Pinkies found, few days old?

[Wallysdad]

Hi guys. We got a call from a friend that blackbirds were causing chaos in a tree and knocked down a squirrel nest. Three of the babies were saved. They look like a few days old. When they're this small does the standard pedialyte then fox valley? Do they suck at this stage?

[HRT4SQRLS]

They sure do suck at this age. :grin2

I'm sure you have warmed them. Yes to the Pedialyte. No to the FoxValley. I don't think any rehabbers use FoxValley for pinkies. It was once the standard, but NO longer. Pinkies can not digest it. I believe they use Esbilac. They might even use the goat milk recipe for a few days. I'll let the pinkie rehabbers sound in on formula but I'm sure it's NOT FoxValley.

[Mel1959]

Any way to try and reunite with mom?

[Wallysdad]

We have puppy Esbilac. Is this what we start after pedialyte? And how long for the pedialyte? We got the clear one. Also, can these babies take the miracle nipple? I know they have a lot of room in their mouths and throat.

[Wallysdad]

Any way to try and reunite with mom?

They tried for four hours and mom never showed, started getting dark outside so we went with our gut. Something could have happened to her or she ran from the birds. At first they were vocal and started chirping.

[Mel1959]

Yes, hydrate with pedialyte then Esbilac. You can use the miracle nipple. It might take a little while for them to get the hang of it.

You might try taking them back over to the sight that you found them in the morning. Momma may have been too frightened to get them today, especially when it started getting dark. First thing in the morning she may be looking for them.

[Wallysdad]

We plan on trying in the morning.

[Wallysdad]

Yes, hydrate with pedialyte then Esbilac. You can use the miracle nipple. It might take a little while for them to get the hang of it.

You might try taking them back over to the sight that you found them in the morning. Momma may have been too frightened to get them today, especially when it started getting dark. First thing in the morning she may be looking for them.

Can you advise on how much to feed these little ones? We're seeing .5ml but now looking at .5ml is a ton for them.

[Wallysdad]

Just weighed them before their second feeding and they are all 13 grams. Seem to be going to the bathroom pretty well. No feeder bands on their bellys yet. The male just took .5ml.

[Wallysdad]

Just weighed them before their second feeding and they are all 13 grams. Seem to be going to the bathroom pretty well. No feeder bands on their bellys yet. The male just took .5ml.

First female took the same. The second female took .4ml after some coaxing but has blood in her stool and possibly her urine. Her temperature was noticeably lower too. Trying to maintain her temp for now. Trauma from the fall?

[Nancy in New York]

Can you advise on how much to feed these little ones? We're seeing .5ml but now looking at .5ml is a ton for them.

Here you go.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-hR5J5cq/1/6d577129/XL/i-hR5J5cq-XL.jpg

[Wallysdad]

Thank you all for the responses. They are eating very well, latching onto the nipple easier and getting around the .5ml area. Slowly going to add as their weight increases and mix in the Esbilac with the pedialyte. We plan on staying with the Esbilac until fur grows in and eyes start opening. Then Fox Valley, Wally did well with FV at that age. Poop and pee pee are moving easily. The little one that had some blood in her stool passed a hard large one early this morning and that has ceased thankfully. We went back to the area where they were found to see if mom would come back. After waiting for three hours she did not return to the tree. We did see two different squirrels but neither were interested. Slow slow going. Amazing animals they are, the sounds they make already. ❤️

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you all for the responses. They are eating very well, latching onto the nipple easier and getting around the .5ml area. Slowly going to add as their weight increases and mix in the Esbilac with the pedialyte. We plan on staying with the Esbilac until fur grows in and eyes start opening. Then Fox Valley, Wally did well with FV at that age. Poop and pee pee are moving easily. The little one that had some blood in her stool passed a hard large one early this morning and that has ceased thankfully. We went back to the area where they were found to see if mom would come back. After waiting for three hours she did not return to the tree. We did see two different squirrels but neither were interested. Slow slow going. Amazing animals they are, the sounds they make already. ❤️

