Storm baby

[Roxi's mom]

I received a thin, approximately 3 week-old boy gray today. He was found Wednesday night after some severe weather. She warmed him up and kept him hydrated with orange pedialyte, which he really took hardly none of for two and a half days until she finally contacted me to ask if I wanted him. I got him around noon today and immediately started him on Day One FV infant formula diluted 3:1, just minimally with about 6 ml at first, which is all he would take at that time. When I pottied him he did pee and poo, and he has peed each time I have relieved him, but no more poo. I'm sure it will come now that he is on formula. He was I thought 36 grams Saturday afternoon, but I must have not zeroed out the scale completely because I weighed him again Sunday morning at 2 a.m. And it said 29 grams. He does not look smaller. I weighed him on a paper towel only the first time, and the second time was in a plastic container with fleece, so there must have been a setting error. I will weigh him again Sunday. He is very active and squirms a lot when I have tried hydrating with honey water, or anytime really. I have been corresponding with Lennysmom who has been coaching me along the way, and to her I give my thanks, and we thought it was time to put this out on the forum. I have Rapsody's phone number should I need her help, and I will have to pass him along soon, as I am not setup to rehab long term, but that is my ultimate goal when I can retire. I will post again later. I do need to know when to go from 3:1 to 2:1 and when and how much whipping cream to add, and also how much each feeding. Here are some pics. 290356290357290358290359290360

[Rhapsody]

If you are using FV 32/40 please stop feeding it and switch to Esbilac as we longer recommend the 32/40 formula for babies under four weeks of age due to the possibility of death.

You feed squirrels at 5-7% of their body weight at all times...... therefore, weekly weighing is required. Whipping cream is not needed, but can be used if extra calories are required. I would keep the baby on the diluted ratio for a week then slowly change it, going back to the diluted version if needed.

I am here if you need me to take the baby. ♡

[Nancy in New York]

If your little one only weighs 29 grams the absolute most you should feed
after being starved for this amount of time is 1.5 at each feeding.
I'm shocked that he actually took 6 mLs to start. Please weigh him daily
so that you can figure out how much to feed at each feeding.
I've attached a feeding chart BELOW for easy reference. Go according to his weight.

Since he is so compromised I would only feed the diluted formula at 1 part dry formula to 3 parts water
for the next couple of feedings, then go to 1 part formula to 2 1/2 hot water for the rest of the day. See
how that is tolerated, and then tomorrow go to full strength of 1 part dry formula to 2 parts HOT water.
Let this sit so the formula is completely dissolved. I usually let it "rest" in the refig. at least 4-5 hours,
whisking periodically. You can then put the formula into ice cube trays and take out what you will need the
night before.
He needs nourishment badly.

A few years back island rehabber took in 4 emaciated babies, and after a couple of days I got them
to finish raising. She did a dilution of formula for one day and then went to full strength.

This is what they looked like ABOVE under the feeding chart. They did fantastic.

Remember that Fox Valley stays in their system longer, so I would do every 3 hours round the clock.
NEVER force him to eat.

Since you have a very fragile little one here, please ask all the questions you want.......and remember Rhapsody is willing to help.
If you have to pass him along soon, perhaps now would be the time to get him into Rhapsody's expert hands.

They can go downhill SO easily. Remember they are prey animals and they
hide their symptoms well, sometimes until the very end. At 29 grams this little one is very compromised.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KbQL6K2/0/4b31f3e6/M/i-KbQL6K2-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Feeding-Chart/i-Xhkv352/1/e1841dc2/L/001-L.jpg

[lennysmom]

I'm always happy to help, but I am so glad you started a thread for him so that the experts with experience with babies in his shape can advise you.:thumbsup Wow, 29g - he is so emaciated!! Poor little guy, he's a little fighter for sure! Nancy is right, he is SO delicate in this state. Please don't hesitate to reach out for help anytime. His pictures really pull at my heart.:Love_Icon I'm praying for the sweet little guy.:grouphug

[Roxi's mom]

If you are using FV 32/40 please stop feeding it and switch to Esbilac as we longer recommend the 32/40 formula for babies under four weeks of age due to the possibility of death.

