Newbie

[mcclara]

Found my baby on Thursday afternoon. Have rehydrated and started on formula (Esbilac). Had an issue with bloat (constipation ) but have overcome with using the reintroduction formula found at squirrel tales.org. I have ordered the FoxValley formula but want to know if I need to introduce to Rocky slowly. After the bloat, I am hesitant to introduce a new food. Amazing how attached I have become to this little guy.

[UDoWhat]

Found my baby on Thursday afternoon. Have rehydrated and started on formula (Esbilac). Had an issue with bloat (constipation ) but have overcome with using the reintroduction formula found at squirrel tales.org. I have ordered the FoxValley formula but want to know if I need to introduce to Rocky slowly. After the bloat, I am hesitant to introduce a new food. Amazing how attached I have become to this little guy.

Welcome to TBS. :dance How old is your baby? How much does he weigh? Which FV did you order? We do not recommend Fox Valley 32/40 because many of us have had our younger babies die using 32/40. It turns to cement in their little tummies. Usually this happens with babies under 2 1/2 weeks old. I do not use the FV formulas now because of the issues with 32/40. Others here use 20/50 with no problems but I just stay with Esbilac through to weaning. I do add cream to the Esbilac as they get a little older and need more fat. Yes, always make any changes slowly with your little one.
Glad you joined us!!!:Love_Icon

[Spanky]

Found my baby on Thursday afternoon. Have rehydrated and started on formula (Esbilac). Had an issue with bloat (constipation ) but have overcome with using the reintroduction formula found at squirrel tales.org. I have ordered the FoxValley formula but want to know if I need to introduce to Rocky slowly. After the bloat, I am hesitant to introduce a new food. Amazing how attached I have become to this little guy.

:thankyou for helping Rocky and :Welcome to TSB!

Is the Esbilac you are using the powdered version or the canned liquid?

Did you order Fox Valley 32/40 or FV 20/50?

How much does Rocky weigh, how much are you feeding him each feeding and how often are you feeding him?

I know, lots of questions! We just need a good picture to help!

[mcclara]

Welcome to TBS. :dance How old is your baby? How much does he weigh? Which FV did you order? We do not recommend Fox Valley 32/40 because many of us have had our younger babies die using 32/40. It turns to cement in their little tummies. Usually this happens with babies under 2 1/2 weeks old. I do not use the FV formulas now because of the issues with 32/40. Others here use 20/50 with no problems but I just stay with Esbilac through to weaning. I do add cream to the Esbilac as they get a little older and need more fat. Yes, always make any changes slowly with your little one.
Glad you joined us!!!:Love_Icon

Between 4-5 weeks (eyes still closed). Not sure as to weight as I don't have a scale. Ordered the 20/50 FV. Currently using the Esbilac with the added cream but due to other sites that I am looking at felt it best to try the FV. Due to the bloat, I am hesitant to move to pure formula, so I thought I would wait until the FV arrived. Currently cutting the formula by about 1/4 to make sure that Rocky is getting enough water. By 1/4, I mean that about 25% is water.

[Rhapsody]

Please keep in mind that some babies can't handle the cream..... and this could be what started the bloat and not the Esbilac. This is exactly why I use vanilla yogurt in their formula after they reach 4 weeks old and not cream.

[mcclara]

Please keep in mind that some babies can't handle the cream..... and this could be what started the bloat and not the Esbilac. This is exactly why I use vanilla yogurt in their formula after they reach 4 weeks old and not cream.

You use vanilla yogurt rather than plain? Is it organic, greek or just plain yogurt. I thought when I read the addition of cream that it was extremely rich. I know from my own kids that diets high in dairy can cause constipation. I just assumed the addition of cream was for the fat content.

[Spanky]

Please keep in mind that some babies can't handle the cream..... and this could be what started the bloat and not the Esbilac. This is exactly why I use vanilla yogurt in their formula after they reach 4 weeks old and not cream.

Agreed: more than likely the cream and not the Esbilac causing tummy issues.

I would also suggest you use a half Esbilac and half Fox Valley 20/50... Lots of us are extremely happy with the healthy results of this combo.

