Island Rehabber
NY State Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator
"Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
Michelangelo
*
If you can't afford the vet,
You can't afford a pet.
NEGLECT IS ABUSE.
"Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."
'...and the greatest of these, is Love. '
So glad to see Skittles has his own thread.
But it is no good without an update and daily pictures. Hope he is surpassing all your expectations!
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
We need an update on Skittles. Pics would be great also.
redwuff (09-22-2021)
Ditto
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
Sorry for the delay in updating. I tried thrice since Saturday and lost all my work each time.
Skittles is doing GREAT! I am so grateful to redwuff and HRT4SQRLS for your great advice.
I'm now using the GMF formula, new nipples and a 1ml o-ring syringe (he's too strong now for the miracle nipple and 3ml I'd been using and started aspirating all. the. time!). Thanks redwuff for that advice, it's working out great. He hasn't aspirated at all since switching. I'm watching and listening for sings of AP and am ready with medication but thankfully no signs yet.
He's now 30g (he was about 19g last Thursday when I found this forum!). Here are some pictures. He's SO CUTE!!
Day 1 - about 3 days old?
Day 10 - about 13 days old
Day 14 - about 17 days old (The day I found forum)
More pics...
Day 15 - about 18 days old (day after starting GMF)
Day 16 - about 19 days old (two days on GMF)
Day 17 - about 20 days old (caught this during a yawn, look at those bottom teeth!!)
Day 20 - about 23 days old (Today. Been on GMF 6 days. It's SO hard to get a clear picture, he's so squirmy!)
Now that’s what I’m takin’ about.
I’m sure redwuff will help you start transitioning to FV20:50 soon.
I’m so glad she was here to help with Skittles. I didn’t feel at all qualified to advise on formula for a baby so compromised. He wouldn’t have survived much longer and you needed experienced help with your little pinkie. I am glad you found TSB when you did. Your instincts were right on target. You are doing an outstanding job with baby Skittles and he is totally adorable.
I would be willing to bet that you have never pours so much heart, passion, love and effort into another living being. They sorta do that to us.
redwuff (09-22-2021)
Thank you HRT4SQRLS for the words of encouragement! Redwuff has been an absolute GODSEND through this and he is thriving now only because I listened to all her awesome advice. Yes, she has already prepped me for how/when to start transitioning him on FV 20/50. I can't wait to see how quickly he grows then!
I've been Blessed with three amazing kids, one angel baby, and now a precious little squirrel baby as well. My cup runneth over!
redwuff (09-22-2021)
Thank you for updating. All I can say isW.O.W.
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
Skittles is doing well. He’s 37g and getting a fuzzy tail and white belly. He unpinned his ears today too which is so cute.
He loves the new Catac nipples that redwuff recommended.
“Thanks Aunt Redwuff!”
Is it time to start adding 20/50?
Just adorable!
What a cutie patootie. He is so photogenic!
Weight has been steadily increasing. Yay!
Any issues?
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
He is photogenic. Yes he’s gained between one and three grams a day without exception since starting GMF. I have been feeding every three hours but didn’t feed overnight last night as he had hit 35g. I plan to transition him to every four hours when he starts getting 20/50.
Unless excessive cuteness is an ‘issue’ I’d say no. He’s peeing, pooping, active and gaining weight. No lethargy or fussiness though he’s definitely squirmy!
Oh, and he shakes his tail really fast when I’m about to feed him. I take this as being excited, like a dog. I assume this is normal? It’s really cute.
We love when their tail wags them! He looks really good. I know you are on cloud nine with the gains little Skittles has made. You have learned a lot with this guy.
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
Skittles (09-25-2021)
Hey time for another skittles update. How is our little man doing?
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
He gets bigger by the minute and cuter too! He’s up to 44g as if this morning and has two more feedings at 75% 20:50 before he’s fully switched. He loves it and he’s gaining weight faster than before.
How cute is that!
He looks SO much better. You’re doing a great job mom.
Skittles (09-28-2021)
He does look really good. Thank you for the update. And of course the picture of the sweetest boy ever .
redwuff
State Licensed
Master Wildlife Rehabilitator
Skittles (09-28-2021)
About 5 days ago Skittles started getting fussy at mealtime and not wanting to eat. With the help of redwuff, I got him on an antibiotic for AP and also adjusted his feeding schedule to every fours hours and went down to 5% from 7% to allow more time for him to digest the new formula. He has responded so well! By the next morning he was hungry as ever and I slowly moved him back up to 7% because he still seems ravenous when he was done at the lower levels. So far he seems to be doing great with that.
He is now 61g and his tail is getting so fuzzy, his feet are HUGE as are his whiskers and he looks so much like a squirrel now. He’s SO active now. It’s hard to get him the nipple sometimes he’s so all over the place. He’s also walking so much better and faster!