Found baby, trying to save

[bdowdy420]

Found a little baby in our backyard two days ago and he's having some issues. I've read so many threads and websites but I need some clarification. Im guessing hes between 2 to three weeks old.

So we found him, warmed him up, we have an old hamster cage with heating pad under half. He shows some signs of dehydration, dry skin, tugor test seems to tent for a second or two, etc, but he drank a bunch, was pretty active when hungry, and is peeing often and clear. His skin is pretty wrinkly and has a bunch of bumps that are what i believe to be scabs, they are light in color though, not dark like a bloody scab. he had a flea and some mites on him when we found him but we've been bathing him to keep them away. He feels warm when i get him out of the cage, and crawls around when I put him in or set him on a towel.

We unfortunately started him on PetAG Formula Plus, not Esbilac as they had none at the store that night, nor did we do only hydration fluid at the start, it was a mix of the Formula plus and the salt/water/sugar mixture as someone recommended. His first poops were dark and hard. His later poops were lighter and mushier and getting more so it seems. After reading more i've been educated about hydrating before feeding formula, and since last night have been feeding homemade hydration solution only, roughly 2.5ccs every 3 hours. He is still peeing clear, has a healthy appetite, but his poops are getting clearer and looser, almost mucusy, not harder or darker.

I weighed him for the first time yesterday and it read 46 grams, i weighed today and it read 43 grams.

I'm afraid that he isnt getting the nutrition needed from just the hydration formula, but i also don't want to make things worse if adding it in now would.


Should i stick with just the hydration solution listed here? (the sugar/salt/water solution) should i start feeding diluted esbilac with hydration solution feedings in between? There are so many conflicting views all over the internet its hard to know what the best option is.

Please help!

[Spanky]

So the mustard / golden poops are formula poops and the original, darker poos were from momma's milk. So all okay there.. the Formula Plus usually results in diarrhea.

I believe I understand the originally the hydration (salt/sugar water) was being used to mix up the formula, but it is now realized this should not be done; hydration (sugar/salt water) and formula should be feed separately, with some time in between.

The Esbilac should be the powdered version, the pre-liquid one is not the same unfortunately. Best to mix it up with very hot water hours ahead and let it sit a while (optimally overnight in the fridge) stirring / shaking it up occasionally to more fully dissolve the particles. Make sure the Esbilac expiration is 10/2021 or later... and I would recommend you order some Fox Valley 20/50. You can get it from Henry's:
https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50-for-baby-squirrels/

They have a good, 6 page long primer on caring for baby squirrels too:
https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/

I switch babies to the 20/50 at about 3.5 weeks.

I would stop the salt/sugar combo and use straight water since it has been more than 24 hours, and give that in between feedings.. so I would start him on the Esbilac, yes. I would start at 50/50 dilution for a feeding or two then progress to 75/25 for one or two then 100% formula. I don't transition as slowly as most unless the baby is compromised.

[bdowdy420]

https://freeimage.host/i/drxMrv

heres a picture of the little guy, if it works.

[bdowdy420]

well the picture didnt work. XD

Thanks for the help. I'll start 50/50 diluted Esbilac with plain water in between. I'll try and figure out how to upload a working picture too, he looks so skinny and wrinkly compared to many others ive seen on here.

Is there any cause for concern on the clear, runny poops? They were yellow, but they seem to be getting clearer with each feeding/bathrooming. It's definitely coming out without my help as well as there are spots on the fabric in his cage. Also, I just noticed today a couple red spots on his belly/butt area. I'm assuming this is just like a diaper rash and needs a bit better cleaning? probably from crawling around in previously mentioned soiled spots on the fabric? I'll try and get some pictures of it as well.


Thanks again for replying! The lil' guy appreciates it. :) I did order some FV formula yesterday, wont be here for almost a week though. Would you recommend switching to that once it arrives?

[bdowdy420]

https://i.imgur.com/JctO3cn.jpg

Just trying to get this image upload to work again. If there is no image in this comment, just ignore. :)

[Spanky]

Wash him with soapy water using Dawn Dish soap.. the original blue one. Read the 6 page primer at Henry's... he needs to be stimulated to poo and pee at each feeding. (Edit: I see you are doing that).

You can also wipe him down with diluted betadine solution (povidine-iodine)... a few drops (20) in a cup of water... like weak tea... this is good for all kinds of bacterial and fungal issues as well as minor skin irritations. This is available at any drug store / WalMart etc.

