Cold squirrel

[Vedition]

I have a 13 lined ground squirrel who is nearing 11 weeks. I have been actively weaning her for several weeks and adding solids to her diet. She eats everything! However, this is the second time this week I went to pick her up and she’s cold…
What is going on? Am I doing something wrong? She hasn’t used a heat pad in a couple weeks

[Diggie's Friend]

In all mammals, young go from their mother's milk, or formula, as is the case, to formula and introductory whole foods, and then finally to whole foods alone. If the squirrel has begun to eat whole foods and is in the crossover phase, do not to remove the formula from the diet. Instead, allow the squirrel to wean off the formula on their own and make the full transition to whole foods; otherwise, the squirrel may fail to thrive.

Another reason for being cold related to a failure to thrive, may be that the digestion is impaired. This may be from an imbalance in good forms and bad forms of gut flora. To support well digestion of whole foods, and the immune system, of which over 70 percent of resides in the gut in the form of good bacteria; it is needful to supplement the captive diet with a source of soil-based organisms, which then take the place of that which squirrels would acquire from the soil in their natural habitat.

"Pet Flora" by. 'Vitality Science', which contains no flavors or additives, is soil based probiotic and prebiotic, is suitable for both ground squirrels and tree squirrels. The probiotic includes various soil based good bacteria forms which counter bad bacteria forms; while the prebiotic also soil-soil based, promotes the growth of good bacteria forms, yet counters the bad forms, unlike sugar based prebiotics (FOS) do not differentiate between the good and bad forms as far as promoting the growth of bacteria in the gut. The prebiotic is also anti-viral, countering viral growth by blocking the replication of viruses, and so their growth.

https://vitalityscience.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq8Sj3_HTgAMV8TatBh2cNgG2EAAYASA AEgIKpvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/Vitality-Science-Pet-Flora-Gastrointestinal/dp/B005PJN2HO?th=1

This set of miniature teaspoon measuring spoons, will lend support to providing a measure out of one capsule of 1/64 Tsp. daily added into a wet food.

[Vedition]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I will certainly get this. She is still getting formula once a day but lots of solids so I suppose her stomach just isn’t handling it due to lack of gut bacteria.

Should the supplement be given daily until her release?

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Vedition:
What is your Squirrel's name? I have a few practical questions for you. What is the ambient temperature where your Squirrel is kept? Is there an air draft that she may be exposed to? An 11 week old Squirrel should be able to maintain a warm body temperature constantly. It may be, however, that your Squirrel's inside (core) temperature is normal but she is exposed to a draft or just cold air which may cool her skin and fur. Even if this is found to be the case, it should be remedied and your little Squirrel should be made comfortable. There are other more concerning causes of a Squirrel being cold and infection is one of them. Some common infections are pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTI's). If she remains quite active and has a good appetite and there are no signs of illness, an infection is probably NOT likely. There is also nothing wrong with keeping the heating pad active for a while longer but I would recommend keeping it under the cage and only under a third or so of the cage floor as your Squirrel should be able to decide whether or not she will seek the added source of warmth.

Just some other comments that were prompted by you stating that you were "actively" weaning your Squirrel. It is best to let your Squirrel decide on when to wean and at what pace the weaning should occur. Also, it is not unusual for an apparently weaned Squirrel to go back to taking formula a bit longer if it is available. I always give the Squirrel the benefit of the doubt once weaning seems assured and I still offer some formular 2 or 3 times a day for next week or so in case she might want some go back to formula for a time. I can do this because I never have a large "herd" but those who do, probably do not do this.

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Diggie's Friend]

To clarify, as posted: After infants begin to eat, "whole foods", is when the soil-based probiotic should be included. While still on formula, dairy based probiotic are what helps to replacement the good bacteria forms that infants in the wild normally acquire via their mother's milk.

This is especially key for babies given AB for infections. Be sure to give the AB and probiotics at separate times of the day.


In mammals, the initial colonists of the newborn gut microbes originate from the maternal placenta [14] and vaginal [15]. Postnatal factors include antibiotic treatment, breast milk, or environmental exposure [16]. Recent studies have found that microbes, such as Bifdobacterium [17], Lactobacillus plantarum [18], and other beneficial microorganisms, can be transmitted vertically to the infant gut during breastfeeding.

Stonyfield whole fat probiotic yogurt with non-alcohol organic vanilla extract, is one source that includes both the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium forms without sugar added.

https://www.vons.com/shop/product-details.960089849.html?productId=960089849&psrc=g&CMPID=ps_von_soc_ecom_goo_20200924_717000000730361 57_58700007744987555_92700070327425626&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6K3hzu6EgQMVfDKtBh0-owfVEAYYASABEgKtwvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This organic vanilla extract can be added to whole fat organic yogurt to improve the taste; is also produced with no sugars added.

https://www.amazon.com/Watkins-Organic-Vanilla-Alcohol-Flavoring/dp/B0BQ7TZVTD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=IP08T6DBDIEC&keywords=Just+organic+alcohol+free+vanilla+extract&qid=1693415687&rdc=1&sprefix=just+organic+alcohol+free+vanilla+extract+ %2Caps%2C150&sr=8-5