My squirrel refuses water, what should I do?

[CLK]

Hello, I am new to this website. I have a question (probably may more to come.) My squirrel will not drink water, he use to drink it but has recently been refusing it. I have tried syringes, the water feeder, small bottles etc. The only thing he will do is lick ice cubes. I'm worried about dehydration, I feel bad about forcing a syringe in his mouth so he will get the water he needs, but it seems necessary. Is there anything I could do to make sure hes getting proper hydration? Any tricks or tips for getting him to drink more water? I've had to give him re-hydration twice this week because he didn't drink anything at all, which he sucked down pretty quickly. I don't want him to rely on re-hydration fluid though unless its extremely necessary.

That's my first question. But secondly is there any recommendations of fruits and vegetables he might like? He's beginning to eat solid foods along with esbilac, and he is pretty picky about the foods he eats. He seems to like watermelon, strawberries, and apples. As far as vegetables he likes baby carrots, and some lettuce. I'd like him to have a good variety of fruits and vegetables but again he's really picky. Is there anything for sure he'd like? Anything in specific that works for all squirrels?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!



A little about him, he is a Eastern gray squirrel. I found him outside by himself when I was feeding the birds he was all alone, mother never showed up, and he was so small I couldn't bare the thought of leaving him alone. When I found him I'd say he was roughly 4 or 5 weeks old. He was very tired looking and skinny. He was coming to steal some bread I was feeding to the birds and my heart immediately felt the need to love and save him. Here is some pictures of my little guy Admiral! :)

293290293292293293293294293295

[ques96]

Are these recent photos? If so he still needs to be on formula. Below are some questions that need answered so that we may better help you:

1 What type of formula are you feeding
2 how much and how often are you feeding formula
3 what are you using to feed him bottle or syringe and what size
4 what type of cage/container is he being kept in
5 what is being used for bedding
6 does he have a heat source if so what type
7 has he had milk come out of his nose during feeding
8 do you have a scale? Have you been able to weigh him? This is important so we know how much he should be eating.

[CLK]

The picture of him sleep with the teddy bear in it is the most recent photograph. The one of him eating was taken 2 weeks ago, the others were when I first found him. So he is using the esbilac powder formula. I've been giving him 15mL(1 tbsp) every 4 to 5 hours. The bottle I've been using is GNC Pets Newborn Nursing Kit, with pointed nipple (I like this bottle because it allows me to control the flow while he drinks.) The syringe is a regular store one with a elongated semi curved tip, which I only find the need to use when he isn't drinking water (times like right now.) He is currently using a pet carrier with double screened windows temporarily, I'm waiting for his cage to come, probably by Wednesday hopefully sooner, which will be a 31 x 20.5 x 40 inches in size. For bedding he sleeps on a fuzzy blanket in his carrier. For heating I have a heating pad underneath him on low unless I have my electric fireplace heater on in my room (which I do 80% of the time.) When drinking he doesn't have milk coming out of his nose unless he starts drinking too quickly then he'll sneeze some out, but I always hold him upside down to make sure it is all out before I continue to feed him. I have not had a scale that would weigh his body size until today, as of today he is 211 g / 7 1/2 oz.

Thanks again! I appreciate the help!

[ques96]

According to his weight he is getting the appropriate amount of formula. Can you tell us or post a picture of the formula that you are using? Don't panic about the water intake if you are feeding him formula (liquid) 15 cc every 4-5 hours he is getting sufficient hydration.. once you get his cage you can start offering water in a shallow dish or hanging water bottle. A quality rodent block needs to be his first solid food. You can purchase really good ones specially formulated for squirrels at henryspets.com. If you give any other solids before he is eating block consistently he may become a picky eater and not get the correct amount of nutrients he needs. I would also move the heating pad to under half of the cage and keep it on all the time. With it only being under half this allows him to move away from heat if he gets too warm. Bless you for helping this little one!

[ques96]

You did say that he has had milk come out of his nose. If you hold him up to your ear do you hear any soft clicking when he breathes? How is his activity?

[CLK]

I am just worried that when it comes time to weaning him off formula he will still reject the water. I have a water feeder that I will hang inside his cage when it does come. Do you recommend the adult squirrel block or the baby squirrel block for his first time use? I was meaning to get squirrel block before introducing him to fruits and vegetables but I've been unsure of which brand/ age range to get him.


293309

This is the formula I've been using, but questioning now if I should switch him over to Henry's formal instead.

Thank you again for being extremely helpful!

[CLK]

Yes, he has had a small amount I assume coming out of his nose, unless his mouth was full and he somehow managed to get some in his nose, which then reacted the sneezing? I hear like faint clicking noses once in a while but its not constant. He's very active at certain hours like in the morning hours and mid-afternoon, but also sleeps a lot as well.

[ques96]

I am just worried that when it comes time to weaning him off formula he will still reject the water. I have a water feeder that I will hang inside his cage when it does come. Do you recommend the adult squirrel block or the baby squirrel block for his first time use? I was meaning to get squirrel block before introducing him to fruits and vegetables but I've been unsure of which brand/ age range to get him.


