. Girl has fought me the whole time I've had her and I can barely get her to take a drop at a time...and she's def not eating enough. Boy was doing good and eating enthusiastically until yesterday evening, and even having little golden poops. However, now he's resorted to fighting me as well. Suggestions on how to get them to eat better? 277508

[Abbi's Mama]

Also, just wanna double check the Esbilac that everyone has...what picture is on it? Little white puppy? And it's mixed 2 parts water to one part formula, right?

[HRT4SQRLS]

I raised my first pinkie within the last few weeks.
Here's a few things I learned.

Is the formula warm enough?

Are they hydrated?

I was told to offer some dilute honey water. It made a huge difference. It stimulated the appetite and the baby started taking formula. If they fight the syringe, you might even dip the nipple tip in a tiny bit of honey.

I started with dilute Esbilac first. I used 3:1 Esbilac. (3 parts water: 1 part Esbilac powder). I then went to full strength formula (2 parts water:1 part Esbilac powder)

Yes, the Esbilac puppy formula has a white puppy on the label. It also has a small blue band at the top that says... with probiotics and prebiotics.

Careful not to aspirate them. Just in case, do you have Cipro or Baytril? or even SMZ.

[redwuff]

After going through the checklist above, and they still are not eating, then I worry about pneumonia. The definition of the word squirrel in xyxalaland means 'ravenous appetite'. Were they wet or cold or long time from momma? Aspiration is not the only way they can it. And even pinkies can have 'ravenous appetites'.

[Abbi's Mama]

Abbi was smaller than these two when I got her and I didn't have near this much trouble getting her to eat. :(
They were from a tree that was cut down at 1pm on Thursday, I got them at 8:30am on Friday. They were warm and hydrated. Finder said she tried to feed them a little puppy milk but they didn't eat much (thank God...it wasn't the right kind). Babies don't have a clicking noise, are very active and strong. I've tried a bit of honey and dipping the nipple in honey water since yesterday...to no avail. I'm really not sure why the boy decided to start fighting me; he was being such a good little guy (but was definitely very picky about formula temperature).

[Abbi's Mama]

Cipro IS available though, forgot to add that part.

[Ekorre]

I've never fed pinkies and I'm new to all of this, so I'm definitely not the person to advise you - I'm sure an expert will be on the board soon and they can guide you. However, here is some valuable information I've gathered from different parts of this site:

As far as I know, this is the Esbilac you want: 277509

From what I've read, the third ingredient should be "Dried Whey Protein Concentrate".

Also, regarding the formula: "It should be mixed up at least 4 hours before feeding, stored in the fridge (I store the powder in the freezer) and never "reheat" unused formula." from this thread: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?54883-Formula-question

From this thread: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?53080-What-if-my-baby-squirrel-won-t-poop

Do you have a weight on them?
Are you using 1 cc syringes and nipples?
Do you have them in a container with a heating pad
half under, set on low?

Perhaps these other threads will help as well?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36776-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?53402-Feeding-Chart-by-Weight

And this (from: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?11782-I-FOUND-A-BABY-SQUIRREL-NOW-WHAT): PINKY SQUIRRELS: THE FOUR MAGIC WORDS

WARMTH: a heating pad on low, under half their container (not under THEM) is best. Plastic tubs or terrariums are good because the environment is more humid and their skin doesn't dry out. When feeding a pinky, if your hands are warm you can use tissue paper to wrap and hold him...if your hands are cold, WARM a cloth or glove before picking up the pinky or you will chill him instantly.

HYDRATION: pinkies need hydration in the form of formula -- or Pedialyte in the beginning -- at least every 2.5 hrs. This means getting up at least once during the night. I get up twice, and it still means they will go 3.5 hrs sometimes without food but it's usually ok. If they look flat and skinny when you get up to feed them, you are not feeding OFTEN enough. Sorry kids, it's a rough gig those first 2 weeks.

CONSISTENCY: consistent heat.....consistent feedings....if your schedule is going to make you sporadic or unpredictable in caring for these teeny-weenies, give them to someone who has the time to care for them properly. If you don't have a heating pad, GET ONE, without an auto shut-off. Microwave disks are too unpredictable for pinkies and may cook them. Hot water bottles don't last nearly long enough for these fragile babies.

PATIENCE: Feed pinkies slo-o-o--owly. Very slowly. Teeny drop by teeny drop, preferably with a 0.5 (1/2) cc syringe or a 1cc at the LARGEST. Use a nipple attachment for best results. Go very, very slowly. If it takes you 5 minutes to get half a cc of formula into a pinky, yer doin' it perfectly. This is how we avoid aspiration, the #1 cause of death in pinkies and the reason why "some say" there is only a 50% success rate in saving them.