He is very dehydrated and looks severely underweight... how much does he weigh? Continue to give water between feedings.

Keep us updated please! And ask any and all questions you may have.

[bdowdy420]

Yes i will continue to wash with Dawn. :)

He weighs 43 grams. He was very dried and scabby when found so not sure how long he was without his momma. He sure likes to wriggle around when feeding though. :)

Thanks for the help!

[Spanky]

Feeding guidelines:


316014316015

[bdowdy420]

316019

Heres an image of his back so you can see the scabby/scaley-ness better. I've been washing him with Dawn, but will pick up some of that anti fungal/bacterial stuff to make the 'tea' as well.

[bdowdy420]

https://i.imgur.com/Kdb92TN.jpg

and here is his underbelly and private parts. you can see the red bump on his inner leg there and little red spot on the butt.

[Spanky]

I believe the betadine will help with the skin issues. I wonder if those scabs are remnants of ant bites... babies left alone are often mobbed by ants (and flies).

He looks a bit dehydrated, can you give him 0.5ml - 1ml of water in between feedings for a day or so?

[bdowdy420]

Will do! I'll pick up some betadine and do that tea remedy and hope he starts clearing up.

If he wants more water is it ok to let him drink more or should I strictly limit the water to that amount between feedings?

Also, his genital area seems a bit irritated, its all a bit red looking, any tips for bathrooming while thats going on? I'm trying to be as gentle as i can, i've moist paper towels and cottons balls, not sure if the material is causing irritation or not.

[Chickenlegs]

Tap with your finger. Use a tissue under him and blot when he’s finished. No rubbing. You can put a little neosporin on irritation or vasaline.

[bdowdy420]

UPDATE on the baby. I've been feeding the Esbilac formula every three hours with a water feeding in between each formula feeding.

His poops have gotten much less frequent, but thicker and more colorful, still not thick enough though.

BUT his weight keeps going down and it I'm worried. The FV formula will be here tomorrow now, so hopefully that helps.

I just weighed him now and it said 38 grams! It's possible he had more in his tummy when i weighed previously, but this weight was after feeding and bathroom just the same as they all have been.
I'm going to try and get a new scale as well to make sure there are no issues there, and i'll be monitoring his weight at each feeding, made myself a little chart to track it.

He still seems pretty dehydrated via the skin tugor test, will keep up the water feedings between formula and hope to see improvement, but the weight loss has me concerned for sure.

His belly irritation/rash has cleared up pretty well with more consistent bathing and bedding changes, also hes not squirting runny poo all over the cage now as he crawls around and im sure that helps.

[Mel1959]

Fox Valley makes a product called Ultraboost which is substituted for 25% measurement of Fox Valley, or any formula. It adds additional calories, as well as nutrients without the side effect of loose stool. Henrys pets website sells it, as does the a Fox Valley website.

I always keep a running record of my babies weight, bowel movements, urination, and formula consumption. I weigh them the same time each morning after stimulating them and before feeding. This way I can detect a downward spiral or affirm that they are steadily gain8ng.

[bdowdy420]

I'll check out the supplemental formula stuff for sure!

Anything I should be doing in the meantime though until it arrives? Just weighed again and he's down to 37 now. FV formula arrives tomorrow. I've been weighing at every formula or water feeding just because it has me concerned.

I dont understand why he's losing weight. I'm feeding esbilac at 2 parts water/1 part esbilac every three hours. I'm feeding plain water half way between those feedings. His poops are getting firmer and darker, he's been peeing good and clear the whole time, and he eats very enthusiastically, but he still seems so dehydrated, is so skinny already and is still losing weight.

I'm hoping i'm just worrying for no reason and the FV will correct the issue when it arrives tomorrow. I don't know. I sure have gotten attached to the little booger and just want him to be a strong boy!
I'm probably being impatient as it seems I'm doing nearly everything that can be done, but the weight loss really scares me!

[island rehabber]

babies like your little guy are why I started using Fox Valley Ultra Boost years ago. I mix it two parts Esbilac to one part Ultra Boost and the babies gain normally and thrive. Love that stuff .

[bdowdy420]

UPDATE: Baby isnt pooping much at all since last night, i've stimulated to no avail, there hasnt' been any waste on his blanket, but there was a smidge on his back feet today. His weight has stayed at 38 grams all day. He's peed every time, sometimes a lot, sometimes just a little.

Should I just keep trying to soak and stimulate? Is their something else i can feed him to help him along?