293309

This is the formula I've been using, but questioning now if I should switch him over to Henry's formal instead.

Thank you again for being extremely helpful!

It is a preference really on the formula. Some rehabbers do esbilac some do fv and some do a 50/50 mix. If he is doing well and gaining you can continue as you are doing if you want to switch to FV then you want the one for babies 4 weeks and older. I will include a photo. As far as the blocks go you would want the ones for babies. I will include a photo for those as well.293320293321

[ques96]

Yes, he has had a small amount I assume coming out of his nose, unless his mouth was full and he somehow managed to get some in his nose, which then reacted the sneezing? I hear like faint clicking noses once in a while but its not constant. He's very active at certain hours like in the morning hours and mid-afternoon, but also sleeps a lot as well.


You may want to try and get some antibiotics proactively in the event that he starts to show signs of aspirative pneumonia. The following would be appropriate:

Baytril (animal antibotic)
Cipro (Human)
Clavamox or Augmentin.

All you need is ONE pill and we can dose once you give us the strength/mg of the pill and
the babies exact weigh in grams. We need both to accurately dose

Please do NOT give medication without one of the members on here giving you dosing instructions as overdose can be fatal.

I will try and find the video on here that shows a baby with pneumonia so that you may compare to what your baby is doing. Hopefully another member sees this and can direct you to the video sooner than I can find it.

[Nancy in New York]

I am just worried that when it comes time to weaning him off formula he will still reject the water.

Just for clarification, you never wean a baby off formula.
You give it to them as long as they will take it. I've had some
that took it 6+ months, plus block and veggies as well.
Formula is their best insurance again Metabolic Bone Disease.
Your baby is just precious!~

[CLK]

To ques96: Is there any over the counter antibiotics that would work as well?


To Nancy in New York: I will keep him on formula as long as he needs I just also want him to expand his diet horizons. And thank you! He is just too cute!

[CLK]

To ques96: Come to think of it, he has been sneezing at night time. I have found IC Sulfamethoxazole TMP DS tablets(SMZ-TMP DS, 160 MG. Can these be used? I will continue to see what else I have.

[ques96]

To ques96: Come to think of it, he has been sneezing at night time. I have found IC Sulfamethoxazole TMP DS tablets(SMZ-TMP DS, 160 MG. Can these be used? I will continue to see what else I have.


Besides sneezing what else are you noticing?

Clicking ?
Lethargy?
We want to make sure that we treat quickly however we do not want to treat if it isn't a definite.

I know that SMZ-TMP has been used before I will have to defer to Nancy or another member with more experience dosing it. I can send you a copy tablet if you send your address in a private message.

[CLK]

He has occasionally coughed a few times. He's very hyper when he is awake but does look more tired than usual and seems to sleep a lot. I made the assumption that was normal behavior. The clicking is faint but not constant, you can hear a faint clicking if you listen extremely closely but it lasts a few seconds then stops. I will message you my address.

[Nancy in New York]

The bottle I've been using is GNC Pets Newborn Nursing Kit, with pointed nipple (I like this bottle because it allows me to control the flow while he drinks.) The syringe is a regular store one with a elongated semi curved tip, which I only find the need to use when he isn't drinking water (times like right now.)

Just noticed this. We never recommend nursing bottles. They aspirate so easily when using these.
I would suggest getting some 1 mls syringes and some 3 mls syringes, and miracle nipples.
They are SO much safer.
You can get these at Squirrels and More or at Henry's.

[ques96]

I am mailing out 1 Cipro tablet along with a dosing syringe as well as feeding syringes tomorrow. You should receive it on Thursday. Please post on the board when you receive it along with baby's weight in grams so that the dose calculations can be done for you. If symptoms get worse before receiving the package please post and have the other antibiotic you have on hand ready.

[CLK]

I will let you know as soon as it gets here! I will also be monitoring him until then very closely, will update you on any changes! You've been a tremendous help, I can't begin to thank you enough!

[CLK]

I have received your package today! Thank you so much again! I'm wondering if I should administer it or hold off. He has been more active the past couple of days since I finally got the cage. He has also began drinking his water again. He still sneezes off and on that's my only concern.
I've also switched him from the bottle to a syringe. But he has been wanting solid food more than formula for some reason, I'll give the formula before the solid foods and he just hides his face. He drank only 10 mL of the formula last night and 7 mL the day before along with the fruits and vegetables he had for breakfast and lunch. Not sure if this is good or bad? I ordered the squirrel block which should be coming by tomorrow so hopefully that will be making up for lack of formula he has been consuming.

[cava]

It will supplement the formula but he won't eat that rodent block if you are already giving fruit and veggies. Stop all of that and ONLY give the rodent block until he is eating it faithfully for a week at least, then offer some veggies for days, and then he can try fruit as a treat here and there. There is no rush to introduce food when he is eating his formula and starting on blocks.

