baby not gaining weight

[nscott@farmersagent.com]

309338309338309338I believe our rescue is about 4 weeks old and 50 grams. I have had her 5days but only started weighing her Thursday night and still 50 g today. I did start the homemade GM formula Thursday as well. She seems to be doing really well otherwise. Should I be concerned about her weight or do anything differently? I am feeding her 2.5 cc every 3-4 hours and eliminated her night feedings.I am waiting for the fox valley 20/50 formula to arrive.

[Mel1959]

Eyes are still closed? Can you post a picture of her face? At this age she should be gaining a little almost daily.

Someone should be along soon that should have more insight about why she’s not gaining.

[Spanky]

Can you post a picture of the syringe you are using to feed her?

What were you feeding prior to the switch to the GM formula?

[Nancy in New York]

Is that a baby ground squirrel?

[nscott@farmersagent.com]

she lost weight from last night. So worried. Show 45 g this am. I am using the miracle nipple with a 1cc. Before I switched to the GM formula I was using a liquid Ultra Puppy milk (not Esbilac) so that as why i discontinued when i read here. But honestly, she was gaining weight then and normal poop and pee. Scared now I am making worse by having changed it. I was also feeding her 5 cc's then. now only 2.5 She is still active when I first take her out of cage and very anxious to eat. Trying to post a picture of the syringe and her face. Not a ground squirrel.. I believe a grey squirrel. I live in Southern California. 309354309355309356

[nscott@farmersagent.com]

I just checked the mail and I received my Fox Valley 20/50 formula. Should i start transitioning her at the next feeding?

[nscott@farmersagent.com]

oh, and I just found the formula I was using before, if it helps. Sorry for so many individual posts. Just want to make sure I provide all the info possible so I can help her!309357

[Mel1959]

Absolutely! Switch over to the Fox Valley. Mix the FV and the current formula individually. Then fill your syringe with 25% FV and 75% old formula. Do this for a couple of feedings. Then do a 50/50 combination for a couple of feedings, then 75% FV and 25% old formula for a couple then at the next feeding you will be at 100%.

If weight gain continues to be a problem, Fox Valley makes a product called Ultraboost. It is used to boost the fat content of the formula to help in weight gain. I’ve never had a problem with it causing diarrhea the way whipping cream can.

[redwuff]

I would switch slowly to FV 20/50. Start her off at 5% of body weight and get her stable before making any changes. Keep us informed on how she is doing.

The consensus in my household is you have a ground squirrel.

[nscott@farmersagent.com]

thank you. Is there any thing I should be doing differently for a ground squirrel?

[redwuff]

Caging will be different but right now formula will be the same. Weaning onto rodent block is also the same.

[nscott@farmersagent.com]

sorry. one more note. Just read another post regarding ground squirrels that mother can leave baby exposed if senses a genetic defect. We rescued this baby from a crow that was pecking it. (no apparent injuries and have had her a week) I did find another squirrel same area and same size baby that looks like a crow did get. :( So, I'm thinking this crow found the nest because the baby I rescued did not appear to be dehydrated.

[redwuff]

Please never apologize for any information you have. It helps that much more!

[redwuff]

sorry. one more note. Just read another post regarding ground squirrels that mother can leave baby exposed if senses a genetic defect. We rescued this baby from a crow that was pecking it. (no apparent injuries and have had her a week) I did find another squirrel same area and same size baby that looks like a crow did get. :( So, I'm thinking this crow found the nest because the baby I rescued did not appear to be dehydrated.

If this is a ground squirrel, crow could not have gotten to the nest. Wonder if something happened to mom and babies were coming out of burrow for help.

[stepnstone]

thank you. Is there any thing I should be doing differently for a ground squirrel?

TSB has a section on ground squirrels with members that have or had ground squirrels sharing info and discussion that could be of interest to you.
It can be found/ linked to here: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?97-Ground-Squirrels

This member in particular had some really good informative information to share: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?18585-Methods-of-Caring-for-Ground-Squirrels