Not pooping? Help!!

[Hdolbow729]

Hi everyone!!

Last night my neighbors found an approximately 4 week old eastern grey squirrel alone in their yard. They know how I feel about squirrels (I have one tattooed on my foot and feed the wild ones in my yard) so obviously they came to me.

I took him to my pet store and the owner was there. She gave me the Esbilac (yes with pro/prebiotic) and a 1cc syringe. I've been feeding every 3 hours since we've gotten him (.3-.4 ccs). I plan on getting a scale today! He's currently sleeping in an old tshirt in a box half on a heating pad set to low. I'm going to get a better set up today, also.

I've fed 5 times so far- I've gotten him to pee 3 times-it's light yellow, thank god! But I haven't been able to get him to poop.

Is this normal for a transition to formula? Should I be doing something else??

I can't figure out how to upload a photo from my phone or else I would!

Thank you!

[redwuff]

Hi,

Welcome to the Squirrel Board.

Sounds like you have done a lot of research. You are among friends. We love anyone who would tatoo a squirrel on their foot!

My biggest concern is that your baby needs hydration and should have been started on it first. So start hydration now. You can use pedialyte or a homemade solution of 2 c water, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt.

Don't worry about poop yet.

[Nancy in New York]

Hi everyone!!

Last night my neighbors found an approximately 4 week old eastern grey squirrel alone in their yard. They know how I feel about squirrels (I have one tattooed on my foot and feed the wild ones in my yard) so obviously they came to me.

I took him to my pet store and the owner was there. She gave me the Esbilac (yes with pro/prebiotic) and a 1cc syringe. I've been feeding every 3 hours since we've gotten him (.3-.4 ccs). I plan on getting a scale today! He's currently sleeping in an old tshirt in a box half on a heating pad set to low. I'm going to get a better set up today, also.

I've fed 5 times so far- I've gotten him to pee 3 times-it's light yellow, thank god! But I haven't been able to get him to poop.

Is this normal for a transition to formula? Should I be doing something else??

I can't figure out how to upload a photo from my phone or else I would!

Thank you!

We feed by weight of the squirrel.
Rule of thumb is 5-7% of their body weight.


Here's a link to help you with baby squirrel care.
It's 6 pages long with the NEXT button at the top right corner.
http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/

Ask all the questions you want, we are here to help.
I will pm you my email address, and you can send the pictures to that.

Edited: Removed formula amount.

[Nancy in New York]

Here's the little munchkin! :klunk

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-xQJVwL2/0/053a3e20/M/i-xQJVwL2-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-p5WpJ69/0/59cc4b2b/M/i-p5WpJ69-M.jpg

Sorry for some reason I can't turn this one.

291082

[Nancy in New York]

Also please tell your neighbors to watch out for more.
This little one could have lost his mother, and if that's the
case and there are siblings, they will make their way down as
well.
Here is what a baby squirrel sounds like when they are calling
for their mom. You most likely will hear this if mom is gone.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHGwgONYkHk

[Hdolbow729]

Hi,

Welcome to the Squirrel Board.

Sounds like you have done a lot of research. You are among friends. We love anyone who would tatoo a squirrel on their foot!

My biggest concern is that your baby needs hydration and should have been started on it first. So start hydration now. You can use pedialyte or a homemade solution of 2 c water, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt.

Don't worry about poop yet.

How much should I be giving him and how often? Should I alternate formula or just give him that for a few feedings?

[Hdolbow729]

Also please tell your neighbors to watch out for more.
This little one could have lost his mother, and if that's the
case and there are siblings, they will make their way down as
well.
Here is what a baby squirrel sounds like when they are calling
for their mom. You most likely will hear this if mom is gone.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHGwgONYkHk

Thank you!!! Do you agree he's around 4 weeks?

[TammyG]

I agree with the age. Mine are about the same and look similar.

[Spanky]

How much should I be giving him and how often? Should I alternate formula or just give him that for a few feedings?

Stick with hydration for a couple feedings. A scale is needed to get a weight to know how much with certainty!

I am guessing him around 90 grams, so 5ml of fluid +/-. But please get a scale.

At his age I feed every 3.5 - 4hours. After restarting formula, you can still give 1 -2 ml of water in between if necessary.

