View Full Version : 6 week old squirrel with enlarged stomach but not bloated!
Morgan
09-02-2022, 09:06 AM
Hi, I was on here a week or so ago with a 5 week old squirrel who was bloated. He’s since resolved that but now he seems to be getting really big in the stomach for a long period of time after I feed him. He’s eating way below the amount he should he’s only eating 4ml and feeding every 4 hours. His stomach isn’t hard like it was when he was bloated and he’s pooping just fine, but he looks abnormal in the stomach and I’m not sure what’s wrong (if anything).
Any advice would be helpful!
Spanky
09-02-2022, 09:52 AM
If you can share more info we may be able to figure this out together (the collective!)...
1) How much does he weigh?
2) What formula are you feeding every 4 hours?
And are you keeping the powdered formula in the freezer (fridge minimally)? Not reusing previously warmed (for feeding) formula?
3) Is he getting any solids (rodent block)?
Morgan
09-02-2022, 11:43 AM
He’s on FV 20/50 and yes I keep his powder in the freezer and never reuse warmed formula.
He’s not getting any solids yet, I ordered Henry’s healthy bites blocks and they should be in today or tomorrow.
He weighs 91g
Spanky
09-02-2022, 11:49 AM
At 6 weeks old I would go to every 5 hours feeding and see if he'll eat more. And make sure the formula temp is very hot (like 120F give or take 5F). See if that does not encourage him to take more.
I'd also consider adding Ultraboost (1/3 Ultraboost to 2/3 FV 20-50) since he is a little light... most of my babies are over 100grams when eyes open (unless they are compromised on intake).
Morgan
09-02-2022, 11:53 AM
He definitely is interested in eating more but his stomach gets so big and doesn’t seem to deflate much between feedings should I worry about that or is it fine as long as it’s not hard?
Spanky
09-02-2022, 12:07 PM
The feeding frequency guidelines for 5-7 weeks old is 4-5 hours. The extra hour is to see if that does help his belly empty out more... feeding more formula when there is formula still in the stomach can cause bloat (especially in newborns to 3 or 4 weeks) which is why we watch the milk line so carefully before it is covered with fur.
He may still have formula from the prior feeding and that may be why his belly is ballooning up as described. So I am suggesting giving him an extra hour (going from every 4 hours to every 5 hours) to see if that does not straightened the belly issues?
Squishy belly is good, hard belly bad. :thumbsup
Morgan
09-02-2022, 12:11 PM
I gave him 5 1/2 hours between feedings this morning and still no difference…
CritterMom
09-02-2022, 12:28 PM
Can you give us a pic of him with his tummy blown up so we can see what you see? Because I don't see anything in the pic you have - doesn't look bloated to me... They get pretty chubby after a feed. :dono
Morgan
09-03-2022, 12:01 PM
Here’s what his stomach looks like after 4 hours after feeding 5ml. Sorry if the pictures aren’t super good he’s super active and never sits still!
CritterMom
09-03-2022, 08:10 PM
Is that just the lighting, or can I actually see a fairly full milk line through his fur at 5 hours?
Morgan
09-04-2022, 07:09 AM
I don’t think so I can never see his milk line now that he has a fur…
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