Bloating

[Faithb]

I have had my squirrels for a week I took to vet 2 days ago because I thought I heard clicking & was worried about possible aspiration(learned on this site) 200$ later the dr said only one baby had fluid in the lungs and there was nothing she could give me bc the babies are too young. She said otherwise they were in great health & I definitely saved their life, I’ve been feeding goats milk mixed with water, I just fed & my largest boy (25g as of yesterday) has a bloated tummy and barely ate 25cc when he usually eats 1.25 ml. My squirrels were pinkies when I got them, one still had the umbilical chord my vet said they were probably born the day they were found (the 15 or 16? I did not find them) though I thought they were a couple days as they are grey now (I expect coats by next Thursday eeeek) what should I do or try for the bloated one? They all 3 have been using the restroom well when stimulating and feed well, & my other 2 don’t have bloated tummies:/ pls help! This is my first litter so everything makes me a bit nervous or worried lol thanks all I think I attached a picture? This is from yesterday afternoon squilliam is the one who is now bloated. Chippey is the smallest & the one with fluid but he eats well.

[Faithb]

310970
I have had my squirrels for a week I took to vet 2 days ago because I thought I heard clicking & was worried about possible aspiration(learned on this site) 200$ later the dr said only one baby had fluid in the lungs and there was nothing she could give me bc the babies are too young. She said otherwise they were in great health & I definitely saved their life, I’ve been feeding goats milk mixed with water, I just fed & my largest boy (25g as of yesterday) has a bloated tummy and barely ate 25cc when he usually eats 1.25 ml. My squirrels were pinkies when I got them, one still had the umbilical chord my vet said they were probably born the day they were found (the 15 or 16? I did not find them) though I thought they were a couple days as they are grey now (I expect coats by next Thursday eeeek) what should I do or try for the bloated one? They all 3 have been using the restroom well when stimulating and feed well, & my other 2 don’t have bloated tummies:/ pls help! This is my first litter so everything makes me a bit nervous or worried lol thanks all I think I attached a picture? This is from yesterday afternoon squilliam is the one who is now bloated. Chippey is the smallest & the one with fluid but he eats well.

For those curious I think I have attached the pic of them the day I got them.

[Nancy in New York]

Are you feeding the formula shown below?
Edit: I see that you are feeding goat's milk and water, is that correct?
Here is the GM recipe we use. This is only a temporary formula, as it
doesn't have the nutritional value a squirrel needs.


TEMPORARY GOAT'S MILK FORMULA:


3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels do better with the ESBILAC PUPPY FORMULA, with probiotics, instead of Fox Valley. If the Goat's Milk formula is used, omit the heavy whipping cream for the first two weeks of life.


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CDTTKJg/0/1dcc5ec1/O/i-CDTTKJg.jpg

[redwuff]

Faith, you are doing great but there are some things we can help you with. Welcome to TSB. It is not easy starting with such tiny pinkies. Kudos to you my dear:grouphug

So to start with, the vet was very very wrong. Babies this young can and must be treated for aspiration pneumonia. Baytril/Cipro or Clavamox/augmentin (Animal/human version) are the best drugs to use. Are you still hearing clicking from Chippy? Most likely he does not have AP cos he would be dead by now. AP kills quickly. Another sign that they have AP is way decrease in appetite. You said he is eating well. I would advise you to get one of those drugs to have on hand. You just need a small amount.

If you are feeding just goat milk watered down, you are not providing enough nutrients or calories. I love feeding gm to pinkies but I use a formula that adds 1 part full fat yogurt and 1 part heavy whipping creme to 3 parts goats milk. I like using gm found in the health food store.

Let’s deal with your bloated boy. Get infant gas x and give him a drop of that. Do not feed until you clear the bloat.

[redwuff]

I have been keeping pinkies on the GMF until they reach four weeks old. At that time, I start to slowly transition them with the formula they will be on until they are weaned. That formula is Fox Valley 20/50 which can be bought from Henry’s Healthy Pet on the internet.

Some people like Esbilac formula to feed but I do not, especially to pinkies. I see too many problems with it. But that is my experience and my opinion.