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you!!! Do you agree he's around 4 weeks?

Yes the age seems about right.
Remember to get the scale to weigh him it's vital to know
just how much to feed.

If you were feeding .3 to .4 that's way too little.
Also never force a squirrel to eat.
If they get antsy during feeding, they may need to be pottied.
After that try offering more. If they refuse, let them go until
the next feeding.

Here's a chart to help you.
https://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Feeding-Chart/i-JsmjnNr/0/X2/001-X2.jpg

[Hdolbow729]

So I just got home from Walmart. I got a scale and pedialyte plus all the stuff to make him a proper bed.

According to my scale he is only 54 grams.

[Spanky]

So I just got home from Walmart. I got a scale and pedialyte plus all the stuff to make him a proper bed.

According to my scale he is only 54 grams.

O, wow... I completely blew it with my guesstimate! :embar

Looking back on the pics now, I can see there was really nothing helpful in referencing his size. He is really small for his tail beginning to fluff like it is, which is what I think misled me.

So you want to only give 3-4ml. :thumbsup

[Hdolbow729]

O, wow... I completely blew it with my guesstimate! :embar

Looking back on the pics now, I can see there was really nothing helpful in referencing his size. He is really small for his tail beginning to fluff like it is, which is what I think misled me.

So you want to only give 3-4ml. :thumbsup

He does have a huge head lol

On a side note, I think one of his back legs is injured. I think it may be just the foot because he can move the "thigh" part but kind of drags his foot behind him. I called an emergency vet and they said they couldn't do anything they'd just euthanize him. He seems to be fine and gets around with no issue. Should I try to splint it ? Or just let it go until he's older?

[Spanky]

He does have a huge head lol

On a side note, I think one of his back legs is injured. I think it may be just the foot because he can move the "thigh" part but kind of drags his foot behind him. I called an emergency vet and they said they couldn't do anything they'd just euthanize him. He seems to be fine and gets around with no issue. Should I try to splint it ? Or just let it go until he's older?

Do you see an obvious break? Can you feel anything amiss with the leg?

[Hdolbow729]

Do you see an obvious break? Can you feel anything amiss with the leg?

No, nothing looks wrong with it visually. I don't feel any breaks either. He doesn't seem to be in pain-when I touch it, it doesn't bother him.

[Hdolbow729]

And we have poop!!! Third feeding of pedialyte.

How should I return him to formula?

[Nancy in New York]

And we have poop!!! Third feeding of pedialyte.

How should I return him to formula?

You can start him on the formula now.
Many will do the hydration AND formula.
In other words we typically feed as usual, and
hydrate in between regular feedings.
Just stick with the 5% rule of thumb.

[Nancy in New York]

And we have poop!!! Third feeding of pedialyte.

How should I return him to formula?

You can start him on the formula now.
Many will do the hydration AND formula.
In other words we typically feed as usual, and
hydrate in between regular feedings for one or two more times.
Just stick with the 5% rule of thumb for now, which would be 3 cc's.
After a while if he still wants more go up gradually.
Weigh him every day so you know how much to feed.
Glad that he pooped too! :woot

[Hdolbow729]

You can start him on the formula now.
Many will do the hydration AND formula.
In other words we typically feed as usual, and
hydrate in between regular feedings one or two more times.
Just stick with the 5% rule of thumb for now, which would be 3 cc's.
After a while if he still wants more go up gradually.
Weigh him every day so you know how much to feed.
Glad that he pooped too! :woot

Thank you!!! I was so excited!! Lol glad to know there are people that can help a newbie like me. 24 hours in...I think we're off to a good start! :grin3

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you!!! I was so excited!! Lol glad to know there are people that can help a newbie like me. 24 hours in...I think we're off to a good start! :grin3

As do I! Keep up the good work.
If you have ANY questions, please ask,
we ALL started somewhere. :)

Edit: One other question, when you gently pull the skin
on the back of his neck does it go down slow, or fast.
If it's slow he needs more hydration than 1 or 2 more times.
You can go to water with a touch of honey just for taste.
He looks really good in the pictures!

