Originally Posted by
CritterLover
Hi yall. I am in a Southern State, and when I reached out, was advised that here in this State....rehabbers are not helpful, and/or hard to find here...So, I researched. Found this site most helpful and reliable.
New to site but not to life/raising critters - but this is first time baby squirrel has survived this long. Unfortunately, most times, they are near death from injury when I get them....and/or..., I just put them back and momma comes to get them. but....LadyKarma has/had other plans.
I have a few questions and need some guidance from the gurus
BSquirrel Eastern Grey..yet to be named has been w/ me one week and one day today. I found him 7.28 writhing around on my sideswalk. I was in and out making water changes for tanks and he just appeared. No momma near. No nest with any activity. I live in rural area and squirrels are numerous, or have been until this year, but we have a couple hawks that have discovered our habitat is rich. We have surmised, this one must have been dropped..still not sure. Tried a couple days to leave him out, but honestly, I only saw one pair of squirrels running around on back of property.
I estimate he is now about 3 weeks old. Eyes not yet open. He has been hovering at 30 grams and I am getting concerned he is not gaining.
However, just last day or so, his appetite has increased and he is eating 1.2 to 1.8cc at each meal and I feed every 3.5 to 4 hours 0700 to 0100. He seems to be getting into a routine. Me2. So0 far so good, here....
I am currently feeding HGM/Goats Milk formula as I was waiting on the FoxValley order. Then I read where IslandRehabber suggested using ultraboost, so i ordered some and it came yesterday. I have also read NOT to feed FV32/40. I do use Ultra Boost as an additive to Esbilac for the first 4 weeks, or until eyes open. If your baby is not gaining weight at least 1 gram per day, you may want to switch to the Esbilac 3parts with 1 part Ultra Boost added. It has worked wonderfully for me with pinks.
My ?? are:
1. Which nipples are best for eastern grey pinkies? I ordered Xuanda Pet Feeding Bottle and Syringes with Nipples for Small Cat Dog Animals (Model 1) from Amazon, but not too impressed w/ the O-Rings and he seems to be doing just OK w/those nipples)
I tried the long silicon nipples but he seems to be unable to manage them and seems they go really to far down his throat.
Any nipples that work for y'all raising pinkie EGreys - send me link/PM or whatever and I will purchase same.
Or instruct me on these long silicon nipples - perhaps I am not feeding correctly. The long nipples are too long for pinkies. You want to use the Miracle Mini sized nipple.
2. Is he still too young for FV20/50 + FV Booster? I wouldn't switch him to that for another week.
3. Should I just add some booster to his GoastMilkFormula and give him another week? on that? I've never done that....maybe someone else will comment.
4. If he is old enough - How do I convert him from ....the GMF now to.... FV formula 20/50+Booster?
5. Has anyone found the temps the little easter greys prefer? I was told in beginning by somene on trusted website that heat formula to 100 degrees. He/mine prefers more along 140 to 150 degrees....Any body else got numbers? The younger the baby the hotter they like it, I have found. But if your little guy eats better when it's hot, let him!
and the heat pad?....He seems to be better right now at 89 to 95 degrees F, but he's also crawled out and gotten to the very bottom where it was over 105... Right now,, he is wrapped in Minky and Flannel and sleeping in box @ 94degreesF. Remember that mamma's body is about 100 -102* and he would normally be right up against her for most of the day and night. Try to approximate that.
that's all I can think of right now. Hope I helped!
many many thanks for your patience, understanding and help.
i am grateful and so is the LittlePrinceYettoBeNamed,
MC
I tried to attach pics...we shall see