[stepnstone]

Posted in another member's forum 8-22
Re: Dosing antibiotics?
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Faithb https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1298300#post1298300) Hi! I am rehabbing my first litter I have 3 babies ( my cousin is a licensed rehabber and has given me lots of advice) I am very well educated on animals and eventually wish to become a licensed rehabber.. my squirrels ranged between 17-21 g when I got them (covered in ant bites almost run over by lawn mower and given to me) and still had umbilical cord attached and were fresh pinkies. I assumed they were a couple days old I got them the 17th and took them to the vet last night (21) as I thought I heard clicking and they were possibly aspirated, and saw here I needed to seek baytril or vet advice. I spent like 10 minutes with the vet and I paid 200$ for the her to tell me they were in almost perfect health (one did have fluid in lungs) but she said there was nothing she could give me or do as they are to young for antibiotics and that he should be okay?


This is just wrong on so many points and we have a board full of rehabilatators that have and can prove it wrong. I can't comprehend how fluid in lungs (if that were even true) could magically disappear and "he should be okay" let alone hearing any vet actually said that but obviously it was not AP. With AP there is no getting around antibiotics.
AP kills without them the same as untreated pneumonia will kill any species.https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Faithb https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1298300#post1298300)
(she said they were probably born the day they were found which was a 1 or 2 days before I got them.) basically
I just want people to know if your squirrels are as young as mine it might not be cost effective to take them to the vet as they won’t help you, at least mine did not :/ anyway! My squirrels are doing great and I’ve officially had them for a week which I had told myself if I could get them this far I’d probably be in the clear- a long road ahead but hopefully I can get all 3 back to the wild. Sorry for the long post.



All vets are not educated equal, squirrels are wildlife. and at least require a veterinarian educated in wildlife. Domestic vets usually don't and won't even see wildlife.
Some Exotic vets may see wildlife and treat as they would exotics, many vets won't for three basic reasons; They are not educated to treat wildlife. They are not licensed to treat wildlife. They are not Wildlife veterinarians.

[Faithb]

Posted in another member's forum 8-22
Re: Dosing antibiotics?
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Faithb https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1298300#post1298300) Hi! I am rehabbing my first litter I have 3 babies ( my cousin is a licensed rehabber and has given me lots of advice) I am very well educated on animals and eventually wish to become a licensed rehabber.. my squirrels ranged between 17-21 g when I got them (covered in ant bites almost run over by lawn mower and given to me) and still had umbilical cord attached and were fresh pinkies. I assumed they were a couple days old I got them the 17th and took them to the vet last night (21) as I thought I heard clicking and they were possibly aspirated, and saw here I needed to seek baytril or vet advice. I spent like 10 minutes with the vet and I paid 200$ for the her to tell me they were in almost perfect health (one did have fluid in lungs) but she said there was nothing she could give me or do as they are to young for antibiotics and that he should be okay?

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Faithb https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1298300#post1298300)
(she said they were probably born the day they were found which was a 1 or 2 days before I got them.) basically
I just want people to know if your squirrels are as young as mine it might not be cost effective to take them to the vet as they won’t help you, at least mine did not :/ anyway! My squirrels are doing great and I’ve officially had them for a week which I had told myself if I could get them this far I’d probably be in the clear- a long road ahead but hopefully I can get all 3 back to the wild. Sorry for the long post.




Well I did take my babies to a wildlife vet& I was told the vet I saw specializes in squirrels. Now I’m really upset that I exhausted my funds just to have someone as uneducated as me check them out.:/ thanks all for the suggestions I will get infant gasx right now.

[Javarat]

On the bloating... feel all of their tummies. Are they all soft like a water balloon, or hard like a rubber ball? Are there any marks like a red rash, or blue or red marks?
Also (I did not see this mentioned) how often are you feeding them?

Big grats on getting a set of pinkies this far. It appears you have been researching the heck out of how to do it correctly :)

A big help with diagnosing bloating would be a picture from above, and a picture from the side while they are on their back, to see the coloring and how the stomach is distended.

So far.. this most likely sounds like gas bloat, which simethicone (baby Gas X) should help with.

