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akh
09-29-2020, 08:48 AM
Acorn has been with us for nearly 4 weeks and is approximately 8 weeks old. When we started with syringe feeding it was a bit of a challenge to get the technique down but he adjusted and has been eating well (avg 2-2.5 cc every 4 hours) and gaining weight. He's on the Fox Valley 20/50 formula with rodent block available, though he doesn't seem to be eating it much if at all.

Last night I mixed up a fresh batch of formula, same as I always do, and put in the fridge for my husband to feed before work. When I woke up my husband asked if I could make a new batch of formula because Acorn kept spitting it out and wouldn't eat it. I checked the formula and it was really thick and gelatinous, not liquid like normal. I don't know of any difference in how I prepared it but it definitely wasn't the same! I mixed a fresh batch and tried to feed and once again he would take a mouthful and then spit it everywhere. He has LOTS of energy and was getting so hyped up with trying that I finally put him back in his cage to chill out before trying again. Most recently I did get about 1.5 ccs in him before he got distracted and refused to eat any more.

I have no idea what is going on here... if he got a bad batch and is now afraid to eat it, or if maybe he burned his mouth when I fed fresh mixed formula or if he had a problem I'm not aware of. He isn't clicking or anything to suggest that he's aspirated formula and as stated his energy level is excellent. Current plan is to try again in 4 hours and see how it goes but I'd welcome tips or feedback in case his attitude does not improve.

Spanky
09-29-2020, 09:08 AM
Tell us how it goes with the next feeding.

I'd back off to every 5 hours with an 8 week old flyer (maybe even 5.5 hours).

Don't worry about his not eating blocks yet, that will happen... he is at the age right now where he should start actually eating them any day now.

akh
09-29-2020, 02:53 PM
Thanks for the tip on feeding time! I'll definitely back off on the number of feedings... it will help with my sanity as well as keeping him healthy :)

Our afternoon feeding went much better. He took 2.5 ccs which is normal-high for him. I'm sure he was hungry after skipping 2 meals! I'll keep tracking his intake but I'm hoping whatever made him mad has passed and he'll be a happier boy at feeding time from now on

Spanky
09-29-2020, 03:49 PM
Do you have his current weight?

akh
09-29-2020, 09:00 PM
He weighed in at 46 grams this morning