I can't wait to see an updated photo of this cutie!!:Love_Icon

[CLK]

He doesn't seem to want the formula though, he drinks small amounts of it now. But will eat the other food I provide because I don't want him to end up starving. If I stop the vegetables and fruit starting tomorrow you think he'll drink formula? And if so, what should I do if he denies the formula? I don't want to leave him hungry.

( edit) P.s. The newest photos are in my album from the other day! :)

[cava]

Yes, if all he has to eat is formula (and blocks when you get them) then that's what he'll eat. You may have to try harder and offer it more often to get him back on track, but once he knows nothing else is coming, then he should be hungry and eat the formula.

[Mel1959]

If he is hungry and has no other food available to him, he will drink formula. Squirrels are stubborn, but not stupid. He won't starve himself. When you get the block put it in his cage with no other foods. Offer his formula as you have been. I'm not sure how many times a day you are feeding, but sometimes it's necessary to cut out a feeding. I have 12+ week olds that are still getting formula twice a day. Block is the foundation for a healthy diet.

[CLK]

I will try out that starting once the blocks come (tomorrow as far as UPS claims.) So formula with block until he gets to use the block, do I completely stop the fruits and vegetables while hes on the block and formula combo? And whenever he's off the formula do the block along with the vegetables and fruits then? Thank you again for being so helpful!

[Mel1959]

Yes, stop the fruits and veggies until you see him eating the block well for about a week. You will have to go through his cage to be sure he's not stashing them instead of eating them. When you know he's eating them well, then add in some veggies, while still offering formula. The fruit is not a mainstay of their diet and should only be offered occasionally as a treat. And don't offer any nuts until block and veggies are being eaten really well. Nuts are also an occasional treat.

[ques96]

Glad you received the package. From what you are saying I would hold off on the antibiotics for now and monitor him. Squirrels will pft, pft pft every once in a while. Hold him up to your ear in a quite room and listen for clicking when he breathes. If you don't hear any and he is active and eating I wouldn't give the antibiotics.

[CLK]

Alright thank you! I just wanted to make sure ahead of time so I do everything correctly. :)

And I will keep listing to him. I had watched a video of a baby squirrel with pneumonia the other day. His clicking isn't as loud as the one I saw on the video. You'd have to put your ear on him to even hear the sound he makes its faint as well and on and off. The only thing I noticed that was similar was the breathing, how the stomach pulsates quickly, not sure if that's just how all squirrels are? Is it okay if he is still sneezing once in a while though?

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

This is the video I watched with the squirrel at :20 seconds they show the breathing

[Diggie's Friend]

http://www.ewildagain.org/assets/aspirationinsquirrels.pdf

Sounds like pneumonia in both the sounds and description of the breathing you have given.

[ques96]

Alright thank you! I just wanted to make sure ahead of time so I do everything correctly. :)

And I will keep listing to him. I had watched a video of a baby squirrel with pneumonia the other day. His clicking isn't as loud as the one I saw on the video. You'd have to put your ear on him to even hear the sound he makes its faint as well and on and off. The only thing I noticed that was similar was the breathing, how the stomach pulsates quickly, not sure if that's just how all squirrels are? Is it okay if he is still sneezing once in a while though?

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

This is the video I watched with the squirrel at :20 seconds they show the breathing

So he IS clicking? He does have rapid breathing? Please clarify exactly what he is doing. Can you get a video of him?

[CLK]

Its very faint barely noticeable little clicks if you hold your ear to him, the breathing is similar to the one in the video. Is there anyway I could give him a very tiny portion of the antibiotic just to be sure and see if it makes any differences?

I'll try to video him when he's asleep.

[ques96]

Since he has aspirated and you hear clicking I would go ahead and have one of our long time members do the dosing for the antibiotics. What is his weight? This will be needed so that the correct dose can be calculated.

[CLK]

So I weighed him several times he was 230, I think I might have incorrectly weighed him the first time. I'm going to wait and weigh him in the morning before he eats anything just to be 100% sure its accurate.

This is the video I took so you can see the breathing, let me know if the link doesn't work(its should though.)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7TgdpleBhbla0RJMGNONzNER0E

[Diggie's Friend]

Activity wise he doesn't appear listless, as squirrels that go 'down' literally with pneumonia do, for they don't have this kind of energy as he appears to have, as is my present understanding of that condition. Then again, I haven't seen what he is like the rest of the time, as you have. Maybe he has some other kind of respiritory issue? I would defer you to the experience of the expert that has written on aspiration in the file I posted to compare what you see with what you read on this issue, and share what it is like and what else you see that may not be. Then share here what you see is similar or dissimilar so that the rehabbers on the board may get a better idea of what is going on with him.

[ques96]

I sent antibiotics in case they are needed. It seem to be going back and forth with this little one as far as treating or taking the wait and see approach. I am going to step out of this thread and defer to the long time rehabbers on here.