Chattering mouth & speck of blood on anus

I'm not sure if this is going to turn into an emergency, so I posting here. I have "Elliot," an estimated 18 day old baby who I fed GMF for 10 days, then switched to Esbilac (started on the morning of day 11). He tolerated the 2-day transition well and has been peeing, pooping great & thriving. About 3 days ago he didn't eat well (1ml) for 2 of his feeding, but ate fine (2mls) for his 3 other feedings. I checked his teeth and saw his lower teeth were coming in. The next day he was back to eating great.

I made fresh formula last night before I went to bed so I would have it ready to go this morning. I've never given him FV 32/40, but do add a table spoon of heavy whipping cream in his Esbilac. I've keep his formula in my food cooler that is nice and cold and only pull out my two syringes (typically 2 mls each) worth and place the formula back in the cooler immediately. I do not reheat any of his formula once he is done feeding and I clean the syringes and nipples after every feeding.

I travel on the weekends and he travels with me since I'm the only one caring for him. Today he's been a bit finicky starting out, but has done well (2 - 2.5 mls at 35g) overall. When I got to my hotel room, I decided to try feeding him an hour early b/c he only ate 1.5mls at his last feeding and just seemed thinner than I'm used to see after feeding.

When I went to stimulate him , I noticed a speck of blood on his anus. I cleaned it off, stimulated him and he peed and pooped fine. Actually pooped twice and saw no obvious blood mixed in the yellowish (normal color for him) poop. Then he did something I have not seen or read about. He chattered his jaw like we do when we are cold, like he was shivering. Keep in mind he is wrapped up in a warm fuzzy cloth &/or always in my palm to ensure he does not get cold.

I swapped out syringes several times as I use 2 so I can rotate when one starts to get cold. He licked and seemed like he wanted to suck the nipple, but did the "chattering" thing 2-3 times and would stop eating. I'd dry any dribble formula off him, rotate to a warmed syringe and try again. He just seemed like a child who didn't want to eat their broccoli. He would start, then pull his head away and push the syringe away. When I try again, he did the chattering again.

Any ideas about the tiny blood speck? Idea on the jaw chattering?

I keep him in a cooler with plenty of bedding, half on a heating pad and he sleeps in a fuzzy, fleece sock (ankle high), where he can crawl out if too hot. He's been in this since I've had him (about 3 days old) and has been doing so great. I make sure the temperature is 95F or better have worked hard to make sure he is getting everything he needs.

I hear no clicking when breathing, but he seemed to be a tiny bit more vocal during the last feeding. He is still very active when I get ready to feed and strong. Belly is soft and non-painful.

Any advice or ideas is appreciate. I'm getting ready to give him one more feeding. If he does not eat well, I will get up around 4am to feed him again.

I have never seen a squirrel this young "chattering" as you have described... hopefully others may have some insight.

Hopefully the speck of blood was an anomaly, but post back here if that shows up again.

Ok, I saw the blood one other time which was 2 days later. One day after I realized he got caught up in something I had as bedding. I don't know if was from the outside of the fleece lined winter sock or the micro fiber towelettes (size of a wash cloth). Either way, I could see the area from a video & photos I took the night before. There is an obvious line where his little let got hung up. I think the chattering was his sign of "pain." I feel like a total moron for not catching this until almost 24 hours later!

I was able to get the leg somewhat straight, but it will end up being a tiny bit crooked more than likely. I checked that he still had good circulation, feeling & movement in toes. He did! I can't figure out how to load a video to show his movements.

The outlook is very good. No more chattering or blood specks. Eating very well, peeing & pooping like a champ and his energy is high. The bone formed a great bone calus very fast and his leg is not painful. He is starting to spread and us his toes & leg more.

Obviously, I have nothing but smooth clothing in with my little guy now and just feel horrible this happened even though I thought all the materials I used were safe. He has been a real trooper.

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How is your little guys leg now? Do you think he broke his leg? It’s hard to tell from photos if that’s the case or not. Hope he is doing better!

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Originally Posted by Tashahaven

How is your little guys leg now? Do you think he broke his leg? It’s hard to tell from photos if that’s the case or not. Hope he is doing better!

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Yes, I do think he broke it, but with him being so young, he tolerated me manipulating it. I can still feel the little bit of intent on the outer leg, but he is using the leg and paw 100%. No limp or gimp! So happy. He was place with a rehabber almost 1 week ago that has another squirrel about 3 weeks older than him. They get along great and will be able to be released together. He is just starting to open his eyes finally!

He is doing just great & I really appreciate you asking.

🥰❤️🥰

So happy to hear he made almost a complete recovery! AND even more so that you were able to find someone who can care for him and make sure he has a companion to be released with! (The hardest thing to do, and something we do as a result of feeling the DEEPEST love and caring for their well being!)

Thank you for updating us! I hope you stick around! More will inevitably find their way to you in the future. Big hearts, and genuine LOVE and respect for wildlife are magnetic and have a force field of their own to those in need.