I hope those adorable pinkies start eating properly so they can grow big and strong. :Squirrel :Love_Icon :Squirrel

[Ekorre]

You can ignore my post...I see some experts are helping you! :Love_Icon :thumbsup :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

How are the little ones this morning?
How much do these little ones weigh?
If we dose Cipro, we need their weights.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You can ignore my post...I see some experts are helping you! :Love_Icon :thumbsup :Love_Icon

Don't be silly. We need all the help we can get and the info you posted was perfect! :thumbsup

Don't hesitate to contribute! :hug

By the way, I have raised ONE pinkie so I certainly don't qualify as an expert. :)

[Ekorre]

Don't be silly. We need all the help we can get and the info you posted was perfect! :thumbsup

Don't hesitate to contribute! :hug

By the way, I have raised ONE pinkie so I certainly don't qualify as an expert. :)

Thanks, HRT4SQRLS! :Love_Icon :hug :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Don't be silly. We need all the help we can get and the info you posted was perfect! :thumbsup

Don't hesitate to contribute! :hug

By the way, I have raised ONE pinkie so I certainly don't qualify as an expert. :)

:goodpost :thumbsup

[PennyCash]

If their hydrated, warm, formula right, temperature right, kept warm during feeding, using a 1 cc syringe,etc... Then perhaps it's time to try some advice I recently saw IR offer... Bringing the babies up to your throat and purring. If your hair is long enough then you can also put that up to them to rub against. I think that it comforts them like Momma
It helped another member with the wee one :grouphug

[ALittleNutty]

I just went through the pinkie stage a couple of weeks ago. My little boy is like a hoover vacuum but his sister is a complete opposite. It's been a struggle to get anything into her but between the two of us we finally figured out what she prefers. Experiment with different nipples, hand positions, wrapped in fleece or just you hand, formula temps..etc.. Sometimes it just takes time for them to figure out how to latch on and get used to the taste of the formula. Oh and the purring and hair trick did help with my little girl.

[cava]

You can ignore my post...I see some experts are helping you! :Love_Icon :thumbsup :Love_Icon

Yeah, it was nice of you to put all of that information together. So helpful!:clap

[Abbi's Mama]

I sincerely apologize for the very late response. I've mentioned before that I have spotty service at home and responding from my phone is very difficult sometimes lol
First, THANK YOU!!! to each and every commenter. You guys are seriously amazing. Ekorre, that was a very informative and put together post! Thanks!
Both are eating better today! Thank God! Little girl may have finally got hungry enough to decide it was better than nothing ;) haha Both are latching on and eating well...still not quite as well as I'd like but definitely improving.
"Johnny" is 1.15 oz and "June" is .9 oz.

[HRT4SQRLS]

That's great news. From my VAST amount of experience with one pinkie :embar :tilt the appetite should get better with each feeding. I remembered from IR's Pinkie Guide how much these little ones really want to live and that was so true. They are feisty little boogers.

I would highly recommend that you buy a scale that measures in grams. You might want to check your current scale and see if it has a switch on the bottom. Some will measure grams but need to switch over to a metric scale. Ounces aren't accurate enough when weighing pinkies. The scales are less than $20 at WalMart. If you want to order one online, you can probable get one in the $10 range.

[Abbi's Mama]

Thanks! I do have a scale that measures in grams...2 of them actually lol But since I moved they're still packed away and need dug out...and soon lol
I'm so glad they're doing well now. Makes me realize exactly how very lucky I was with Abbi though...she was a fairly easy pinkie apparently. :D

[Ekorre]

Yeah, it was nice of you to put all of that information together. So helpful!:clap

Thanks, cava! :Love_Icon :Squirrel:Squirrel:Squirrel

[Ekorre]

I sincerely apologize for the very late response. I've mentioned before that I have spotty service at home and responding from my phone is very difficult sometimes lol
First, THANK YOU!!! to each and every commenter. You guys are seriously amazing. Ekorre, that was a very informative and put together post! Thanks!
Both are eating better today! Thank God! Little girl may have finally got hungry enough to decide it was better than nothing ;) haha Both are latching on and eating well...still not quite as well as I'd like but definitely improving.
"Johnny" is 1.15 oz and "June" is .9 oz.

I'm glad to hear they're doing better! :thumbsup :woot