Help! My little one is not thriving. What can I do?

[GeddisMom]

I found this little cutie on August 10th. I tried to get her Mom to take her but she wouldn’t. ��
So I took her in.

I was feeding her Fox Valley 32/40 and pedialyte and then she wouldn’t eat so I which her over to Esbilac and she was eating. But she has never really showed any signs of growing. She looks extremely emaciated.

What can I do to help her?

She just cried for me so I picked her up and she snuggled into my chest.

Connie

[GeddisMom]

This is her tonight.
Connie

[Chirps]

Hi! FV 32/40 is not recommended for baby squirrels. How long since you transitioned her to the Esbilac? Is it the powder or the liquid? The liquid is no good for squirrels. The powder must be kept refrigerated once opened or it will go rancid. Have you read the primer on baby squirrels? If not, you can find the link in my signature. The primer is 6 pages long, click on "next" in the upper right of each page to go to the next page.

Does she eat, pee and poop well? Babies are fed 5-7% of their body weight at each feeding, so you need to weigh her. If you don't already have a kitchen scale that can weigh in grams they are available at places like Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond. What sort of container is she in? A storage bin with a non shutoff heating pad under half of it is best. By any chance is she in a cardboard box? Cardboard steals moisture and can cause dehydration.

If you haven't yet, read the primer and report back all the details of how you've been caring for her. Details are important, so include everything, even if you might think it irrelevant. One of the experts can give guidance on anything that might be missing from your regimen.

Thanks for caring for her!

[Spanky]

I was feeding her Fox Valley 32/40 and pedialyte and then she wouldn’t eat so I which her over to Esbilac and she was eating. But she has never really showed any signs of growing. She looks extremely emaciated.

Hi Connie -

Thank you for caring for this little squirrel.

Yes, she is dangerously thin and not thriving. In addition to the comments and questions from Chirps, it is important to never mix pedialyte with formula. Pedialyte should not be given for more than 24 hours... if hydration is still needed after that, switch to plain water.

If Pedialyte been mixed in the formula right along that is likely causing issues as her system will be overloaded with electrolytes and not working properly.

She does look dehydrated and a dehydrated baby cannot digest formula very well. I am going to suggest that she be given some water between feedings. I'd try to give her 2ml.

Also I would switch up her formula to 50% Esbilac and 50% Fox Valley 20/50 as she is older now and needs the "next step" formula. For emaciated ones I take in I also add Fox Valley Ultraboost... the final formulation is 1 part Esbilac, 1 part Fox Valley 20/50 and 1/3 part Ultraboost. I feed emaciated babies around the clock until they are "caught up", or caught up as best they can get caught up.

Can you share with us how much she weighs, how much she eats each feeding and how frequently she is being fed?

[GeddisMom]

Thanks for all the advice.
But she didn’t make it.
I did not know the powder Esbilac would go rancid if not refrigerated so I guess that was what happened. She had been on that a week.
I was not mixing the pedialyte with the formula I gave that to her separately.

I have taken all your advice and if ever I am given another chance to care for another baby squirrel.

God has plans for her in the meadows and trees of heaven.

She was so sweet and I will miss her.

Thanks again for all the advice.
Connie

[Charley Chuckles]

So sorry you lost her😟
She knew she was loved❤️

[Tashahaven]

Just wondering…What was her energy/activity like the past couple days?

It’s very sad, I’m so sorry you lost her.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Connie:
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Little One! Thank you for the love that you bestowed upon her! RIP Baby Squirrel! I wish you peace as well, Connie!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel