How much should they eat?

[amy2283]

I have not rehabbed for 2 years. I was brought 2 greys that look to be 5 weeks old. I have to weight them tonight but it seems to me they are not eating the way they should. They are defecating a few minutes after stimulating. They are eating 2cc every 3 hours and seem to fall asleep during the feeding. Ideas?

[DarkLies212]

5-7% of their body weight should be fed.

IE: 75 grams = 3.75cc - 5.25cc fed each feeding. At 5 weeks old, stretch out their feedings an hour. That should help too

[amy2283]

5-7% of their body weight should be fed.

IE: 75 grams = 3.75cc - 5.25cc fed each feeding. At 5 weeks old, stretch out their feedings an hour. That should help too

Thank You. I just want to make sure they are eating enough. They went 5 hours last nigh because i over slept and they ate 2.5cc a piece and fell asleep.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thank You. I just want to make sure they are eating enough. They went 5 hours last nigh because i over slept and they ate 2.5cc a piece and fell asleep.

A 5 week old can easily go 4 hrs (even 5) between feeding and nighttime feedings aren't necessary. Get some sleep mom. :)
I do feed them late before going to bed and early in the morning so that the nighttime interval is about 6 hrs.

As DL212 said, stretch the feedings out and you should see the intake increase.

I would definitely get a weight on them.

[amy2283]

They look alot thinner that the one i had before. They like to sleep and cuddle alot.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Are the eyes open yet?
Can you post a pic?

[amy2283]

I can text a somewhat pic from my phone but i cannot post one. There eyes are open but i do not know for how long.

[amy2283]

how old is the one in your profile picture? That is what their faces look like now.

[HRT4SQRLS]

He was about 6 weeks old there.
Can you email the pic? I can send my email address.

[amy2283]

SURE

[HRT4SQRLS]

A pic when they first arrived. :)

291927

It's hard to tell from the pic but the tail looks like it's starting to fluff a little.
Eyes open ... maybe 5-6 weeks but really hard to tell.

When you get a chance snap a recent pic and I'll post it. At that size they should definitely be eating more than 2.5 ml.

How long have you had them? Are they dehydrated? That will decrease the appetite.

You have them on a heating pad (LOW) right?

[amy2283]

Heating pad on low. I have hydrated them but they did not want to take it. Could it be cause they are tramatized?

[amy2283]

I have had them since last nigh at 8pm

[HRT4SQRLS]

Eyes open babies are usually afraid but they usually are very thirsty and will take the hydration fluid. They usually love the hydration fluid because it's sweet. I have more trouble getting them to take the formula.

Here is a link to baby squirrel care that might have some tips that will help. On page 2 is the recipe for the hydration fluid.

https://www.henryspets.com/1-basic-setup/

Edit... sometimes it helps to wrap them in fleece and pull a corner over their eyes. What they don't see isn't so scary. :tilt

[amy2283]

I sent you an email again with a new pic of one.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Awww, it that a little fox squirrel?

291939

[amy2283]

I don't think so. They look more like an eastern grey. They have a few red hairs but mostly grey. I got them warmed a little more and they are both eating 4 to 5 cc every 4 to five hours. I do have one question. If I am unable to get to them due to work, is it ok that they go a max of 6 hours before a feeding?

[Mel1959]

I think they can go a max of 6 hrs between a feeding, because you aren't getting up to feed them at night, right? Now would be a good time to put some type of rodent block in their bin. Online you can purchase Harlan Teklad 2018 or Henry's Healthy Blocks hi-protein formula. Both are made for youngsters like yours. That way if they are hungry during the time you are gone they will knaw on the block. You don't want to introduce any other foods till they are eating the block REALLY well.

[amy2283]

I usually get up once during the night to feed them. Last night i did not wake up and they went 8 hours. They both ate 6ml of milk this am and acted wonderful. I have the henrys block purchased and i am waiting on it to arrive. I just want to make sure that a 6 hours span will not hurt them or dehydrate them.

[redwuff]

Amy make sure you wrap them in a piece of fleece while you feed them. That will help them feel more secure. What are you feeding them and what did they weigh. They do look under wt. That is no problem if they are getting good nutrition, and enough feedings. As much as you are able, I would try to feed 5 xs/ day till they get caught back up. I would feed at 5% at first. Slow and steady wins the race. Once their wt picks up then you can drop a feeding. As far as the six hours for work....you gotta do what ya gotta do. If you can't get 5 feedings in up the amount at each feeding but do it slowly. Abrupt changes in feeding can cause diarrhea.

Thanks for caring and saving these babies...they needed you:grouphug

[amy2283]

RedWuff,

I have them eating 6cc every 4 hours and once in the middle of the night. I have not gotten a weight on them yet as my scale decided to die. Just by a visual and the way they are eating, I can tell they have gained a lot in the past week. I have a runt I do believe because even his features are a lot smaller than the other. Just from the picture posted, they have gained so much and their tails are filling our great. The smaller one does not like being wrapped up at all, he wants to lay on your lap and eat. The bigger one loves to be wrapped up, if he is not wrapped he becomes distracted and will not eat. They have become more active this week and staying awake longer than usual.