Few questions

[ScrappyDo]

Thank you for letting me join! I have had 2 baby squirrels since 02/13/17. Did not get weight for a few days because they were so bruised and cut (someone cut down a tree with a nest) that I really thought they would not survive. Here are my questions please:
1. Approximate age? I am thinking they were no more than a day or two old when I got them, but I'm no expert.

2. I first weighed them on Feb 16. Girl (Girl is her name lol) was 17 g and boy (Scrappy Do)was 15.5 g. This morning, Girl was 19.2 and Scrappy was 18.6. Is that enough weight gain? I am feeding Ebsilac 2 to 1 water to powder ratio and they are eating give or take 1 cc every 2 hrs with one 3 hr stretch at night.

3. Saw a video on youtube where a guy said you need to pee/poop them for around 10 minutes to make sure they have gone all they can. Is this correct? I've just been doing it until they go and relax.

4. Had them in a cardboard box like an idiot. Last night before bed I thought I had not cleaned them well and had dried formula on them so I cleaned them well after feeding (I'm extremely sleep deprived lol) and the next feeding they were crackly :( I changed to a plastic box and added a small cup with a wet paper towel sitting in the side of the box with the heating pad underneath and used neosporin 1x and now I am using Emu oil. My question is, they do look a bit dehydrated, especially Scrappy, but since they are eating and seem to be using the bathroom well (clear urine but the poop did turn a tiny bit dark), should I switch to pedialyte only for a few hours (which makes Girl mad lol) or supplement in between feedings (which seems to make them both284837284838 eat less formula)?

Thank you so much for your help! Sorry for the long post and I hope I'm not breaking any rules. I have been up since their first nightly feeding last night worried and using the computer does a number on my bulging discs in my neck so I have not ventured to read the site rules. Once I rest I will get right on it!

P.S. The one on the right is Scrappy Do...wanna fight? lol

[Scott]

Please check back often. There are a large number of very experienced rehabbers on TSB.

One question: Is this really an undertaking you have the time, experience and patience for. If not, there are many very good rehabbers in Florida.

But let me say thank you for caring for these babies.

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you for letting me join! I have had 2 baby squirrels since 02/13/17. Did not get weight for a few days because they were so bruised and cut (someone cut down a tree with a nest) that I really thought they would not survive. Here are my questions please:
1. Approximate age? I am thinking they were no more than a day or two old when I got them, but I'm no expert.

2. I first weighed them on Feb 16. Girl (Girl is her name lol) was 17 g and boy (Scrappy Do)was 15.5 g. This morning, Girl was 19.2 and Scrappy was 18.6. Is that enough weight gain? I am feeding Ebsilac 2 to 1 water to powder ratio and they are eating give or take 1 cc every 2 hrs with one 3 hr stretch at night.

3. Saw a video on youtube where a guy said you need to pee/poop them for around 10 minutes to make sure they have gone all they can. Is this correct? I've just been doing it until they go and relax.

4. Had them in a cardboard box like an idiot. Last night before bed I thought I had not cleaned them well and had dried formula on them so I cleaned them well after feeding (I'm extremely sleep deprived lol) and the next feeding they were crackly :( I changed to a plastic box and added a small cup with a wet paper towel sitting in the side of the box with the heating pad underneath and used neosporin 1x and now I am using Emu oil. My question is, they do look a bit dehydrated, especially Scrappy, but since they are eating and seem to be using the bathroom well (clear urine but the poop did turn a tiny bit dark), should I switch to pedialyte only for a few hours (which makes Girl mad lol) or supplement in between feedings (which seems to make them both eat less formula)?

Thank you so much for your help! Sorry for the long post and I hope I'm not breaking any rules. I have been up since their first nightly feeding last night worried and using the computer does a number on my bulging discs in my neck so I have not ventured to read the site rules. Once I rest I will get right on it!

P.S. The one on the right is Scrappy Do...wanna fight? lol


Make sure you are feeding Esbilac Powdered Puppy formula/
Some people get PetLac and Esbilac confused.

Also when you make it to let it "rest" in the refrig for 6-8 hours prior to
feeding, it dissolves better that way. Many will put it in ice cube trays and freeze
after it "rests" Just make sure that you mix it up really well before putting it in the trays.
Take out the amount you need the night before and thaw them in your refrig.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VpVv8FQ/0/S/i-VpVv8FQ-S.jpghttps://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CGtS6pW/0/S/i-CGtS6pW-S.jpg

I would do a little hydration in between feedings with a touch (just for taste) of
honey water. I don't like using Pedialyte on ones so young to just
hydrate.

Your little one seems bloated in the photo.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bNwLQsC/0/O/i-bNwLQsC.jpg

There is an excellent Baby Squirrel Guide at the link below.
It's 6 pages long with the next arrow at the top of the right.

http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/

[ScrappyDo]

Please check back often. There are a large number of very experienced rehabbers on TSB.

One question: Is this really an undertaking you have the time, experience and patience for. If not, there are many very good rehabbers in Florida.

But let me say thank you for caring for these babies.

Thank you for your concern! I am home all day so I do have plenty of time. I have rehabbed only one squirrel but it was a success....but it was years ago! I raise and hand feed baby budgies so I do have lots of experience feeding tiny little things, though I know they are very different creatures. I will definitely keep that in mind if I get overwhelmed. I'm just tired since I was up last night scouring the web to find out why their poor little skin was so dry. I had my one other squirrel in a cardboard box without incident (this was before the internet), so it was a surprise to me! I sure am happy I found this site! Thanks for the help :)

[ScrappyDo]

Make sure you are feeding Esbilac Powdered Puppy formula/
Some people get PetLac and Esbilac confused.

