*Sigh* Help!

[Adalisk]

Ok, so my Male squirrel has been doing great, he was doing very good lastnight, Aswell. But today, he seems to be kind of sluggish and he's not wanting to eat as much as he usually does =\ And his eye lids are just starting to open, I can see his little eyes now. What may be causing this, and what can I do? At the current moment, I'm keeping him warm with my body heat and he's gotten a little food into his system, but not as much as I'd like. Thank you for your time.

[Critter_Queen]

Coming in blind here (didn't read your other thread) but why are you keeping him warm with your body heat? He needs to be kept warmer than human temp. Squirrels are usually around 99 degrees. Do you have a heating pad you could put under him? If he's not warm enough and you're feeding him, that could cause the symptoms you describe.

How are his poops? What are you feeding him? What does he weigh? How long have you had him? Sorry if this is repeat info...but I'm at home and my snail-slow dial-up connection limits me to viewing what I NEED to view...cuz eventually it'll lock up (already starting to) and then I can't post anymore.

I'm going to do some chores and come back in about an hour or so and check in with you.

Hang in there.

[island rehabber]

Adalisk, put him up to your ear and listen for any regular clicking -- that coincides wth his breathing, not the little clicks squirrels make once in awhile -- nomatter how faint. Sometimes baby squirrels may aspirate and start to develop pneumonia without us being aware of it, and you want to catch that ASAP. If he's not clicking, how have his peeing & pooping been? If he's not eliminating regularly that could cause lethargy as well. Keep him as warm as possible. CQ is right -- he needs to be on a heat source at all times until his eyes are fully opened for a few days.

[Adalisk]

Hey, thank's for the quick replies.
There is no clicking (Already checked) He wasn't cold when I took him out, I'm feeding him Puppy milk replacer Esbilac Powder, his Stool is solid and a light green/yellow color, and trust me, he does it often enough, lol, my hand can vouch for that. Also, I stimulate them after every feeding, and they're both In their cage, which is atop a heating pad, they're also under fleece and fake fur scraps. Not sure how much he weighs, And lastly, I've had them for exactly one week, now. They havn't eaten in about six hours, because I over slept - So I'm a little un-easy with him not eating. His sister is still being a little pig, so she seems to be ok, she's a bit more hyper than usuall, but as I recall, that's a good thing, right?
I believe that answered all of the questions - Thank you both for your quick responses. Hope to hear back from ya soon

[island rehabber]

It sounds as if everything you're doing is good and the baby's vital signs sound fine so don't worry too much at this point. If you want, you can try warming up the formula a bit more to entice him to eat, slipping the syringe tip under his muzzle and drip just a teeny bit in his mouth.....there's always pleading and bribing, etc etc....:D I had to do a few of these techniques with two of mine for awhile, now they eat like little piggies again.

[Adalisk]

It sounds as if everything you're doing is good and the baby's vital signs sound fine so don't worry too much at this point. If you want, you can try warming up the formula a bit more to entice him to eat, slipping the syringe tip under his muzzle and drip just a teeny bit in his mouth.....there's always pleading and bribing, etc etc....:D I had to do a few of these techniques with two of mine for awhile, now they eat like little piggies again.

*Chuckles* Alright, I thank you, my friend. I was worried, because he's usually very strong and active, but he's not wanting to be very active, He just ate a little bit, so I'm not AS worried, could his sluggishness be related to his eyes opening, at all?

[island rehabber]

*Chuckles* Alright, I thank you, my friend. I was worried, because he's usually very strong and active, but he's not wanting to be very active, He just ate a little bit, so I'm not AS worried, could his sluggishness be related to his eyes opening, at all?

Nah, shouldn't affect him at all because for the first few days after their eyes open they don't even really 'see' anyway. They just sense light & movement which, if anything, should make them more alert. But sometimes you do have to plead with these little guys to eat, and if you don't you get scrawny squirrel babies like the two I took in last week. :shakehead

[thundersquirrel]

if he really doesn't eat for another day or so, we can talk about nutrical. it's a kind of concentrated goo used for emaciated dogs- a tiny little bit at the end of a syringe sometimes tempts them to eat.

[Adalisk]

Alright, thanks guys - And I figured his eyes opening wouldn't have anything to do with it, was just hoping. I turned the heating pad up a notch, and he seems to be getting more active - Though, he's not thrilled about the taste of his new Meal, it would seem. I've seen a few of you use whipped cream, is this a safe method to coax them into eating, If so, what brand would you suggest?

Also, If I stop their feeding at 11:00PM, what time should I resume feeding them, in the morning?

[Gabe]

Even if there is no clicking to be heard, loss of appetite is very often the first sign of pneumonia. Clicking may not occur for 2-3 more days. IR is right on thinking of that. I would consider finding a vet asap as you don't want to do it on an emergency basis.

[Adalisk]

Well, he's started eating again, and he's being active once more. Think I should still bring him to the vet? I'm not sure what that was, but I didn't much care for it, will be sure to keep an eye on him still, though. - Thank's for the input, Gabe

[Gabe]

It's not so much that you should bring him to a vet, it's just that you should be prepared to have one that is willing to see him. Not all vets treat wildlife, many don't unless you are a rehabber. I just wanted to make sure you had a plan if things became worse.

[Adalisk]

Aye, my friend. I actually worked at a vet's office around here, so I know First hand that A Vet around here treats little Animals. - I'm actually studying to become a Veterinarian, and I'm going to be Sure to Study small Animals as well as the Norm, so this is a very good experience for me. I am still going to bring him in, to get him checked out, but he's Just eaten 2cc's and he's moving around a bit more, now. - I do thank you for your concern though, I've read a few of your posts, you seem like a good guy :D And I Love the name! lol
Geez, Not sure what I would have done, without this Forum. Thank you all, not just for helping me, but I'm sure quite a few of you have saved more than a squirrel or two, with the input on this site. You guy's are amazing (That sounded a lot cheesier than I had Intended...lol) As always, thanks for the Advise, take it easy and be well.

[Mountain Mama]

Hard not to become attached to the little ratsies, isn't it? Hang in there.

[Adalisk]

Hard not to become attached to the little ratsies, isn't it? Hang in there.
Aye, that it is. Darn little things, I was trying to look at it from a professional point of view, as you must do as a vet :o But that didn't work so well. lol - Thank you for the kind words, take it easy and be well.

[Mountain Mama]

I have been a medical professional forever, and it is *much* easier for me to take care of humans than it is animals. I've seen it all, I suppose, ICU, ER...and I can maintain my composure. But you let me see an animal on the road, and I just go all to pieces. Go figure.

[Adalisk]

Aww, that's really sweet, It's good to know there are still people like that out there. I've been wondering if I can handle it, Myself, lately. I think it will be hard, but I've studied practically my whole life to become a vet, lol no turning back now. =P