You feed squirrels at 5-7% of their body weight at all times...... therefore, weekly weighing is required. Whipping cream is not needed, but can be used if extra calories are required. I would keep the baby on the diluted ratio for a week then slowly change it, going back to the diluted version if needed.

I am here if you need me to take the baby. ♡

As I stated above, I am using FV Day One formula that is I believe 20/50. I am embarrassed to say that I am not a mathematician, so please tell me how to figure out weight to formula. I know it's 7% and again embarrassed to ask how to figure that out. :embarHe was 36 grams I thought the first time I weighed him and later same day it said 25 grams, so I am thinking that I did not zero out the scale correctly before weighing him. I will definitely give you a call soon, as I cannot keep him for very long. I do not have great support here as the general consensus is that they take up too much of my time, :sadness so for now I can consider myself a safe haven to bring foundlings to, plump them and love them up, and pass them to someone for eventual release. :crazy.

As I read this thread further I found Nancy's chart. Thanks, and thank you all for your advice. He took about 2.3 ml at 9 this a.m. Readily and not coaxed. When he was done he could not be persuaded to take more.

[Chickenlegs]

So if your baby isn't pooping, give him some extra hydration between feedings. If that sweetie was without mama for awhile, his little body needs to readjust to regular feedings. A dehydrated baby can't process food normally. Don't need salt but do need the extra fluid. And he may need it for awhile--least till he's pooping normally. The experts will comment here

[Mel1959]

So, what IS his weight right now? You say you may have misweighed him. Can you please re-weigh so we know where he is physically?

To get the amount to feed at EACH feeding, which is 5-7% of their weight, take their weight each day in the morning. So let's say it's 30gr, multiply 30 x 5%=1.5 then take 30 x 7%=2.1. So a 30gr. squirrel should take between 1.5ml - 2.1ml at EACH feeding. Usually when they are younger and especially when they are compromised, its best to stick closer to the 5% amount. As they get older you have to use your common sense and can allow a gradual increase above the 7% rule, as this is a guideline. With that said, if you notice loose bowel movements you immediately drop back and not feed as much.

I hope this helps. I see you're in Florida, as am I, near Cocoa Beach. Let me know if I can help in any way. :grin2

[Roxi's mom]

So, what IS his weight right now? You say you may have misweighed him. Can you please re-weigh so we know where he is physically?

To get the amount to feed at EACH feeding, which is 5-7% of their weight, take their weight each day in the morning. So let's say it's 30gr, multiply 30 x 5%=1.5 then take 30 x 7%=2.1. So a 30gr. squirrel should take between 1.5ml - 2.1ml at EACH feeding. Usually when they are younger and especially when they are compromised, its best to stick closer to the 5% amount. As they get older you have to use your common sense and can allow a gradual increase above the 7% rule, as this is a guideline. With that said, if you notice loose bowel movements you immediately drop back and not feed as much.

I hope this helps. I see you're in Florida, as am I, near Cocoa Beach. Let me know if I can help in any way. :grin2

His weight is 41 g today, so the first weight of 39 was correct. Thanks for the math lesson. I was dividing instead multiplying. :grin2 Between my home job and Caring for Liam, I have not had a lot of time to post here. He is on diluted 3:1 formula as already stated. I have been giving some honey water, 2 teaspoons honey, which is all I had left with 8 ounces of warm water, which is the size of the bottle, and it's not really sweet, just a taste of honey which I keep on the heating pad to keep it warm in between feedings. And he gives me quite a bit of a struggle when he's done eating but I want to feed them a little bit more which I'm thinking he thought the bottle was empty because it wouldn't go fast enough, but then I will stop after I see he's done for real. The formula above says 3 oz by weight, but he has been taking less than 2. How hard should I gently press him to take more.

[Nancy in New York]

The formula above says 3 oz by weight, but he has been taking less than 2. How hard should I gently press him to take more.