(I just noticed you are in my general area; let me know if I can help at all... with soft release or anything else at all. There is a group of five here now about the same age as your baby (2 from one little, three from another). While single babies can do fine alone, it's better if they have siblings or cage mates to grow up and released. However, introducing (combining?) them needs to happen before they are 8 weeks or so... just giving you all the information. If you think that is something you would consider for this little one, just let me know. I have been know to provide provide "squirrel cams" so folks can follow their babies progress and be present for the "big release day"). :thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

Between 4-5 weeks (eyes still closed). Not sure as to weight as I don't have a scale. Ordered the 20/50 FV. Currently using the Esbilac with the added cream but due to other sites that I am looking at felt it best to try the FV. Due to the bloat, I am hesitant to move to pure formula, so I thought I would wait until the FV arrived. Currently cutting the formula by about 1/4 to make sure that Rocky is getting enough water. By 1/4, I mean that about 25% is water.

I think you missed Spanky's question, is the Esbilac the powdered or the canned, (liquid)
Not sure what you mean by cutting the formula by about 1/4 to make sure Rocky is getting enough water.
If you are using the powdered, it's 1 part esbilac to 2 parts water. Make it in advance and let it sit a couple hours or
longer in the refrig. Mix it up really well before giving it to Rocky.
You can hydrate in between feedings by giving him water with just a touch of honey in it to sweeten it some.
Make sure you feed this to him warmed, just like the formula.

[Nancy in New York]

(I just noticed you are in my general area; let me know if I can help at all... with soft release or anything else at all.



277603 Can I assume that KT is still out of town? :tap

[Rhapsody]

You use vanilla yogurt rather than plain? Is it organic, greek or just plain yogurt. I thought when I read the addition of cream that it was extremely rich. I know from my own kids that diets high in dairy can cause constipation. I just assumed the addition of cream was for the fat content.

Yes, I use vanilla yogurt instead of plain to help entice the babies to drink their formula longer, the vanilla gives the formula a nice taste that the squirrels like. I have used french vanilla yogurt by Yoplait for the last ten years of rehabbing.

And yes, cream is used to add extra fat to a squirrels diet when it's needed, but some squirrels stomachs can't handle the fat or protein in the cream.

[Spanky]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=277603&stc=1 Can I assume that KT is still out of town? :tap

:embar I am a creature of habit and I get confused and lost when patterns developed over years suddenly change. :rotfl

[Nancy in New York]

:embar I am a creature of habit and I get confused and lost when patterns developed over years suddenly change. :rotfl

:laugh2 :thumbsup

[UDoWhat]

Sooooooo as you can see we all have a formula that works for us. Cream... yogurt....cream and yogurt.... no cream....no yogurt... Esbilac....FV 20/50 and on and on. After many years of rehabilitating baby squirrels we all use what we think works best. There is not just one formula that is best. We all seem to raise healthy babies on the formula that works best for our babies . Now the most important tool that every rehabilitator must have is a kitchen (gram ) scale. This is how you even know how much formula you need to feed. Baby squirrels should be fed according to body weight in grams. We usually recommend 5-7% of their body weight as a guideline in the beginning. Some feed more but be careful... overfeeding is the #1 cause of diarrhea in baby squirrels. You cannot tell how much to feed your baby if you do not know how much he weighs. Medications also must be dosed by body weight. You can buy an inexpensive scale at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, WalMart and most kitchen stores. Please get one as soon as possible. It is a must to raise a baby. Again welcome to TSB. There is a ton of info here to help you raise your baby.:Love_Icon

[mcclara]

Agreed: more than likely the cream and not the Esbilac causing tummy issues.

I would also suggest you use a half Esbilac and half Fox Valley 20/50... Lots of us are extremely happy with the healthy results of this combo.

(I just noticed you are in my general area; let me know if I can help at all... with soft release or anything else at all. There is a group of five here now about the same age as your baby (2 from one little, three from another). While single babies can do fine alone, it's better if they have siblings or cage mates to grow up and released. However, introducing (combining?) them needs to happen before they are 8 weeks or so... just giving you all the information. If you think that is something you would consider for this little one, just let me know. I have been know to provide provide "squirrel cams" so folks can follow their babies progress and be present for the "big release day"). :thumbsup


If you are offering to take him, I would be interested. I did no realize that being a single baby would make his life harder. I want what is best for him and as a first timer I am finding info that contradicts other info.

