Red squirrel not eating.

[JFAIR]

I have had him for ~4 weeks now. He has been eating fantastic and putting on weight. I had him on the FV 20/50 but with advice I started mixing it 75/25 with Esbilac a few days ago. He is very active, peeing and pooping with stimulation and also on his own. So this morning he opened his eyes! We are thrilled! He didn't eat more than .5 cc's at his 4am feeding but I just kind of accepted it. I have tried every three hours all day today and he just doesn't want to eat. He is very active right now. Almost as if he is trying to explore everything he can. I am wondering if the not eating has something to do with eyes opening. Should I worry just yet?

[Spanky]

Wow, you have cared for this little one since they were a week old or so?! :dance

I have never raised a red, but I have never had a squirrel change it's feeding habits because their eyes opened. If he has not eaten anything but 0.5ml since this morning, I would start to wonder...

If you hold him to your ear and listen, is there a clicking sound or raspi-ness in his breathing at all?

[Nancy in New York]

I have had him for ~4 weeks now. He has been eating fantastic and putting on weight. I had him on the FV 20/50 but with advice I started mixing it 75/25 with Esbilac a few days ago. He is very active, peeing and pooping with stimulation and also on his own. So this morning he opened his eyes! We are thrilled! He didn't eat more than .5 cc's at his 4am feeding but I just kind of accepted it. I have tried every three hours all day today and he just doesn't want to eat. He is very active right now. Almost as if he is trying to explore everything he can. I am wondering if the not eating has something to do with eyes opening. Should I worry just yet?

Could this little one have aspirated?
What size syringes are you using?
Do you have any antibiotics, preferably clavamox, or augmentin or cipro (human) or baytril (animal),
just in case.
Try to give him hydration fluids. Try a little water with just a touch of honey for taste, not too much.
Warm this as you would the formula.
Try giving him just the FV again, and see if he will take that.
Is the Esbilac you're giving the powdered one?
Is he peeing and pooping alright?
What is his weight and how much does he typically eat at each feeding, and how often do you feed?

[JFAIR]

He just ate 3cc like a little pig. Crazy. I don't know what was going on with him. I've been very careful not to aspirate him. Lately I hold the plunger back, not push it. Thanks for the reply. Pics of him in the welcome thread from the day I found him. He was in the middle of the parking lot at work. He is one cool little dude.

[Nancy in New York]

. He is one cool little dude.

Well reds ARE the coolest after all. :)

[JFAIR]

Hi Nancy. You beat me to the last post. I did go back to straight FV. I will try the Esbilac again in a few days. I held him to my ear while he was sleeping. I hear no clicking. Feeding every 4 hours with a 3cc O ring syringe and miracle nipple. He is peeing and pooping great on his own and on cue with stimulation after each feeding. I did get the correct formula. Powder with probiotics. Henry's blocks on the way. Hopefully all is well now. Just a little scare I guess.

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Nancy. You beat me to the last post. I did go back to straight FV. I will try the Esbilac again in a few days. I held him to my ear while he was sleeping. I hear no clicking. Feeding every 4 hours with a 3cc O ring syringe and miracle nipple. He is peeing and pooping great on his own and on cue with stimulation after each feeding. I did get the correct formula. Powder with probiotics. Henry's blocks on the way. Hopefully all is well now. Just a little scare I guess.

Oh they will do that to us.
Glad that all is well. :w00t
I'm also glad you are so vigilant.
Better to be safe, and ask questions than
not. :hug

[JFAIR]

Wow, you have cared for this little one since they were a week old or so?! :dance

I have never raised a red, but I have never had a squirrel change it's feeding habits because their eyes opened. If he has not eaten anything but 0.5ml since this morning, I would start to wonder...

If you hold him to your ear and listen, is there a clicking sound or raspi-ness in his breathing at all?

Well I just checked the dates and I've had him for ~3 weeks now. Sure feels like more. :grin2. I'm tired.

[gunpackingrandma]

Enjoy your red while he is young. My red is the cutest fuzzy butt ever but he is either running a hundred miles a minute or passed out! What I wouldn't do to have him a baby again, I really miss the cuddle days... Squirrel prayers sent your way for continue success! :squirrel3

[Mel1959]

I don't think it's a necessity that he be on a combination of FV and Esbilac. FV is what is recommended once their eyes open, although some do mix it with Esbilac. He may not like the taste of the Esbilac.