Also when you make it to let it "rest" in the refrig for 6-8 hours prior to
feeding, it dissolves better that way. Many will put it in ice cube trays and freeze
after it "rests" Just make sure that you mix it up really well before putting it in the trays.
Take out the amount you need the night before and thaw them in your refrig.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VpVv8FQ/0/S/i-VpVv8FQ-S.jpghttps://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CGtS6pW/0/S/i-CGtS6pW-S.jpg

I would do a little hydration in between feedings with a touch (just for taste) of
honey water. I don't like using Pedialyte on ones so young to just
hydrate.

Your little one seems bloated in the photo.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bNwLQsC/0/O/i-bNwLQsC.jpg

There is an excellent Baby Squirrel Guide at the link below.
It's 6 pages long with the next arrow at the top of the right.

http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/

Thanks Nancy! I do have the correct formula. I will switch to honey water. I was unsure myself because of the sodium in the pedialyte but everything I read (before I found this site) said pedialyte. I just made a batch of sugar water but I will definitely switch it to honey water.

The girl had just eaten and she is a little pig! lol Do you think maybe she is eating too much? Her tummy does not look like that when it is feeding time again. The boy had just eaten too but he was being a sleepy head and didn't want to finish (which I've found they both do periodically through out the day). He has since eaten well and I had already given him pedialyte in between before I thought to make the sugar water.

I mix up a 24 hr batch of formula at a time and put it in the fridge before the last batch is finished.

I really appreciate the help! I did read that informative article, thank you! I will try not to ask so many basic questions because it makes me seem extremely inexperienced, but I freaked out for a second and just needed reassurance! lol I would definitely like to know if you think she is over eating as I do not want it to cause problems in the future. I'm used to feeding tiny budgies (and I've fed a few kittens in my time), so this is definitely something I am comfortable doing. Just thought I'd try to reassure everyone since I know there are a lot of people that jump into something like this without a clue. If I feel I can't handle it, or one of you guys feel I shouldn't, I will definitely consider taking them to a rehabber (is that a word? lol). They were so bruised and banged up when I got them I was afraid they would be euthanized. I really appreciate all the help!

[Nancy in New York]

Thanks Nancy! I do have the correct formula. I will switch to honey water. I was unsure myself because of the sodium in the pedialyte but everything I read (before I found this site) said pedialyte. I just made a batch of sugar water but I will definitely switch it to honey water.

The girl had just eaten and she is a little pig! lol Do you think maybe she is eating too much? Her tummy does not look like that when it is feeding time again. The boy had just eaten too but he was being a sleepy head and didn't want to finish (which I've found they both do periodically through out the day). He has since eaten well and I had already given him pedialyte in between before I thought to make the sugar water.

I mix up a 24 hr batch of formula at a time and put it in the fridge before the last batch is finished.

I really appreciate the help! I did read that informative article, thank you! I will try not to ask so many basic questions because it makes me seem extremely inexperienced, but I freaked out for a second and just needed reassurance! lol I would definitely like to know if you think she is over eating as I do not want it to cause problems in the future. I'm used to feeding tiny budgies (and I've fed a few kittens in my time), so this is definitely something I am comfortable doing. Just thought I'd try to reassure everyone since I know there are a lot of people that jump into something like this without a clue. If I feel I can't handle it, or one of you guys feel I shouldn't, I will definitely consider taking them to a rehabber (is that a word? lol). They were so bruised and banged up when I got them I was afraid they would be euthanized. I really appreciate all the help!

OH PLEASE ask all the questions you want. We ALL started somewhere.
I only posted the site incase noone was on to answer you.
Many do use Pedialyte for little ones that are dehydrated but never for more than 24 hours.
I think your little one just needs extra hydration to help with the poop issues.

The tummies should feel like a balloon when they are done eating, not hard though.

You know the "rule of thumb" for feeding, 5-7% of their body weight in grams.

I think you're doing fantastic, and these little ones are lucky to have you.

Remember, there is NO question we haven't heard, OR asked ourselves. :)

[ScrappyDo]

OH PLEASE ask all the questions you want. We ALL started somewhere.
I only posted the site incase noone was on to answer you.
Many do use Pedialyte for little ones that are dehydrated but never for more than 24 hours.
I think your little one just needs extra hydration to help with the poop issues.

The tummies should feel like a balloon when they are done eating, not hard though.

You know the "rule of thumb" for feeding, 5-7% of their body weight in grams.

I think you're doing fantastic, and these little ones are lucky to have you.

Remember, there is NO question we haven't heard, OR asked ourselves. :)

Thanks lol I do try to keep her between 5 & 7%. Here is a pic of her now (she's starving...or thinks she is! lol)284843284844

[ScrappyDo]

OH PLEASE ask all the questions you want. We ALL started somewhere.
I only posted the site incase noone was on to answer you.
Many do use Pedialyte for little ones that are dehydrated but never for more than 24 hours.
I think your little one just needs extra hydration to help with the poop issues.

The tummies should feel like a balloon when they are done eating, not hard though.

You know the "rule of thumb" for feeding, 5-7% of their body weight in grams.

I think you're doing fantastic, and these little ones are lucky to have you.

Remember, there is NO question we haven't heard, OR asked ourselves. :)

I just realized! I weigh them before they eat and during to make sure they are getting what they need (it's easier for me to do it that way) and I did NOT do that early this morning because I was so worried about their skin. It is more than likely that I did let her over eat! I will be more meticulious about that in the future!