do 2-3 week old baby squirrels need sugar water in between formula feedings?
do 2-3 week old baby squirrels need sugar water in between formula feedings?
Not necessarily. Are they showing signs of dehydration? Too much sugar can also cause dehydration and loose stool.
Not familiar with their story.
Are they taking formula readily? Are they peeing at each feeding? Is the pee dark in color or very strong in odor?
What formula do you have them on and what strength is the formula (are you diluting it with extra water)?
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I just started mixing Esbalic with FV 32/40. I use one part Esbalic with 2 parts water and one part FV with two parts water. They don't pee at EVERY feeding, but almost. Very good poop. I only have them since Wednesday. I just got a digital scale today and Nuts (girl) weighs 32g and Columbus (boy) weighs 40g. They haven't gained weight since Wednesday though, which I think they should, no? I had them on Esbalic Wednesday/Thursday.
I fed them every 2-3 hours the first 2 days, but someone here said to not feed them more than every 4 hours when they get FV. So i'm feeding them at 6:30am, 10:30am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm, 10:30pm, 2:30am right now. First 1cc syringe goes rather quick, but they aren't all that eager for #2...which takes a while for them to finish.Nuts (32g girl) usually eats 1.5 syringes.
If you just got a scale today how do you know that they have not gained weight since Wednesday?
Also, I cannot really comment on the Esbilac, I do not use it. It is my understanding that the mixing of the Esbilac and FV was to circumvent issues with FV in NEONATES (those less than 10-14 days old).
I also cannot comment on how often to feed when mixing the formulas....again, I do not mix them, as I've never had a need too.
If the pee is clear and has little to no odor and they are pooping good poops (not too soft and not too hard) I personally would not do the water in between feedings.
Are you making sure the formula is staying warm enough for the second syringe? Are you also keeping the baby warm while feeding? If either get too cool they will not want to eat.
When I am feeding and they start rejecting the formula, I nuke it for 5 seconds (the formula) and try again. More times than not the babies take it very willingly.
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Are you using the Esbilac with probiotics?
Sometimes little squirrels will stop eating, because they
want to be stimulated. Try stimulating and then feeding again.
That will sometimes do the trick too.
The hot water bath has never worked for me either; however, I do know many that do it that way with much success. I end up with cold water and cold formula all over the place. I think I have a mental block to it.
I use the microwave initially and then a coffee warmer. My coffee warmer has an auto-shut off so if I'm feeding a whole crew or a very slow eater sometimes I have to re-nuke for a couple seconds.
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yes, thank you, i saw that. hopefully they will be gaining weight soon.