Also double check with the others here on the best blend of goats milk formula. I don't think it needs to be diluted or you will lose too many calories, and risk diarrhea.

[Faithb]

when I first got them I fed every 2 hours, as of Wednesday I have started every 2-3 hours (usually like 2 1/2 hours) I fed them .75 ml at first after I got them hydrated and have now started 1ml-1.50 as they have been gaining Wright & getting hungrier, I have switched to undiluted goats milk per the information I have been give on this thread (: I had only diluted because I read a couple places it was best. I was originally feeding puppy milk but my cousin who is licensed said he prefers and would suggest goats milk instead which is why I switched to that. I will look into getting the fox valley that’s suggested here when they are a couple weeks older as suggested by redruff and I tried to get infant gasx but my card was declined (shut off due to fraudulent activity 🙄) and I used all my cash last night at the vet, so my boyfriend is getting some when he gets off soon. I appreciate all the help and advice more than I can say! I’m sure I will be posting again soon with other questions or concerns and I will keep you guys updated on my babes.

[Faithb]

Faith, you are doing great but there are some things we can help you with. Welcome to TSB. It is not easy starting with such tiny pinkies. Kudos to you my dear:grouphug

So to start with, the vet was very very wrong. Babies this young can and must be treated for aspiration pneumonia. Baytril/Cipro or Clavamox/augmentin (Animal/human version) are the best drugs to use. Are you still hearing clicking from Chippy? Most likely he does not have AP cos he would be dead by now. AP kills quickly. Another sign that they have AP is way decrease in appetite. You said he is eating well. I would advise you to get one of those drugs to have on hand. You just need a small amount.

If you are feeding just goat milk watered down, you are not providing enough nutrients or calories. I love feeding gm to pinkies but I use a formula that adds 1 part full fat yogurt and 1 part heavy whipping creme to 3 parts goats milk. I like using gm found in the health food store.

Let’s deal with your bloated boy. Get infant gas x and give him a drop of that. Do not feed until you clear the bloat.

I am going to try and attach a picture of squilliam his bloating has gone down since this morning I was unable to get gasx this morning my card was shut off because of fraudulent activity & I spent all my cash at the vet. My boyfriend is getting off in an hour and going to pick some up to have on hand. My chipey hasn’t had a decrease in appetite really, he does eat less than my other 2 but he’s
A lot smaller, he’s still pretty active & I haven’t noticed any change in him. I did go to a wildlife vets office and was told the vet I saw specialized in squirrels which based on what has been said in these threads. I have started to doubt. I’m attaching a pic of squilliam I don’t really think he’s bloated anymore he definitely was not posing for any pictures though lol I wish I would have taken one this morning when I first noticed the bloating I am a bit sleep deprived so my brain is firing a bit slower lol

[redwuff]

Well I did take my babies to a wildlife vet& I was told the vet I saw specializes in squirrels. Now I’m really upset that I exhausted my funds just to have someone as uneducated as me check them out.:/ thanks all for the suggestions I will get infant gasx right now.

Faith we are always flumaxed by the treatment of some vets. And there are some spectacular vets that I am very grateful to know. We, on this board, see many things over and over, so we are comfortable with treatments we offer. But we are not vets and it is always good to have a safe vet on your side.
Aspiration pneumonia is very deadly, but is relatively easy to treat with the right antibiotic if caught in time.

Are you weighing your baby everyday? If so feed 5% of the GMF (1 part heavy whipping creme, 1 part full fat yogurt, 3 parts goats milk) and you can space your feedings out. I have a 2 week pinky that came at 1-2 days old (13 g) He gets fed every 3.5 hours. I still do a night feeding with him. He is 32 g but will stop the night feeding when he gets 35 g.

[Faithb]

Faith we are always flumaxed by the treatment of some vets. And there are some spectacular vets that I am very grateful to know. We, on this board, see many things over and over, so we are comfortable with treatments we offer. But we are not vets and it is always good to have a safe vet on your side.
Aspiration pneumonia is very deadly, but is relatively easy to treat with the right antibiotic if caught in time.