He's getting 2 CC of Esbilac every 3 hours, with 1-2 CCs of plain water halfway between feedings. He drinks the formula very eagerly, but he's been drinking less water these last couple feeds than he did in previously, and is less eager for it in general.

Would diluting the formula more help? Once started on Esbilac he went from very loose stool to firmer stool, to very little stool at all. I don't want to withdraw too many calories and nutrition from the guy as hes so skinny already.


How long should one his age go without significant bowel movements before its cause for concern?

I know i ask a lot of questions, sorry. Thanks for all the help folks!

[bdowdy420]

UPDATE: So he's still not pooping great and I'm very concerned. He had one grain of rice sized dark and hard poop yesterday, and then since then every time I feed and check there is a little spot there like there is poop that wants to come out, but it never does. Soaking helps a little in cleaning the area, the little poop point gets hydrated instead of darker and dried, but still nothing really comes out.

I've soaked, I've massaged, I've gone longer between feedings, nothing seems to work in getting his poop right! I'm still feeding water between FV feedings. Right now he is on full formula, should I dilute?

Would feeding apple juice or pumpkin help as ive seen recommended in places?

What else can I do to help?

[Spanky]

Would feeding apple juice or pumpkin help as ive seen recommended in places?

You can give him some unsweetened apple juice in between feedings.

Can you post updated pictures too? I really worry about this little guy's hydration.


What else can I do to help?

I use Fox Valley Dia-Stat when I am have trouble getting anyone hydrated. This provides fluid, electrolytes as well as calories... My suggestion is that the Dia-Stat may be what he needs.

[bdowdy420]

Ill check out that DiaStat as well! Wish it was something i could find in store so I didn't have to wait for shipping dangit.

His appetite seems fine and im not really noticing much, if any, bloating. He has stayed at 38 grams essentially all this time, sometimes it says 37, sometimes 39, but mostly 38. He has still being peeing quite a bit and it always very clear. He started om the Fox Valley 20/50 on the evening of the 28th, should i be diluting the formula more until he is pooping regularly you think?


Here are some new pictures and a video:

316084

316082

316083


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLg1Z5-A9Js&feature=youtu.be

[bdowdy420]

Just to confirm, you recommend the Dia-Stat not the Electro Stat, yes?

Henrys is out of the Dia-Stat of course! They have the Electro-Stat but I see it cant be used for more than 48 hours at a time.

I'll check around online and see if anywhere else carries the Dia-stat as well.

[bdowdy420]

UPDATE! WE GOT SOME POO! lol

just a little bit, but it came out unexpectedly while i was trying to get him to pee. Pretty soft, I think the color is about right though, correct?316091

[Spanky]

Just to confirm, you recommend the Dia-Stat not the Electro Stat, yes?

I recommended Dia-Stat, yes.

[Spanky]

UPDATE! WE GOT SOME POO! lol

:poop:poop:poop:bliss

[Mel1959]

I recommended Dia-Stat, yes.

I thought Dia-stat was for diarrhea and electro-stat was for rehydration?? :dono

[Spanky]

I thought Dia-stat was for diarrhea and electro-stat was for rehydration?? :dono

Electro-stat is an hydration fluid.

DIA-STAT provides energy and electrolytes rapidly to the animal to help restore lost fluids. DIA-STAT helps normalize stool consistency.

Check out this thread... I have been sold on DiaStat ever since.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?59761-Diastat-Dynasty-TSB-Prayers-Answered!&highlight=diastat

[bdowdy420]

So the baby has been doing pretty well, been eating good, pooping and peeing multiple times a day, getting very furry and more energetic...

however, at feeding today I saw how long his bottom teeth had grown and it got me concerned.

He has a tiny tiny little tooth nub up top, but his bottom teeth looked like they nearly went to the roof of the mouth. Is this normal? I'll try and get some pics tomorrow.

Is it too early to introduce something for him to chew on? His eyes are still closed but I'd guess hes right about 5 weeks now.

[Spanky]

Posting a picture is always good, but yes the bottom teeth will look very long especially if you pull down their gums.

[Rock Monkey]

Glad to hear that he is doing better.

[bdowdy420]

Ok i was pulling down the gums when looking at them so that might be why it alarmed me. When he yawns they look much smaller, and then when he does the guppy face thing i can see them even less...

Here are some pics and a video of the lil guy! any day now he should be opening is eyes.

316249

316250


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxVH0bck8zs&feature=youtu.be