No the chart above says to feed 2 mLs every feeding to stay at the 5% rule of thumb.
7% is 3 mLs of formula but you DO NOT want to give that amount yet.
You CANNOT feed him more yet since he's so compromised.
If you are feeding Fox Valley formula, that stays in his system longer so I would go every 3 hours
round the clock. Meaning he will get 8 feedings in a 24 hour period.
NEVER force a squirrel to take more.

[Mel1959]

He shouldn't be fed with a bottle. Please go to a pharmacy and ask for a 1cc syringe (no needle). Tell them you are feeding an orphaned kitten, they will be more receptive. You will benefit from ordering some o ring syringes (both 1cc and 3cc) and some miracle nipples from Henrys Healthy Pets online. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to feed a little squirrel with those two things. If you would like me to send you some send me your address in a private message and I will get them out to you. Bottles are really dangerous as they can aspirate with them and then your little guy will need antibiotics to get better. :Love_Icon

[Rhapsody]

I have 1cc syringes and nipples I can give you..... I will be out South on Tuesday and out North on Wednesday,
just let me know what side of Lakeland you are on and I can stop by your work to drop them off... or as I have
stated before I can take this little one to raise as I have every thing that is needed to get him feeling better and
I do not work, therefore, I am home to deal with the 24/7 feeding he needs right now.

[Roxi's mom]

He shouldn't be fed with a bottle. Please go to a pharmacy and ask for a 1cc syringe (no needle). Tell them you are feeding an orphaned kitten, they will be more receptive. You will benefit from ordering some o ring syringes (both 1cc and 3cc) and some miracle nipples from Henrys Healthy Pets online. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to feed a little squirrel with those two things. If you would like me to send you some send me your address in a private message and I will get them out to you. Bottles are really dangerous as they can aspirate with them and then your little guy will need antibiotics to get better. :Love_Icon

I never said I was using a bottle and I never mentioned that I had syringes or not, but I do have 3cc syringes and 1cc syringes both of them Miracle syringes, and I have the miracle nipples. I have already ordered the silicone nipples and more of the syringes to have on hand. In answer to another comment from Rhapsody about my working, is that I did mention I work from home, so this is not a hardship for me to take care of him. I did raise Roxi from a 2-3 week old baby until her death from adrenal cancer at 7 1/2 years old, and just recently nursed my flyer Theo back from the brink of starvation if anyone remembers that. You are all great rehabbers, with great advice, but please give me a little credit. I love being on this board because of the great advice from everyone, but I am feeling a bit beaten up here with just this short thread so far. We all love these little creatures from Heaven and want what is best for them. I will call to pass him along to Rapsody, but I would like to care for him as well for a bit before I do. He is in good hands.

[Nancy in New York]

I never said I was using a bottle and I never mentioned that I had syringes or not, but I do have 3cc syringes and 1cc syringes both of them Miracle syringes, and I have the miracle nipples. I have already ordered the silicone nipples and more of the syringes to have on hand. In answer to another comment from Rhapsody about my working, is that I did mention I work from home, so this is not a hardship for me to take care of him. I did raise Roxi from a 2-3 week old baby until her death from adrenal cancer at 7 1/2 years old, and just recently nursed my flyer Theo back from the brink of starvation if anyone remembers that. You are all great rehabbers, with great advice, but please give me a little credit. I love being on this board because of the great advice from everyone, but I am feeling a bit beaten up here with just this short thread so far. We all love these little creatures from Heaven and want what is best for them. I will call to pass him along to Rapsody, but I would like to care for him as well for a bit before I do. He is in good hands.

A bottle was mentioned in your post below, so that probably lead Mel to believe you were using a bottle.

And he gives me quite a bit of a struggle when he's done eating but I want to feed them a little bit more which I'm thinking he thought the bottle was empty because it wouldn't go fast enough, but then I will stop after I see he's done for real.

Please don't feel beaten up. We only want what is best for this little one, and it seems that some things are getting a little confusing. IF you have questions and we answer, don't take offense, as I know that is not the intent.

