5-6 Week Grey Squirrel Suddenly Not Eating

[Cordelia]

I'm not sure of his exact age, but his eyes opened ten days ago. We're first-timers; we've had him nearly two weeks after rescuing him from a cat. He's always been a happy little pig at his bottle (1cc syringe), and he seems healthy and active and weighed 132g this morning. We've been careful to limit his five daily feedings to 5% of his body weight. He ate normally at his breakfast eight hours ago, but has turned away uninterested since then. He's still active - in fact, if anything, he's more active than usual and gives the appearance from his nuzzling and searching that he's trying to find his milk. However, when I offer the bottle, he just ignores it. I've tried drops in the corner of his mouth; I've tried the electrolyte solution we gave him in the beginning; I've tried mixing up a new batch of formula. Any further suggestions? Any idea what might be wrong?

[TomahawkFlyers]

Howdy! Can you please share with us exactly what formula you are feeding him? Is he eating anything else? When you rescued him from the cat, were there any puncture marks, scratches, or bleeding? Thanks! We'll be watching for your response.

Jamie

[Cordelia]

After the rescue, we eventually cleaned him up and discovered that there was no visible damage at all. I still assumed there would be something internal - but we've never seen a sign of problems.

He's been on homemade formula up till now; ironically, his Fox Valley 20/50 was just delivered and is sitting in an unopened bag right in front of me. His homemade mix was 1 water, 2 raw Jersey milk, 1 extra-fat yogurt, 1 egg yolk. We did the best we could since goat's milk is unfortunately unavailable to us (and none of the shelters would take him since grey squirrels are invasive here). We've not offered him any solids yet.

This afternoon he continues to be active but doesn't care two figs about his bottle. He's pooing normally and independently - two or three soft yellow pellets - and although I haven't noticed any pee.

Thanks so much for getting back to me!

[TomahawkFlyers]

Thanks for the quick response. First things first, cow's milk - raw or otherwise - is really hard on a squirrel's digestive system. I get it - any port in a storm. Your little guy might well be suffering from an upset stomach/stomach ache. Now that the 20/50 has arrived, I suggest you dispose of the homemade formula and get him on 20/50 . Don't be surprised if his appetite is diminished (or he doesn't want to eat anything at all) for a short while his digestive system returns to normal.

By the way, you did exactly the right things after the cat encounter. You probably know that cat saliva is full of things that can kill a squirrel - washing the little guy off and checking for wounds was perfect. Keep us up to date?

Jamie

[Cordelia]

There are now half a dozen or more poops scattered all across his house. I don't think it's diarrhea, but it's hard tell since he's tracked them around. Bath time; then we'll try another bottle of electrolyte. Maybe his digestion was just not moving along well and he didn't have space to want more food? Happens to people...

Once he's eating again, I've been planning to begin his transition to the Fox Valley formula, diluted 3:1 and mixed 50/50 with his current homemade formula. Does that sound right?

[Cordelia]

Our last two messages crossed in the ether. Thanks a million for your concern and advice.

We've been busy bathing him and cleaning his house; after that he took 3cc of electrolyte solution (half a meal) and went to sleep. So encouraging! From what you've said, it sounds like I should just move him straight to the 3:1 dilute 20/50 rather than make a slow transition off the current formula. Is that right?

I didn't know about cat saliva: yikes!

Not urgent, but on the subject of things I don't know...why do homemade formula recipes call for cow's milk yogurt and cow's milk cream but never, as you point out, for just plain cow's milk. What makes the yogurt and the cream okay?

Thanks again, Jamie!

[TomahawkFlyers]

There are now half a dozen or more poops scattered all across his house. I don't think it's diarrhea, but it's hard tell since he's tracked them around. Bath time; then we'll try another bottle of electrolyte. Maybe his digestion was just not moving along well and he didn't have space to want more food? Happens to people...