Just looking for some clarification so I don't misunderstand.
Are you mixing/feeding Pedialyte and Esbilac mixed together?
Are these little ones on the straight esbilac yet?
They should be on Pedialyte no more than 24 hours and then
switched to formula.
If these little ones are already pooping and peeing, they probably
were with Mom right up until the time the blackbirds got the nest, so
start the Esbilac now.
They look nice and plump in the picture.
Make sure that you make the formula up ahead of time, and let
it rest in the refrig for a couple of hours, stirring occassionally to
make sure it all dissolves.
I'm sure you know this but at this age, they should be eating every 2-3 hours
around the clock.
When you start on the Fox Valley make sure to get the FV 20/50. We no longer
recommend the FV 32/40.
Good luck with your little ones. I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[Wallysdad]

Just looking for some clarification so I don't misunderstand.
Are you mixing/feeding Pedialyte and Esbilac mixed together?
Are these little ones on the straight esbilac yet?
They should be on Pedialyte no more than 24 hours and then
switched to formula.
If these little ones are already pooping and peeing, they probably
were with Mom right up until the time the blackbirds got the nest, so
start the Esbilac now.
They look nice and plump in the picture.
Make sure that you make the formula up ahead of time, and let
it rest in the refrig for a couple of hours, stirring occassionally to
make sure it all dissolves.
I'm sure you know this but at this age, they should be eating every 2-3 hours
around the clock.
When you start on the Fox Valley make sure to get the FV 20/50. We no longer
recommend the FV 32/40.
Good luck with your little ones. I'm glad you're enjoying them.

Yes as of right now their last feed was more of a 70/30 of formula to ped. Plan on 100 formula on next feed. Currently looking for decent 1ml syringes in retail stores. No one carries the Miracle syringes in retail stores that I know of. They suck pretty well but our 1ml plungers get stuck. I have tried to lubricate the rubber plunger with coconut oil to free it up but it's not working like it should. Are there any other tricks to try?

[Mel1959]

Don’t mix formula with pedialyte!! They are two separate things...one is hydration the other is food.

If you go to a local drugstore and tell them you are feeding an orphaned kitten they will usually give you a 1cc syringe. You really need to do this ASAP so your little guys don’t aspirate on a stuck syringe. Then place an order with Henrys Healthy Pets and order some 1cc and 3 cc syringes along with both sizes of miracle nipples. You’re gonna be feeding them for quite some time so you might as well make it easiest on you and safest for them. Since you’re placing an order with Henry’s and she charges one flat fee for shipping ($5.99), order some picky healthy blocks and put them in the freezer so you have them on hand when your little guys’s eyes open and they’re ready for block.

[Wallysdad]

Don’t mix formula with pedialyte!! They are two separate things...one is hydration the other is food.

If you go to a local drugstore and tell them you are feeding an orphaned kitten they will usually give you a 1cc syringe. You really need to do this ASAP so your little guys don’t aspirate on a stuck syringe. Then place an order with Henrys Healthy Pets and order some 1cc and 3 cc syringes along with both sizes of miracle nipples. You’re gonna be feeding them for quite some time so you might as well make it easiest on you and safest for them. Since you’re placing an order with Henry’s and she charges one flat fee for shipping ($5.99), order some picky healthy blocks and put them in the freezer so you have them on hand when your little guys’s eyes open and they’re ready for block.

Cvs was the only pharmacy in the area with some 1ccs, got a few from them. Those from the pharmacy only have a real small seal around the plunger so it looks like it will work for them. Henry's order is otw, 1ccs and minis, with Picky blocks ready in the freezer. That coconut oil deal I found for the rubber plungers seems to make it a little more difficult to push with consistency, even when warmed up. 😠

[HRT4SQRLS]

The O-ring syringes that Henry's sells are definitely needed for pinkies. The O-ring offers very little resistance so it doesn't get stuck. The syringes with the fat black rubber on the end of the plunger work well a couple times but then they start getting stuck. When they get stuck it is easy to blast formula while trying to feed. You won't have that problem with the O-ring type.

You will be feeding these pinkies for quite a while so you might as well make it easy on yourself and for the safety of the babies, buy the O-ring syringes. :thumbsup

Edit... I see you already ordered them. Perfect! :)

[Mel1959]

I NEVER had good luck lubricating the rubber on syringes. It may work great once and then the next time stick so bad that any amount of pressure causes it to let loose and choke them with the milk. :eek:eek

[Wallysdad]

Thank you kind people for the responses and help. We are listening to everyone's opinions and are always learning something we didn't know about our little friends. We were 90% prepared for the next time to feed babies, we had no idea it would be pinkies. We're giving it our best and they seem to be as well. Thank you again.