Are you weighing your baby everyday? If so feed 5% of the GMF (1 part heavy whipping creme, 1 part full fat yogurt, 3 parts goats milk) and you can space your feedings out. I have a 2 week pinky that came at 1-2 days old (13 g) He gets fed every 3.5 hours. I still do a night feeding with him. He is 32 g but will stop the night feeding when he gets 35 g.

Yes! I have been weighing every day I actually weighed like 30 minutes ago chipy (the one who the vet said had fluid in his lungs) weighed 21g yesterday and today he weighed 24g Penelope weighed 22g and is the same today but will weigh again before bed. Squilliam was 25g and is now 26g. When I first got them c was 19g s was 21g and p was 17g

[redwuff]

Definitely get the heavy whipping creme into your formula. They need more calories.

[Faithb]

Definitely get the heavy whipping creme into your formula. They need more calories.

Okay I will definitely try that, are they under weight? They are less than 2 weeks.. the vet said they were a healthy weight.

[Javarat]

Yes! I have been weighing every day I actually weighed like 30 minutes ago chipy (the one who the vet said had fluid in his lungs) weighed 21g yesterday and today he weighed 24g Penelope weighed 22g and is the same today but will weigh again before bed. Squilliam was 25g and is now 26g. When I first got them c was 19g s was 21g and p was 17g
Okay I will definitely try that, are they under weight?My 15 day old (found at 1 day old) is currently 33 grams. He was 16 grams on day 1, and hit 26 grams on day 10. So yours are doing okay.
I have him, and my three week olds on a schedule of: 2am - 6am - 9am - noon - 4pm - 7pm - 10pm - 2am (7 feedings, with 2 four hour feedings at night, and a four hour feeding at noon... so I can get some sleep)
I cap them off at 5% body weight (I weigh them every morning before the 9am feeding) so they do not get too full, and the 4 hours periods help them fully digest and empty more.
I would not push them into anything longer than 4 hours until their eyes open.

[Faithb]

My 15 day old (found at 1 day old) is currently 33 grams. He was 16 grams on day 1, and hit 26 grams on day 10. So yours are doing okay.
I have him, and my three week olds on a schedule of: 2am - 6am - 9am - noon - 4pm - 7pm - 10pm - 2am (7 feedings, with 2 four hour feedings at night, and a four hour feeding at noon... so I can get some sleep)
I cap them off at 5% body weight (I weigh them every morning before the 9am feeding) so they do not get too full, and the 4 hours periods help them fully digest and empty more.
I would not push them into anything longer than 4 hours until their eyes open.

Thanks very much! I have been really concerned about under feeding but now I’m concerned I may be over feeding ugh! I’m getting the hang of it though and am definitely going to try an implement this schedule

[Faithb]

I posted yesterday about bloating. I gave infant gasx but nothing changed. My little ones stomachs are firm still feel like a water balloon I’m attaching pictures. They eat well & use the restroom well and are not lethargic or anything I feed every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and usually do .75-1ml they weigh 22g-26g as of last night310998310997310996 these are the best photos I took they’re a bit camera shy my babies are a little over a week old. A vet said they were probably born the day they were found which was the 15 or 16th (I did not find them) I have had them since the 17th.

[Faithb]

Maybe these are better

[redwuff]

Hi Faith,

It helps us a lot if you keep your posts in one thread. Otherwise we have to go and search to see what the big picture is.

So yesterday we gave you some diet suggestions about adding creme and yogurt to the formula. Can you tell us if you implemented any?

Their tummies are bloated. Stay at 5% and stretch feedings out to 3.5 -4 hours. Feed 6 times a day. What type of goats milk do you use?

Give gas x again.

[Faithb]

Okay sorry. Yes I am doing canned goats milk evaporated and whipping cream I will do gas x again now.

[Javarat]

Admin - duplicate thread. Please merge pictures into thread 'Bloating' under Emergency forum.

[redwuff]

For your next feeding just give hydration no formula. If they are still pooping then they are not blocked. Stretch out your feedings like what was said.

[Faithb]

Okay I will do that. I will update tomorrow on how they are doing. Thanks.

[Javarat]

In the second thread you started this afternoon... you said you are (still?) feeding every 2 1/2 to 3 hours?
2 1/2 is too often for this size. They do not have time to digest and will overfill just like this, or get diarrhea.
Even a steady 3 hours is sometimes too fast.

