Not eating after separating

[Awaiting Abyss]

I separated my two babies (5 week old girl and 6 week old boy) because the girl wouldn't stop nursing on his penis. It is pretty swollen. However, ever since separating them, they don't even want formula. They drink maybe 1cc per meal before just completely refusing. I separated them earlier today.

[Spanky]

This is not because they have been separated. There has to be something else going on....

She is likely suckling on him because she is not being fed enough or frequently enough. But sometimes this does happen with proper feeding.

Have you tried offering the formula hotter, cooler? Sometimes they get fussy about formula temperature.

Are they "clicking"... hold them to your ear and listen very carefully for clicking with each breath. Clicking and / or lethargy and loss of appetite can mean Aspiration Pneumonia (AP).

[Javarat]

If they are not feeling well, they may 'shut off' after one syringe. Their hunger will make them want to eat the first one.. but after the first syringe takes the edge off the hunger off they will show disinterest.
I had a little girl who did this after she was recuperating from bloat. She grabbed the first one, and then I had to slowly sneak additional syringes into her mouth (with her batting most of them away), and give her just a little taste to initiate suckling.

Test the formula on the inside of your wrist.. I have frequently had some that refuse it unless it feels 'hot' (not warm) on the wrist, like coffee. Often hotter than I would have expected.

More information about any other foods they are getting might provide a clue.
Like have you recently started giving them solids, and what types?

[cava]

To be thorough, what are you feeding them?

[Mel1959]

I separated my two babies (5 week old girl and 6 week old boy) because the girl wouldn't stop nursing on his penis. It is pretty swollen. However, ever since separating them, they don't even want formula. They drink maybe 1cc per meal before just completely refusing. I separated them earlier today.

Please be sure the little boy can urinate. Sometimes when their suckled and the penis is swollen it blocks the urethra and they can’t get the urine out. They can also develop a small scrap on the tip that must be soaked with warm water to soften and remove it.

I had one whose penis would blow up like a balloon as he tried to eliminate, in spite of there not being any scab. I had to gently express it and put warm water on it to help him urinate.

[Awaiting Abyss]

I had a boy who came to me with a hurt penis last year so I'm caring for him in the same way. (I made a thread here about it last year)

I'm feeding powdered esbilac 1 part to 2 parts water. Currently I haven't started putting any solids with them.

I've been feeding the girl once every 4 hours and 4-5 times throughout the day.

They aren't clicking and do not sound or look ill.

They have eaten better this morning so far. The girl took 5ccs and the boy took 7ccs, still below normal amount but more than they ate yesterday.

[Spanky]

Have you tried offering the formula hotter, cooler? Sometimes they get fussy about formula temperature.



I've been feeding the girl once every 4 hours and 4-5 times throughout the day.

They aren't clicking and do not sound or look ill.

They have eaten better this morning so far. The girl took 5ccs and the boy took 7ccs, still below normal amount but more than they ate yesterday.

Have you experimented with the formula temperature at eating?

How often is the boy getting fed?

How much do they weigh?

Understand that lack of appetite is a sign of illness (even though this may be more a potty of formula temp issue) and with squirrels (prey animals) often when they start showing outward signs of illness it is critical and requires quick response.

[Mel1959]

Their weight is crucial to know. They are fed based on weight, not age.

[Javarat]

We would have a better idea of your situation if you told us their weights.

[Awaiting Abyss]

Have you experimented with the formula temperature at eating?

How often is the boy getting fed?

How much do they weigh?

Understand that lack of appetite is a sign of illness (even though this may be more a potty of formula temp issue) and with squirrels (prey animals) often when they start showing outward signs of illness it is critical and requires quick response.


The boy is being fed at the same time. Sorry I didn't include him since it was mentioned she may not be fed enough, but they get fed at the same times just get different amounts.

Yes, I keep track of their weights. The female is 82 grams and the male is 98 grams. They are Gray Squirrels.

I have tried different formula temperatures.. however I did dump out all of the formula (I make a small batch at a time that will last maybe 2 meals) and made more and now they seem to be eating fine ... The formula I dumped out was made at my work so I used bottled drinking water. At home I use well water.

[Awaiting Abyss]

I also wanted to add, the boy's penis looks much better today after being separated.