[Wallysdad]

The babies are gaining every day! Taking somewhere between 5.5% and 6% of their weight and doing well. Our only problem is trying to tell the two females apart. Names are next. Left picture was the 12th of May and the right one was today.

[Mel1959]

Perfect! Great job!

When I had several babies I colored the white fur on the inside of a rear leg with a different colored sharpie. It was just a dot, and then a corresponding colored dot on the top of the column for my record keeping.

[Wallysdad]

Has anyone had their pinkies peel? We assume it is normal and all three are in different places. And nothing that is an obvious cause for alarm but we did notice. It's not getting worse anywhere like spreading. They live on a heating pad in a blanket pouch so they just could be dry from that?

[Nancy in New York]

Has anyone had their pinkies peel? We assume it is normal and all three are in different places. And nothing that is an obvious cause for alarm but we did notice. It's not getting worse anywhere like spreading. They live on a heating pad in a blanket pouch so they just could be dry from that?

Do you have the heating pad under their container set on low?
What type of container do you have them in?
What I do when this happens is I take a small baby food jar,
clean it out well, and then put a (small piece) of damp sponge in it. Put that on
the same side as the heating pad, and that will give the container
a little moisture. Some poke holes in the top of the jar. If you do
this, make sure that the sharp points are facing inside the jar and
not outside. Others will leave the top off completely. Probably
safer to poke a lot of holes on the top.
Make sure to feel the sponge daily so it's stays damp.

[Wallysdad]

Do you have the heating pad under their container set on low?
What type of container do you have them in?
What I do when this happens is I take a small baby food jar,
clean it out well, and then put a (small piece) of damp sponge in it. Put that on
the same side as the heating pad, and that will give the container
a little moisture. Some poke holes in the top of the jar. If you do
this, make sure that the sharp points are facing inside the jar and
not outside. Others will leave the top off completely. Probably
safer to poke a lot of holes on the top.
Make sure to feel the sponge daily so it's stays damp.

Yes always on low with the heat, half on half of in case they get hot and want to crawl to the cooler side. It is a zip up container that has mesh windows for circulation. Fleece blankets. I will try the damp sponge. Thank you!

[Wallysdad]

Quick update on the babies. They are doing very well. Taking around 4ml every 3-4 hours during the day and one feeding at night. Fur and ears are developing, they can now hear us. Waiting patiently for those little eyes to open,as they do we are working in FV 20/50. The females are Willow and Juniper, the male we named Teak.

[Wallysdad]

❤️😍

[Mel1959]

:great:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

Precious babies. :Love_Icon I love the names. :grin2

[Wallysdad]

Little Teak has not been taking his usual 7ml for the last three feeds. More like 4ish ml. Lazy acting and wanting to sleep. He should open his eyes any day now. Should w3 start FV 20/50 early? Bathroom is normal. Please someone tell me this is normal behavior.

[Wallysdad]

Also, if we are in need of antibiotics for pneumonia in case he starts clicking what do we need to ask for?

[Nancy in New York]

Also, if we are in need of antibiotics for pneumonia in case he starts clicking what do we need to ask for?

You would need Baytril (animal antibiotic) of Cipro (Human)
Clavamox or Augmentin.
Call around to family and friends. You will need just one pill
and we can break it down for you.
What formula are you feeding now.
You can definitely switch to FV 20/50 if you want,
just do a slow transition so as not to cause diarrhea.

[Wallysdad]

You would need Baytril (animal antibiotic) of Cipro (Human)
Clavamox or Augmentin.
Call around to family and friends. You will need just one pill
and we can break it down for you.
What formula are you feeding now.
You can definitely switch to FV 20/50 if you want,
just do a slow transition so as not to cause diarrhea.


Esbilac puppy right now. 25/75 ratio to start?

[Wallysdad]

Esbilac puppy right now. 25/75 ratio to start?

He finally started taking his normal amount this afternoon! We are going to start the two formulas together this weekend.