I have been doing this for over 35 years, and I know how fragile these little lives can be at this age. To this day,
I still don't have all of the answers and still turn to my vet and the experts when I'm concerned. When I have a life
in my hands, I welcome ALL advice and help and have passed on squirrels to people I KNOW are better equipped to handle
certain situations.

Rhapsody has been doing this for years and probably done hundreds of little ones and seen far more than most people.
That is the reason we strongly suggest getting this little life to her. This is nothing personal.

[Roxi's mom]

The use of the word bottle was a force of habit just because I was feeding a baby, so I apologize for not remembering having said that. In any case, if I knew how to upload a video, I would show you all a video that he is not as critical as believed. A bit thin yes but very squirmy while trying to feed him and he makes a lot of baby noise while being held. He has been scratching himself with a hind leg and raising his arms for Scratches under the chin. He was 41 grams again to before eating, yesterday he was 41 after eating. Don't be surprised if you hear me say ounce instead of Graham because that's a force of habit too. :grin2. Rhapsody will be picking him up tomorrow afternoon. :thankyou[ATTACH]290371

[Nancy in New York]

The use of the word bottle was a force of habit just because I was feeding a baby, so I apologize for not remembering having said that. In any case, if I knew how to upload a video, I would show you all a video that he is not as critical as believed. A bit thin yes but very squirmy while trying to feed him and he makes a lot of baby noise while being held. He has been scratching himself with a hind leg and raising his arms for Scratches under the chin. He was 41 grams again to before eating, yesterday he was 41 after eating. Don't be surprised if you hear me say ounce instead of Graham because that's a force of habit too. :grin2. Rhapsody will be picking him up tomorrow afternoon. :thankyou[ATTACH]290371

Thank you for helping this little one. I fear if you hadn't stepped in,
he wouldn't be here.
Thank you! :w00t

[lennysmom]

I agree with Nancy, thank goodness you were there to get that little sweetie from the finder and get him the help he wouldn't have made it much longer without!:hug

[Roxi's mom]

Oh I would love to have Liam until he opens his eyes! He is such a sweetheart. Look at this tiny little miracle! 290375290376

[lennysmom]

Precious little sweetie.:Love_Icon

[Mel1959]

A bottle was mentioned in your post below, so that probably lead Mel to believe you were using a bottle.[/I


[B][I]
Please don't feel beaten up. We only want what is best for this little one, and it seems that some things are getting a little confusing. IF you have questions and we answer, don't take offense, as I know that is not the intent.

I have been doing this for over 35 years, and I know how fragile these little lives can be at this age. To this day,
I still don't have all of the answers and still turn to my vet and the experts when I'm concerned. When I have a life
in my hands, I welcome ALL advice and help and have passed on squirrels to people I KNOW are better equipped to handle
certain situations.

Rhapsody has been doing this for years and probably done hundreds of little ones and seen far more than most people.
That is the reason we strongly suggest getting this little life to her. This is nothing personal.


Thank you, Nancy, that is exactly why I said something about a bottle. :peace1

[Roxygirl]

So sweet...Takes me back to last fall when I was doing the same for Roxy.

[Rhapsody]

I picked up the little guy today..... other than being a little dehydrated he is in good shape and is pooping golden nuggets. :)
I will put him on homemade Pedialyte for the night, as I do all my intakes, then start him on Esbilac in the morning.
And as luck would have it I pick up a female baby squirrel today so Liam will have a cage mate. ♡

[Nancy in New York]

I picked up the little guy today..... other than being a little dehydrated he is in good shape and is pooping golden nuggets. :)
I will put him on homemade Pedialyte for the night, as I do all my intakes, then start him on Esbilac in the morning.
And as luck would have it I pick up a female baby squirrel today so Liam will have a cage mate. ♡

I'm so happy that Liam will have a cage mate. They need buddies.
We need tons of pictures you know. :poke

[Mel1959]

Liam having a cage mate makes my heart happy. :Love_Icon