I had yesterday mentioned a schedule like: 2am - 6am - 10am - noon - 4pm - 7pm - 10pm - 2am.. that has two 4 hours periods at night, and a 4 hour period at noon. 7 feedings total per day.
Slow down the feedings with a schedule like this and see if they will empty out better.
If they are pooping well... the simplest fix to this size of a tummy is to do 4 hour feedings until the tummy size comes down. Let them gradually decrease on their own, then step back to 7 feedings per day.

You should see a noticeable decrease in tummy size when you are about to feed them again. If they are digesting well, being stimulated well, and being fed at the right schedule.. the tummy will look full after a feeding and half empty at the next feeding.
Not seeing ANY decrease in tummy size three hours after a feeding is a first indication of bloating. The second, when it becomes dangerous, is not pooping.
As you are feeding them... dont push the tummy until it looks bloated. Check the size after each syringe, and feel it. If you see a good solid milk line and it looks full.. stop.. even if you havent reached 5%. Pushing the tummy too full decreases how easy it is for them to digest, as they do not feel well and have a tummy ache. If they repeatedly do not hit 5% before filling up, they are either bloating.. or you are feeding them too often.

[Faithb]

Okay I will do that. I will update tomorrow on how they are doing. Thanks.


Just adding this pics to this thread since and admin had asked me to do so

[Faithb]

In the second thread you started this afternoon... you said you are (still?) feeding every 2 1/2 to 3 hours?
2 1/2 is too often for this size. They do not have time to digest and will overfill just like this, or get diarrhea.
Even a steady 3 hours is sometimes too fast.

I had yesterday mentioned a schedule like: 2am - 6am - 10am - noon - 4pm - 7pm - 10pm - 2am.. that has two 4 hours periods at night, and a 4 hour period at noon. 7 feedings total per day.
Slow down the feedings with a schedule like this and see if they will empty out better.
If they are pooping well... the simplest fix to this size of a tummy is to do 4 hour feedings until the tummy size comes down. Let them gradually decrease on their own, then step back to 7 feedings per day.

You should see a noticeable decrease in tummy size when you are about to feed them again. If they are digesting well, being stimulated well, and being fed at the right schedule.. the tummy will look full after a feeding and half empty at the next feeding.
Not seeing ANY decrease in tummy size three hours after a feeding is a first indication of bloating. The second, when it becomes dangerous, is not pooping.
As you are feeding them... dont push the tummy until it looks bloated. Check the size after each syringe, and feel it. If you see a good solid milk line and it looks full.. stop.. even if you havent reached 5%. Pushing the tummy too full decreases how easy it is for them to digest, as they do not feel well and have a tummy ache. If they repeatedly do not hit 5% before filling up, they are either bloating.. or you are feeding them too often.
Sorry if I wrote wrong I have pushed to every 3 - 3 1/2 hours after I read your post yesterday. & have done 4 hours as well. When I gave gasx about 40 minutes ago their tummies were decreasing. I will feed at 2:30 as I fed them at 11:00 this morning. And 8 before that. Sorry for the confusion i Am doing my best for the babies and just want them to be healthy

[redwuff]

Hi Faith,

I have never used evaporated goats milk. I buy fresh pasteurized whole goats milk from the local health food store. I looked up the evaporated gm on line and the directions said that equal parts of water needs to be added to make whole goats milk. The process of evaporization has half of the water removed. I wonder how you are preparing your gm for the formula. If you are not diluting it could this be the problem with the gas tummies in your babies?

Like I said, I have no experience with evaporated or powdered gm.

Would you take a picture of the directions on the can you are using?

[Faithb]

Hi Faith,

I have never used evaporated goats milk. I buy fresh pasteurized whole goats milk from the local health food store. I looked up the evaporated gm on line and the directions said that equal parts of water needs to be added to make whole goats milk. The process of evaporization has half of the water removed. I wonder how you are preparing your gm for the formula. If you are not diluting it could this be the problem with the gas tummies in your babies?

Like I said, I have no experience with evaporated or powdered gm.

