Feeding Help Needed!

[EarlsMom]

The 6 wk (now maybe 7 wk) old squirrel I found last Sunday was doing well eating the first four or five days days and was gaining almost 10g a day. Unfortunately he was a vigorous eater and a nipple biting, syringe tip gnawing maniac making it difficult to control the formula flow. I noticed him starting to sneeze and refusing his feeding and suspected AP (which is being addressed on the Emergency Help Needed thread, thank you to everyone there). Trouble is now, between him refusing to nurse from the syringe, not knowing how to lap yet, I’m concerned he is going to start losing the weight he gained this week (40g), and more worrisome, becoming dehydrated! I need some help knowing what to do to feed him or get him lapping. I have gone through 4 mini miracle nipples and three silicone mothering nipples, besides two syringes without any nipple at all!! I’m kind of desperate now. Today I’ve only managed to get 3ml into him and that was a squeaking, grumbling, head-hiding, heart pounding ordeal for him! My heart breaks for this guy.

What else do I need to try? Do they make stainless steel syringes?

Oh, and before it’s suggested, I have tried to keep the syringe off to the side away from his teeth. And he IS eating lots of Zupreem monkey chow and some vegetables. I’ve been offering oranges and grapes too just to keep some form of liquid going into him. (I know the calcium:phosphorus chart and grapes aren’t the ideal ratio)

[redwuff]

Is there anyway you could get someone to video this shark feeding frenzy. What size syringe are you using and how often are you feeding? And what percent of body weight?

Would you post a picture of your sweet baby? It does scare me a bit to think of a 6-7 week old leaping from a dish, but I am sure it has been done before.

[CritterMom]

My Zeke was a shark. I went through 12 Miracle nipples, which would have bought me a Porsche, and probably 40 syringes! And was also actually looking online for stainless syringes! All I can suggest is buying a whole boatload of syringes and don't bother with the $$$ nipples (unless you just don't WANT a Porsche).

One thing that helped me a little is that I don't use one syringe to feed. If I am feeding 12cc of formula I load 12 1cc or 4 3cc syringes with formula and keep them in a cup of hot water, tip down, with the water coming up to just below the top of the barrel so no water gets in to the syringe. The formula stays warm and when one syringe is empty I simply drop it and plug the next one into the shark, um, baby's mouth. If there is no lag time they seem to not get so frantic. If you have decent hand/eye coordination and don't mind just dropping the empty to the floor you can make the swap really quickly and they don't even know it has happened.

[EarlsMom]

Thanks Redwuff for your reply. The little guy is refusing his feedings but i do have a video of him about his third time eating where he had just gotten the hang of nursing from the syringe. If nothing else, maybe you can see if I am doing something wrong.
I had been using a 5ml or 10ml oring miracle syringe, but I had to resort to trying other syringes I had that fit a silicone mothering nipple (without the lauer lock) until I received some back up mini miracle nipples. In the photo you can see I marked how long the 5ml syringe top had been and the arrow shows the 1ml after the last feeding, which was all I could get in him. I actually had to try and get a tiny piece out of his mouth he’d bitten off.

He’s only had 4ml total today! He’s down 6g from 200g.

I’m feeding 4x a day (about every 5 hours) but not overnight. I use 7% of his body weight that morning and fill a small dish with that amount and put it over a hot cup of water. I give him 5% and any more he wants up to the 7% as long as his tummy doesn’t get distended looking.

I can’t seem to upload the video. It errors.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I know he’s a chewer but part of the problem is the mini Miracle nipple. He needs the full size Miracle nipple. It is a lot longer so they almost swallow it to the hub while they suckle and are quite happy with it.
I think the short nipple is frustrating him. The mini is mostly for pinkies and the small ones. He’s a big boy. :grin2

I bet his frustration with the short nipple has led to his chewing frenzy. I know some are natural born chewers but the mini didn’t help.

I never use 5 or 10cc syringes. They are very risky. I use a 3cc for those his size.

[redwuff]

I think that I have to defer to the more experienced shark owner of the fabulous Mr. P (r.I.p) I have had plenty of frantic eaters but none like you are describing. Everything else you are doing sounds perfect. What formula are you feeding?

[EarlsMom]

I think the short nipple is frustrating him.

I never use 5 or 10cc syringes. They are very risky. I use a 3cc for those his size.

I think you maybe right HRT4SQRLS!! Tonight I was able to get at least 8cc in him using the 1ml syringe with the mothering nipple!!! And that after a drop by drop battle with the mini, which he tries to bite and pull on. He was calmer with the mothering nipple and I was able to refill the syringe quick enough before he noticed it was out of his mouth. I’ll be placing an order tonight for the 10 pack of original miracle nipples and a 50 pack of the mothering ones as back up!

Redwuff, I’m feeding just straight FV 20/50. Is that okay or do I need to add something. I use to mix half Esbilac and half FV with my other squirrel. But i didn’t dare use the Esbilac I had on hand because it was dispensed from a bulk size from a local rehabber. I had no idea if it was the problematic Esbilac or not, nor it’s expiration date.

Thanks Crittermom for the great idea to preload several syringes and keep them warm in a cup! Ilm ordering more of the smaller sizes.