Once he's eating again, I've been planning to begin his transition to the Fox Valley formula, diluted 3:1 and mixed 50/50 with his current homemade formula. Does that sound right?

If you were transitioning from Esbilac powdered puppy formula to the 20/50, that would be correct. I advise against a transition from the homemade with cow's milk and to go straight to the 20/50 at the recommended dilution. That cow's milk is making him unwell. Wilds are very good at hiding distress - it is part of how they keep predators from sensing weakness. Poop is good. It is probably moving through because he has not been drinking the cow's milk. In addition, the electrolytes are for emergency hydration. He is now likely hydrated and he will get all that he needs from the formula. Again, best to go straight to 20/50. Abandon the homemade with cow's milk. You are a wonderful soul to be caring for this creature.

Jamie

[TomahawkFlyers]

Our last two messages crossed in the ether. Thanks a million for your concern and advice.

We've been busy bathing him and cleaning his house; after that he took 3cc of electrolyte solution (half a meal) and went to sleep. So encouraging! From what you've said, it sounds like I should just move him straight to the 3:1 dilute 20/50 rather than make a slow transition off the current formula. Is that right?

I didn't know about cat saliva: yikes!

Not urgent, but on the subject of things I don't know...why do homemade formula recipes call for cow's milk yogurt and cow's milk cream but never, as you point out, for just plain cow's milk. What makes the yogurt and the cream okay?

Thanks again, Jamie!


There are now half a dozen or more poops scattered all across his house. I don't think it's diarrhea, but it's hard tell since he's tracked them around. Bath time; then we'll try another bottle of electrolyte. Maybe his digestion was just not moving along well and he didn't have space to want more food? Happens to people...

Once he's eating again, I've been planning to begin his transition to the Fox Valley formula, diluted 3:1 and mixed 50/50 with his current homemade formula. Does that sound right?

Yes, indeed. Stop the electrolyte and homemade, go straight to 20/50. He will thank you. Regarding the cream and the yogurt, I don't know the scientific reason well enough to say why they are OK. I do know from long experience and from the more medically knowledgeable people on this board that cow's milk is harmful. I invite you to read here: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?5843-STOP!-NEVER-FEED-COW-S-MILK-TO-BABY-SQUIRRELS!

[island rehabber]

Cordelia, you're in the best of hands with Jamie. I just want to point out that you may even be offering food too often during the day. At your guy's age (6+ weeks) he doesn't need five feedings. Mine are the same age and happy with three. HOWEVER, they have been on Fox Valley formula all along and that really moves more slowly through their systems. You will find once he is on the FV he won't be hungry every four hours so stretch the feedings out to avoid diarrhea or bloat.

I want to applaud you for improvising and researching the best thing for this little one even though none of the normal resources were available to you! :bowdown :applause

[Cordelia]

Good morning!

We got 4cc of 3:1 dilute Fox Valley into him late last night and another 6cc this morning. He's not quite back to his former zeal at the bottle, but things a clearly looking up. Jamie, your expert support here has made such a difference to my state of mind. This is the first internet forum I've ever joined - and I'm so glad to have found you people.

Thanks for the encouragement, Island Rehabber. My daughter and I are enjoying our little wild guest so very much, but it's certainly been intense. As we taper him down to just three daily feedings, do we continue giving him 5% of his body weight each feeding or ought that to be increased to 7%? And ought we to begin providing rodent block and a water bottle now as well?

[TomahawkFlyers]

SUCCESS! YAY!

IR will answer the question you've directed to her. Keep us posted!

Jamie

[Cordelia]

Another excellent meal down the hatch and truly copious amounts of healthy-looking pee and poo. He looks to be thriving. I've taken the morning to do a lot more reading here on the Squirrel Board, and found answers to the feeding questions I asked above. Now that he's no longer an emergency case, I'll post any further queries in the appropriate location. Thanks, Jamie and IH!

[TomahawkFlyers]

WooHOO!