Would you take a picture of the directions on the can you are using?

I was adding water and did not have a problem with bloating per advice on this site I stopped diluting and now that you have me thinking about it that’s when the bloating started. So I will start dilluting just a tad. I am currently not home I will see if I can find a picture online of the can I’m using and attach it. I had read evaporated goats milk is okay. But I will try to find whole goats milk somewhere I went to 3 different stores looking for it but I will try the fresh market today as I will be in the side of town it’s on and I think they would have it. Thanks very much.

[Nancy in New York]

Admin - duplicate thread. Please merge pictures into thread 'Bloating' under Emergency forum.

Threads are merged.
Faithb it will be better to keep all of your posts in one
area so that people helping you get the full story.
Thanks!

[Faithb]

Thanks sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to merge them.

[redwuff]

Faith, this is totally my bad. Yes, you need to dilute the evaporated milk as per instructions on the can. I would do it exactly how the directions on the can say to do it. I am so sorry.

Give them a day to settle their stomachs and then make the GMF as par instructions.:sleep:sleep

[Faithb]

Faith, this is totally my bad. Yes, you need to dilute the evaporated milk as per instructions on the can. I would do it exactly how the directions on the can say to do it. I am so sorry.

Give them a day to settle their stomachs and then make the GMF as par instructions.:sleep:sleep

No worries! I don’t think I had originally mentioned the fact that it was evaporated milk so I’m at fault at well! I’m feeding again here in a few minutes last feeding I did pedialite to hydrate so I will dilute the goats milk and whipping cream now and hopefully get the whole milk to transition them to soon. I would be very lost without the guidance this site has offered and much more overwhelmed! So thank you all. I’m sure I’ll have many more in the weeks to come

[redwuff]

Don’t dilute the whipping creme, just the gm per can instructions, and then add 1 part heavy whipping creme,1 part full fat yogurt to 3 parts diluted evaporated gm.

So glad we can be here for you:hug

[Faithb]

Don’t dilute the whipping creme, just the gm per can instructions, and then add 1 part heavy whipping creme,1 part full fat yogurt to 3 parts diluted evaporated gm.

So glad we can be here for you:hug

So my babies are still bloated. Still pooping well though, I’m not feeding till 10 as to give there tummies time to go down, should I try to hydrate again then? I gave gasx this morning. Should I try that again? I just don’t know how often is to often.

[Nancy in New York]

Where is Florida are you located?
We have a lot of members from there,
and perhaps if you're comfortable, we can
have a rehabber take a look at your little ones.

[Faithb]

Where is Florida are you located?
We have a lot of members from there,
and perhaps if you're comfortable, we can
have a rehabber take a look at your little ones.

I’m in Altamonte springs, close to Orlando. I wouldn’t be opposed to it I want what’s best for them. I’ve already taken them to the vet once, but couldn’t afford that bill again rn. They were doing great until yesterday:/

[redwuff]

It’s always great to have other eyes on babies.

This is a matter of getting the babies system cleaned out. Tomorrow you should be back to normal. Give gas x. The fact that they are pooping is great. We are dealing with gassy tummies.

[Faithb]

It’s always great to have other eyes on babies.

This is a matter of getting the babies system cleaned out. Tomorrow you should be back to normal. Give gas x. The fact that they are pooping is great. We are dealing with gassy tummies.

They are still bloated I did water this feeding and a warm bath. My 2 boys pooped ( not as much as normal but still enough it’s not concerning & it’s not loose or anything at all) my little girl Penelope did not, and she didn’t last feeding either. None of them peed but they have been. I don’t notice any discoloring in their bellies so idk what it is or how to fix it. I will try another warm bath when i wake up. Should I do just water next feeding? I didn’t have high hopes of them making it this far and I would be crushed if I lose them over something I did or did not do :/ they were thriving 2 days ago.

[Javarat]

Check their bedding thoroughly for any signs of poop. Sometimes they do not poop because they already did it in bed. This may be the case with Penelope.
The lack of pee worries me more. Check their hydration levels with a pinch test on the back of the neck.

How is their appetite? That is the biggest clue to how they feel.

