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Thread: Little Willow's thread

  1. #1
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    Default Little Willow's thread

    I picked this little girl up from a man yesterday that found her walking across the road, toward a drooling dog. She has unique facial features and short limbs, she sleeps almost all of the time (and she sleeps HARD), and the only things I have found that she will take willingly are pedialyte, and Mazuri monkey chow. I can get a little bit of Esbilac with walnut infused water in her, but she doesn't really like it. She hasn't pooped yet, and she is a bit on the thin side. I can't find my "good" scale, but she seems to be a bit over 100g.

    Last edited by Nancy in New York; 03-22-2015 at 10:41 PM.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    OMG!!! That is one of the cutest little ones I have ever seen! I will direct someone who is experienced with downs babies here.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Thank you and sorry the second pic is upside down. I have no idea why it did that.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?


  5. #5
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    These little ones have very specific requirements.
    For one thing, I know they cannot regulate their body temp. so you have to always keep them on a heating pad set on low.
    I'm sure that SammysMom also contacted Chickenlegs, she had a little one Kensington who looked just like this little one. She can help you out a lot I'm sure.
    Are you home with this little one, or do you work. They can be very clingy and LOVE to be with their "mama"

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Oh sorry just thought of another thing.
    They don't seem to be able to hold onto things too well.
    So please keep him low (on lap or someplace where no fall is possible) and not on your arm. We don't want him falling off, and injuring himself.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Yes Nancy and SammysMom.....this sure looks like a dwarf and yes....he will need to always be on heat...or you and you will have to become very creative with his feeding....and hydration....they just don't regulate their intake another definite sign will be his paws....they feel very slight...no grip...and no balance. Kensi couldn't feed himself like a regular squirrel until he was much older...and then not very well, he learned to compensate
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Quote Originally Posted by lgyure85 View Post
    Thank you and sorry the second pic is upside down. I have no idea why it did that.

    Here you go!

    Name:  20150321_180412.jpg
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Wow.I just wonder how she made it this far in life. What a lucky squirrel that you crossed paths.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    OHMYGOD! You have been blessed. Prepare for your heart to break as they are short lived but oh the life in those months. Please read Kensington's thread. I tried to document as much as possible so when someone else was gifted with one of these angles they might benefit. Hold her carefully always. It's easy for them to fall and they have no fear. She won't see edges and if she tumbles she'll land hard. Give her little bits of food frequently and keep her hydrated. I insisted Kensi take a little formula but he wasn't cooperative so it was a ml here, a ml there. I kind of wish I'd offered Kensington baby food with some crushed block in it early on. He was with me literally 24/7. He did have a little cage with fleece ramps in it, a pouch and a cube just his size and a padded cushion on the bottom as he was a klutz. He slept in his cage in the pouch with a heating pad clipped to the side of the cage. Believe me if I wern't worried about him snuggling up under me and suffocating he would have slept with me too. He craved comfort--a warm body next to his. I put him in a cage I'd put toys in so he'd get some exercise but when I came for him he looked through the bars with such sad eyes. He slept a lot so I made sure to run my errands when he was asleep. These guys attach themselves to you and it hurts them to be left alone for long periods of time--at least I think it hurt Kensi. I don't see how anyone could hold a job and do right by a downs baby. She will age fast so make sure to play with her a LOT while she's young. It'll help with muscle tone and overall health as she ages. Please PM me if you have any questions I might help you with. I love all of my babies but I think there is no love like the love I have (not had) for Kensington. These sweethearts are some of God's choicest blessings! Oh--when I got Kensington he looked to be about 6 weeks old sizewise but I'm sure was much older. He never got much bigger. He was a chub with little short stubby legs and a short tail that curled just right.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    oh my goodness what a precious little one! She has the classic features of a dwarf squirrel, or "Downs" as it's sometimes called. Chickenlegs will definitely be someone who can help you out tremendously. One thing I would caution you about: a few people, including myself, have seen adverse reactions in neurological squirrels due to the Zupreem monkey biscuits. Please be careful to watch whether your little one is getting a reaction to them, especially anything resembling a seizure.
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Quote Originally Posted by lgyure85 View Post
    I picked this little girl up from a man yesterday that found her walking across the road, toward a drooling dog. She has unique facial features and short limbs, she sleeps almost all of the time (and she sleeps HARD), and the only things I have found that she will take willingly are pedialyte, and Mazuri monkey chow. I can get a little bit of Esbilac with walnut infused water in her, but she doesn't really like it. She hasn't pooped yet, and she is a bit on the thin side. I can't find my "good" scale, but she seems to be a bit over 100g.

    She is absolutely adorable
    Have a question, do you plan on keeping and raising her I have a very dear friend/vet doctor here in Florida who had a dwarf, and so really wants another
    If you do decide to re-home her I can guarantee she will have the best of care, which goes along with a dwarf, medical necessities
    Please PM me if you decide to do that ....thank you
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Yes, Dr, Emerson loves these special little ones but she is far away here in Florida. Chickenlegs is just up the road in Virginia. They do take special and constant care, "special needs" just like with people. I can't see any surviving in the wild.
    Anne
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Please let me know what you need to care for your miracle. And in the event you can't give her the care she needs to live her brief but blessed life let me know. In the meantime. Love that baby with all your heart. That's what she will give to you unconditionally.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Luckily I am able to take her just about everywhere with me. I do have her either on heat, or in my shirt at all times I may even be able to write a case-study on this condition for the NWRA.

    I am concerned because the only thing I can get her to take voluntarily is pedialyte, though she will take it 50/50 with water. I have tried the following foods/formulas with little-no luck: esbilac powder, esbilac canned, fox valley, all formulas mixed with both walnut infused water and applesauce, applesauce alone, softened monkey chow, softened rodent block, softened dog food, peanut butter, almond butter, raspberries, broccoli, walnuts, carrots, and cheerios. Everything I tried softened I tried hard, too. Any other ideas? She hasn't pooped since I've had her, either (48ish hours).

    Thank you all so much. I pinky promise she will be thoroughly spoiled, and I will post many pictures

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

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  17. Serious fuzzy thank you's to lgyure85 from:

    KarmaKay (02-21-2017)

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    If you go to VA to see Chickenlegs, I want to go too! I'm glad I found your thread; otherwise I'd miss out on these pics! Adorable!!

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    How about Ensure? Sometimes the sweet will do it.

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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Good idea! I'll run out and get some in the morning.

  21. #20
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    Default Re: Any suggestions on guessing age in a "downs" squirrel?

    Quote Originally Posted by CritterMom View Post
    How about Ensure? Sometimes the sweet will do it.
    Yep! Try the pecan and/or the vanilla flavored ensure. You can also get Pediasure Sidekicks that are clear, but have calories. They are a very temporary fix, but better that just hydration.

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