Dehydration?

[Crystal]

My new orphans that are now 5 weeks and opening eyes still seem a little dehydrated. Been giving a Powerade/Pedialyte mix a couple times a day in between feedings. Giving Esiblac every 4-5 hours also. Can you think of anything else? When I pinch the top skin it stays for a few seconds is why I am concerned.

[Nancy in New York]

My new orphans that are now 5 weeks and opening eyes still seem a little dehydrated. Been giving a Powerade/Pedialyte mix a couple times a day in between feedings. Giving Esiblac every 4-5 hours also. Can you think of anything else? When I pinch the top skin it stays for a few seconds is why I am concerned.

Stop with the Powerade.
Please don't ever feed that to a squirrel.
How long have you been giving this mix?
Give Pedialyte no more than 24 hours, unless they have diarrhea.
You can give them plain water with just a touch of honey for taste.
What kind of Esbilac are you feeding?
It should be the one pictured below.
How much do they weigh and how much are you feeding every 4-5 hours?
Can you post a picture?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fbcDH6c/0/5fb600fb/S/i-fbcDH6c-S.jpg

[Crystal]

Stop with the Powerade.
Please don't ever feed that to a squirrel.
How long have you been giving this mix?
Give Pedialyte no more than 24 hours, unless they have diarrhea.
You can give them plain water with just a touch of honey for taste.
What kind of Esbilac are you feeding?
It should be the one pictured below.
How much do they weigh and how much are you feeding every 4-5 hours?
Can you post a picture?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fbcDH6c/0/5fb600fb/S/i-fbcDH6c-S.jpg

That is what my vet advised. I am doing just water now. Only gave it through yesterday. That is why I was posting for some advice. These are the 11th squirrels I have rehabbed. Just was wondering what other do. Thanks for the advice!

[Nancy in New York]

Can you post a photo or better yet a short video showing us
how the skin goes down?

[Crystal]

Can you post a photo or better yet a short video showing us
how the skin goes down?

My phone won't let me send for some reason, gonna try again.

[Crystal]

I had to take a picture of the video I could not get the video to upload for some reason it is better than it was but there is still just a little bit hanging on for 1 to 2 seconds now

[Nancy in New York]

I would keep giving the hydration in between feedings for
the next 2-3 feedings. It does take a little while for their skin to go down normally,
so if you are saying it stays up only for a second or two, that sounds
good to me.
Did you say how much they weigh, and how much they eat at each feeding?

[Crystal]

I would keep giving the hydration in between feedings for
the next 2-3 feedings. It does take a little while for their skin to go down normally,
so if you are saying it stays up only for a second or two, that sounds
good to me.
Did you say how much they weigh, and how much they eat at each feeding?

2oz and 6-8 cc every 4-5 hrs. Sometimes they take up to 10 cc.

[Spanky]

2oz and 6-8 cc every 4-5 hrs. Sometimes they take up to 10 cc.

2 oz is basically 60 grams (which is small for eyes open) and 5% is 3ml and 7% is 4.2ml which suggests things are out of kilter if they are getting 6 - 8ml and up to 10ml per feeding.

Is it certain these are 60 grams squirrels?

[Crystal]

2 oz is basically 60 grams (which is small for eyes open) and 5% is 3ml and 7% is 4.2ml which suggests things are out of kilter if they are getting 6 - 8ml and up to 10ml per feeding.

Is it certain these are 60 grams squirrels?


I think my scale may be off some. Going by the vet Monday to get a definite. I thought that was odd also. But they are small.

[Crystal]

The babies are doing much better today!! Thanks so much Nancy for all the advice!

:hug

[Nancy in New York]

The babies are doing much better today!! Thanks so much Nancy for all the advice!

:hug

Great update. Thanks for letting us know. :hug

[Crystal]

On a great note the orphans, Babbett, Wanderer and Prince are growing up perfect!!!!

[Nancy in New York]

Absolutely precious, and I love the names!
How much do they weigh and how much are you feeding?
They look a little on the small side, but depending on where
you live, the weight can differ ~100 grams or more even
at 5 weeks.
Do you live in the south?
No need to be real specific.

Keep the pictures coming!:w00t

[SammysMom]

They are adorable! :Love_Icon

[Crystal]

Absolutely precious, and I love the names!
How much do they weigh and how much are you feeding?
They look a little on the small side, but depending on where
you live, the weight can differ ~100 grams or more even
at 5 weeks.
Do you live in the south?
No need to be real specific.

Keep the pictures coming!:w00t

Yes I am a Southern Woman lol!! Two of them look real good but the runt "Babbett" is very much on the small side. Two of them weigh 3.2 oz and the runt is 2.7 oz.They are all starting to eat nuts and veggies but still want the milk. My husband believes she may have a hard time absorbing nutrients. I will most likely take them to the vet at 6 weeks for a checkup.

[Mel1959]

No nuts! These guys should learn to eat a good quality rodent block like Harlan Teklad or Henry’s before they eat veggies. Both must be ordered online. Giving a baby nuts at this age is like giving a toddler ice cream or candy then expecting them to eat spinach. They will turn their noses up at everything that’s not a nut and nuts are not good for captive squirrels, but especially babies. Because of the improper calcium to phosphorous ratio they rob the squirrels body of the calcium it needs to have strong bones and ultimately survive. They can develop metabolic bone disease which can be fatal if untreated.

Stashing nuts in their cages can lead to aggression when they’re older. They will protect their stash with claws and teeth!

[Crystal]

No nuts! These guys should learn to eat a good quality rodent block like Harlan Teklad or Henry’s before they eat veggies. Both must be ordered online. Giving a baby nuts at this age is like giving a toddler ice cream or candy then expecting them to eat spinach. They will turn their noses up at everything that’s not a nut and nuts are not good for captive squirrels, but especially babies. Because of the improper calcium to phosphorous ratio they rob the squirrels body of the calcium it needs to have strong bones and ultimately survive. They can develop metabolic bone disease which can be fatal if untreated.

Stashing nuts in their cages can lead to aggression when they’re older. They will protect their stash with claws and teeth!

They have been eating rodent blocks for 2 weeks now. The nuts and veggies were just a new addition. I feed my outside squirrels a mix of nuts, rodent blocks and veggies.

[Mel1959]

The nuts are still not a good idea for babies this young. Outside squirrels can eat nuts because they eat a variety of foods that balance their systems. Captive squirrels don’t have that liberty. They eat what we provide for them.

When I rehab squirrels I rarely if ever give any nuts. If I should give an occasional nut it isn’t till they are close to being released. I don’t release until they are around 16 weeks old.

[Crystal]

The nuts are still not a good idea for babies this young. Outside squirrels can eat nuts because they eat a variety of foods that balance their systems. Captive squirrels don’t have that liberty. They eat what we provide for them.

When I rehab squirrels I rarely if ever give any nuts. If I should give an occasional nut it isn’t till they are close to being released. I don’t release until they are around 16 weeks old.

Oh ok. I was not aware of that. I have brought in tree limbs and pine cones for the outside nutrients. I have always gone by what the vet tells me is best. He does work for our local zoo. I trust more from you guys than anyone though. THANK YOU!

[Crystal]

Completely back on blocks! Thanks for every ones advice! Keep it coming! I would do anything for my squirrel children!