Looking at the most recent pictures you posted.. I see a lot of displacement to the sides, but not a lot to the front (like a large round belly).
I currently have 6 two week olds. The one I got on Day 1 looks just like yours, very wide in the hips, with about the same belly.
The 5 that I got three days ago are more slender, without the wide hips.
So think the wide hips are mostly baby fat from being on a better diet for two weeks.

I am not really seeing a lot of bloat in the pictures. Chubby babies.. but not bloat.
If I was there, I would be feeling their bellies with a finger tip, seeing if there were any hard spots, and massaging them out.
A lot of time a hard spot is a full bladder, which goes away after they pee.

Go with a regular feeding, and see how much they are willing to eat, and how they pee and poop.
Monitor how their belly feels after a feeding and then the change before the next feeding. When a belly still feels taught before the next feeding, like there is no room for more formula... THEN we get really worried. If it feels tight after a feeding, but loose with room available before the next feeding, you don't have a bloated baby... you have a fat baby.

Give them a little (like half a ml) of warm water between feedings.

Check how they feel just as you pull them from the bedding.. they should be warm, but not hot. Overheating can lead to dehydration and reduced urine.

[Faithb]

Check their bedding thoroughly for any signs of poop. Sometimes they do not poop because they already did it in bed. This may be the case with Penelope.
The lack of pee worries me more. Check their hydration levels with a pinch test on the back of the neck.

How is their appetite? That is the biggest clue to how they feel.

Looking at the most recent pictures you posted.. I see a lot of displacement to the sides, but not a lot to the front (like a large round belly).
I currently have 6 two week olds. The one I got on Day 1 looks just like yours, very wide in the hips, with about the same belly.
The 5 that I got three days ago are more slender, without the wide hips.
So think the wide hips are mostly baby fat from being on a better diet for two weeks.

I am not really seeing a lot of bloat in the pictures. Chubby babies.. but not bloat.
If I was there, I would be feeling their bellies with a finger tip, seeing if there were any hard spots, and massaging them out.
A lot of time a hard spot is a full bladder, which goes away after they pee.

Go with a regular feeding, and see how much they are willing to eat, and how they pee and poop.
Monitor how their belly feels after a feeding and then the change before the next feeding. When a belly still feels taught before the next feeding, like there is no room for more formula... THEN we get really worried. If it feels tight after a feeding, but loose with room available before the next feeding, you don't have a bloated baby... you have a fat baby.

Give them a little (like half a ml) of warm water between feedings.

Check how they feel just as you pull them from the bedding.. they should be warm, but not hot. Overheating can lead to dehydration and reduced urine.

They eat very well. They’re never not hungry lol But I try not to overfeed. I will try the massaging. I have it set up to where they can get off the heating pad, but I will if that’s the problem.

[Javarat]

I have it set up to where they can get off the heating pad, but I will if that’s the problem.The best indicator is how they feel when you pick them up. I use wireless monitoring, programmable heating pads, and even high/low warning alarms on my tubs and incubator... and it always turns out that how warm they feel when I pick them up is what actually matters. Because they all vary on how well they retain the heat, based on body fat and fur. With the body fat on yours they are more likely to overheat.

[Mel1959]

Hi Faith, I'm just catching up on your thread. I would be happy to help you with your babies any way I can. I live on the coast south of cocoa beach. I also know of several rehabbers near you in Altamonte springs/Orlando area that may also be able to provide assistance.

I will send you my phone number in a private message which you can access from the "notifications" heading at the top of the page.

Edit: PM sent

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Faith, I'm just catching up on your thread. I would be happy to help you with your babies any way I can. I live on the coast south of cocoa beach. I also know of several rehabbers near you in Altamonte springs/Orlando area that may also be able to provide assistance.

I will send you my phone number in a private message which you can access from the "notifications" heading at the top of the page.

Thank you Mel for getting to this thread so quickly and offering your help, as always. :grouphug

[Faithb]

They eat very well. They’re never not hungry lol But I try not to overfeed. I will try the massaging. I have it set up to where they can get off the heating pad, but I will if that’s the problem.