[Hdolbow729]

I tried the pinch test but he doesn't have a ton of extra skin. I'm thinking I'll do pedialyte one more time to be safe and then switch to formula with intermittent pedialyte. His urine is very pale yellow and has been the last two times. I also plan to water down the formula a bit so it's not so strong right off the bat.

[Nancy in New York]

I tried the pinch test but he doesn't have a ton of extra skin. I'm thinking I'll do pedialyte one more time to be safe and then switch to formula with intermittent pedialyte. His urine is very pale yellow and has been the last two times. I also plan to water down the formula a bit so it's not so strong right off the bat.

He really needs nourishment. You really weren't feeding him enough in the beginning at .3 - .4.
Make sure that you give him 3 WHOLE 1 cc syringes.
Do you have the 1 cc syringes, or are you using 3 cc syringes?
Do you have nipples on the syringes?
If he doesn't have a ton of extra skin that means he's hydrated.
I would start him on 1 part powdered puppy esbilac to 3 parts HOT water for a few feedings.
I typically let mine sit about 6 hours in the refrig so it all dissolves well. Then whisk it up again
before feeding drawing from the bottom to avoid the air bubbles,
then go full strength, 1 part formula to 2 parts water.
You don't need to use pedialyte in between feedings, if he is well hydrated, just use water with
a touch of honey.
His fur is also nice and smooth and not spikey which is great.

Here's an excellent video on hydration and the pinch test.
Scroll down roughly 1/3 of the page and watch the video, it's excellent.:w00t

https://www.squirrelsandmore.com/pages/basic-steps-to-taking-care-of-a-baby-squirrel

[Hdolbow729]

He really needs nourishment. You really weren't feeding him enough in the beginning at .3 - .4.
Make sure that you give him 3 WHOLE 1 cc syringes.
Do you have the 1 cc syringes, or are you using 3 cc syringes?
Do you have nipples on the syringes?
If he doesn't have a ton of extra skin that means he's hydrated.
I would start him on 1 part powdered puppy esbilac to 3 parts HOT water for a few feedings.
I typically let mine sit about 6 hours in the refrig so it all dissolves well. Then whisk it up again
before feeding drawing from the bottom to avoid the air bubbles,
then go full strength, 1 part formula to 2 parts water.
You don't need to use pedialyte in between feedings, if he is well hydrated, just use water with
a touch of honey.
His fur is also nice and smooth and not spikey which is great.

Here's an excellent video on hydration and the pinch test.
Scroll down roughly 1/3 of the page and watch the video, it's excellent.:w00t

https://www.squirrelsandmore.com/pages/basic-steps-to-taking-care-of-a-baby-squirrel




Yikes. I guess not.

Okay-so I made the 1 part to 3 part. He should get 3ccs. Right now I have a 1cc syringe. It doesn't have a nipple on it. The lady also gave me a 2 oz nursery bottle with nipple. He is doing well with the syringe, though. He holds onto it. So until I bump up I'll probably just keep using that and/or try to find a 3 cc syringe tomorrow.

[Nancy in New York]

Yikes. I guess not.

Okay-so I made the 1 part to 3 part. He should get 3ccs. Right now I have a 1cc syringe. It doesn't have a nipple on it. The lady also gave me a 2 oz nursery bottle with nipple. He is doing well with the syringe, though. He holds onto it. So until I bump up I'll probably just keep using that and/or try to find a 3 cc syringe tomorrow.

Oh no the 1 cc syringe is perfect!
Remember to feed him slowly and the tip of the syringe sort of pointing towards the roof of his mouth.
He would take 3 of those syringes that you have. If he takes less, try pottying him and then see if he
wants more. Sometimes they stop eating because they have to go to the bathroom so stimulate and then
try feeding again. We never force a squirrel to take more.
You can typically go to 3 cc syringes when they are taking greater quantities but some stay with the 1 cc.
No bottles they don't work well with squirrels.

[Hdolbow729]

Great! He easily took 2 ccs and gave up. Peed but still didn't want more so I'll try for 3 during our next feeding!

Thank you so much :)

[Nancy in New York]

Great! He easily took 2 ccs and gave up. Peed but still didn't want more so I'll try for 3 during our next feeding!

Thank you so much :)

You did perfect! :w00t