[Spanky]

Sooooooo as you can see we all have a formula that works for us. Cream... yogurt....cream and yogurt.... no cream....no yogurt... Esbilac....FV 20/50 and on and on. After many years of rehabilitating baby squirrels we all use what we think works best. There is not just one formula that is best. We all seem to raise healthy babies on the formula that works best for our babies . Now the most important tool that every rehabilitator must have is a kitchen (gram ) scale. This is how you even know how much formula you need to feed. Baby squirrels should be fed according to body weight in grams. We usually recommend 5-7% of their body weight as a guideline in the beginning. Some feed more but be careful... overfeeding is the #1 cause of diarrhea in baby squirrels. You cannot tell how much to feed your baby if you do not know how much he weighs. Medications also must be dosed by body weight. You can buy an inexpensive scale at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, WalMart and most kitchen stores. Please get one as soon as possible. It is a must to raise a baby. Again welcome to TSB. There is a ton of info here to help you raise your baby.:Love_Icon
:attention


If you are offering to take him, I would be interested. I did no realize that being a single baby would make his life harder. I want what is best for him and as a first timer I am finding info that contradicts other info.

Having other squirrels around helps them learn to be more squirrel-ly and remain less domesticated since they can interact more with playmates and not as much with hoomins. If you have never seen squirrels playing together, it is very much like kittens the way the roughhouse (but way cuter IMO). Many have raised and successfully released "singleton" squirrels, including me. And most with lots of experience would give up (and do give up) a singleton to a trusted, experienced person so the singleton will have the advantage of cage mates.. which is why I am even suggesting it. Raising and releasing a squirrel is a big commitment, not inexpensive either, but is also very rewarding If you have done your research, understand the commitment, the requirements (feeding, release cage, (and a good release site!), etc.) and are prepared.. we (TSB) will be here to support you every step of the way: the world can always benefit from more squirrel people!
Having said all that: Yes, I am offering to take him, raise him with cage mates and release him to the trees when he is ready for that! :squirrel3

I only have few hours window of time today between feedings when I could met up with you. I am NE of Atlanta. I will PM you my telephone number...

[Nancy in New York]

If you are offering to take him, I would be interested. I did no realize that being a single baby would make his life harder. I want what is best for him and as a first timer I am finding info that contradicts other info.

You won't find any place better for your little one than with Spanky! :w00t
Thank you for loving him enough to do what is best for him. :hug

[Nancy in New York]

Short video of squirrels playing.
This is what helps them in the wild, they
establish boundaries early, they connect,
and learn from one another.

VIDEO

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wwzVXpd/0/640/i-wwzVXpd-640.mp4


These little ones are about 7 weeks old.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Kzhgrvc/0/S/i-Kzhgrvc-S.jpg

[UDoWhat]

Having other squirrels around helps them learn to be more squirrel-ly and remain less domesticated since they can interact more with playmates and not as much with hoomins. If you have never seen squirrels playing together, it is very much like kittens the way the roughhouse (but way cuter IMO). Many have raised and successfully released "singleton" squirrels, including me. And most with lots of experience would give up (and do give up) a singleton to a trusted, experienced person so the singleton will have the advantage of cage mates.. which is why I am even suggesting it. Raising and releasing a squirrel is a big commitment, not inexpensive either, but is also very rewarding If you have done your research, understand the commitment, the requirements (feeding, release cage, (and a good release site!), etc.) and are prepared.. we (TSB) will be here to support you every step of the way: the world can always benefit from more squirrel people!
Having said all that: Yes, I am offering to take him, raise him with cage mates and release him to the trees when he is ready for that! :squirrel3

I only have few hours window of time today between feedings when I could met up with you. I am NE of Atlanta. I will PM you my telephone number...

Thank you Spanky for this wonderful offer for this new member. And thank you mcclara for considering transferring your baby to Spanky. :Love_Icon

[UDoWhat]

Short video of squirrels playing.
This is what helps them in the wild, they
establish boundaries early, they connect,
and learn from one another.

VIDEO

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wwzVXpd/0/640/i-wwzVXpd-640.mp4


These little ones are about 7 weeks old.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Kzhgrvc/0/S/i-Kzhgrvc-S.jpg


This would be a great educational sticky besides just being totally adorable !!! :Love_Icon

[mcclara]

Thanks to everyone who has been so kind to respond, especially Spanky. I know Rocky will have a better home with other squirrels to play with so will pass him along as soon as I receive the formula and Henry's blocks.