Just wanted to update everyone I do believe javarat was right. They all peed for me the last 2 feedings (not as much as usual) I will still do water in between feedings. Penelope popped! A big poop lol never thought I’d be excited about that, and I put some more insulation in between them and the heating pad so they won’t get so hot. I will weigh them before the next feeding ( I hadn’t been since I thought they were bloated) someone pmed me their number who is in Florida and I will be reaching out to her later today. Thanks everyone for the help and concern I will keep you all updated.

[Javarat]

I note that based on the size of your babies.. you are about to go into the 'Terrible Twos'. (2 to 3 week period) And i think that this may worry you.

Just like with a human toddler, they are going to start cutting off early, turning their head, and try to push the syringe away. I think that their growth steadies out, and with ample reserves, they lose that 'desperate urge' to consume mass quantities. So once the initial hunger is sated (at about half a ml) they totally refuse to eat more. I have tried the "here comes the airplane open up the hanger" that I used on my daughter.. and it definitely does not work on squirrels.

If you feel their tummy is still not full you will be frustratedly trying to get them to eat 'just a little bit more', and worry that they are sick or bloating. When they are in this phase I have found the trick is momentum. Once the syringe is in their mouth.. keep the steady flow that you have learned they will accept. As long as you can get the entire first syringe in they will do fine, even if they refuse the second for a feeding or two. They have ample reserves and will not starve.

When they get into the 3rd week and hair starts coming in they will start a growth spurt... and their desire to fill up will return.
During the 4th week they will accelerate even more... gaining around 30 grams (almost half their weight) in just 7 days.
And after their eyes open they will claim that you never feed them enough, even though you don't cut them off until 8%.

[Mel1959]

I spoke with Faith last night and sent her the numbers of three squirrel rehabbers in her area that she could call for advice or immediate "eyes on" a situation, as well as the contact number for Dr. Emerson. She thinks the bloat and immediate concerns she had are under control right now.

Great job, Faith!

[Faithb]

I spoke with Faith last night and sent her the numbers of three squirrel rehabbers in her area that she could call for advice or immediate "eyes on" a situation, as well as the contact number for Dr. Emerson. She thinks the bloat and immediate concerns she had are under control right now.

Great job, Faith!


Thanks you!
My three little ones are doing great they are 26,27,28 grams! Lol I have switched completely to whole goats milk, whipping creams and yogurt formula. They are all using the restroom regularly and well now, I am still doing water in between feeding but only every other feeding. I will probably stop that tomorrow and do water once a day. I have gotten their bedding situation taken care of and they are no longer getting hot. I think they were a little bloated (because of the non diluted canned milk and heat) but they aren’t anymore. Definitely an adjustment period getting used to caring for these guys but this site and the people on it make it much less stressful. Thanks everyone so much!!

[Faithb]

My squirrels are wonderful! I’m going to attach a picture from tonight’s feeding and weigh sessions, Penelope is 40g (omg) squilliam is 39g and chippey is 37g I’m doing 6% of their body weight at each feeding. I’m assuming the 7 feedings will continue for the rest of this week. Does anyone have any charts or articles or advice on how often to feed and how many feedings for each stage/ week I’d really appreciate it! This site has been awesome.

[redwuff]

Super looking babies!!:hug

Everyone has a different timing when the night feeding can be dropped. If everything is looking good with the baby, I will drop the night feeding at 35g but will still get 6 feedings during the day.

[Javarat]

They look great Faith :)

There are a lot of different charts for feeding schedules, a basic one is here:
http://www.squirrelrefuge.org/feedingscheduleamount.html

But... you will find that every litter of squirrels is different, because some did better/worse during the first couple of weeks.
And every rehabber customizes the schedule for each litter based on what they feel the litter needs.

My own personal formula (after eyes open) is, their age in weeks, minus 1. Example: 8 weeks -1 = 7 hour feedings.
And then I modify that by how well they are, and how much it takes for them to look full, but not bloated.
After they open their eyes at 5th week, my formula would calculate to 4 hour feedings. But if they are cutting off at less than 7% with full tummies I do five hour feedings.

Also after 6th week they can have longer and longer periods at night between feedings.
By 7th week I can normally feed them at 10pm and then at 5am. Wow.. 7 hours of sleep!