Ok to use expired Fox Valley?

[DavidDane]

Hey guys,

I just rescued two baby grey squirrels after the hurricane. They are about a week old I think. I have expired 2019 Fox Valley 32/40 that's been in my freezer. It smells normal, like fresh formula would. I also have new 20/50 formula. Which should I use until I get some new 32/40? I already did one feeding of the 32/40 after hydrating because they needed to eat. Let me know what would be best, Thanks!

[DavidDane]

Update; I read some warnings about using Fox Valley 32/40 on Pinky's. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, but for now I made them the homemade goat milk formula listed on Henry's pets. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've never raised one from this young of an age.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Update; I read some warnings about using Fox Valley 32/40 on Pinky's. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, but for now I made them the homemade goat milk formula listed on Henry's pets. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've never raised one from this young of an age.

I am no where close to a Pinky specialist. Hopefully someone with Pinkie expertise will post to your thread, David. BUT, I did want to mention that based upon a number of tragic reports concerning 32/40 hardening in the stomach and some of these occurrences resulting in death, you are quite correct in NOT using the 32/40 even if it wasn't expired! Please go to Henry's website for some very good, all in one place, Pinkie care information
( https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/ ).

Your babies should ideally be in in a plastic container with fleece or flannel and be kept warm with an always-on heating pad placed UNDER half of the plastic container so the Squirrels can move on or to the edge of the warm region as desired. At this age they are unable to regulate and maintain their body temperatures.

Your babies should be warmed and be warm before starting the formula! Warming first! Most likely under the circumstances you mentioned, your babies are at least somewhat dehydrated and they should be rehydrated using Henry's suggestions. Lack of mother's milk and being exposed causes loss of water which is dehydration but there is very little loss of electrolytes such as sodium and for rehydration, physiologically speaking, Henry's has great advice and that is to use essentially warmed plain water with a tiny amount of some sort of sweetener to enhance palatability.

The GMF you are using is good and I would suggest ordering Esbilac Powdered Puppy Milk Formula to use until you are able to transition to FV 20/50 at 4 weeks. They will need to be stimulated to pee and poop. One thing regarding the GMF ion Henry's is their inclusion of raw egg yolk. My suggestion would be to NOT use the egg yolk because even though there is usually minimal risk, there is still a risk of getting Salmonella from raw eggs which can cause a profound diarrhea and loss of water and electrolytes!

I hope this can be of some help to you until a "Pinkier" member can get with you! (By the way, how is Rocket doing?)

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Spanky]

The GMF you are using is good and I would suggest ordering Esbilac Powdered Puppy Milk Formula to use until you are able to transition to FV 20/50 at 4 weeks.

I recommend that the homemade goats milk formula is treated as a temporary formula until you can obtain some Esbilac (powdered) puppy formula. At 3 - 3.5 weeks I suggest you transition to a combination of half Esbilac and half Fox Valley 20/50 and continue this until wean, this is my personal preference. Many switch to 100% FV 20/50 after 4 weeks, which is fine, but I have my bias for the half-n-half mix.

[Tiniest]

Howdy, I’ve been raising up a pinky from a week old to nearly 7 weeks. Initially I started her on powdered esbilac mixed with whole fat vanilla yogurt and a splash of heavy cream. At 4 weeks I added in 20/50 and ultraboost. She was 14grams initially and today is 158. I hope this helps!

[DavidDane]

Thanks for the replies everyone 😊 I've been feeding them the homemade goat milk formula every 2 hours until I can get the esiblac, and they are doing great. Already have the Fox Valley 20/50 for when they get 4 weeks. Did Fox Valley not fix their 32/40 formula?