Baby Flying Squirrel Help!

[wcotyjr]

My wife found a tiny baby flying squirrel the first week of September in the grass and we’ve been raising it ever since. He only weighs 23oz still and we’ve been feeding him the special squirrel formula, fruits, vegetables and added supplements. We’re not sure if he suffered an injury when we found him, if he’s developmentally stunted and was pushed out, or if we’re doing something wrong. We’ve had to trim his teeth several times because they were so long, but other than that he seems good and happy. He runs/hops around his cage, is very friendly and loves to be handled, but he doesn’t seem to be growing to an adult size. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

[wcotyjr]

He’s not 23oz, he’s 23 grams lol!!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

He’s not 23oz, he’s 23 grams lol!!

HaHa! At 23oz he'd need an airplane to fly!
StS

[TomahawkFlyers]

Just off the top of my head, this kid is a minimum of 120-150 days old. He needs to get on solid food. Vegetables are OK, fruit in small amounts. It is time to wean off of the formula. A couple of suggestions:

1. Solid squirrel-appropriate block. Henry's Health Pets carries them, and they carry the whey protein and vitamin packs that you need to make your own if you are so inclined. It is essential to get your kid on these blocks now - the formula provided the appropriate nutrition for an infant, but is insufficient for a teen/adult squirrel - flyer or otherwise.

2. Your squirrel needs things to chew on to keep his teeth at the right size. Apple branches are a big hit around here.

3. While shelled nuts are really only for treats (rare treats) tree nuts in the shell (Hazelnuts and Almonds are great for little guys) are excellent for chewing and keeping the teeth healthy and the right length.

Your little guy is very hungry, and he needs good solids to be really happy and healthy. Imagine dreaming of a giant cheeseburger with fried onions and only ever getting carrots and milk. He will undoubtedly gain considerable weight with a solids diet. Here is a recipe for making your own block. If you can find Teklad 2018 (or 2014 if 2018 is not available) rodent food at your pet store or agricultural supply store (think Tractor Supply or Farm and Fleet) while you're waiting for Henry's materials to arrive, your little guy will be a very, very happy camper.

Squirrel Block Recipe
Squirrel Refuge Version

Preheat oven to 205 degrees Fahrenheit
Prep time 25 Minutes, Bake time 90 Minutes

Ingredients:
· 3 cups nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, filberts, or a mix of these. Mixing Pecans and Walnuts with one of the other nuts ensures balanced Vitamin E.)
· 150 grams or 1/3 bag Henry’s Healthy Protein powder
· 3 Large Eggs
· 2/3 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
· 2 tsp Vanilla
· 2 tsp Aluminum-Free Baking Powder
· 1 to 2 Tbs water
· 33 grams or 1/3 bag Henry’s Vita-mins

Required Recipe Tools
· Grinder or food processor to finely grind nuts
· Electric Mixer (standing mixer works great with the bread hook)
· Gram scale and or measuring cup
· Rolling Pin
· Plastic sheet or pastry cloth (preferred) or oiled surface
· Parchment paper (preferred) or lightly greased cooking sheet
· Pizza cutter (preferred) or sharp knife

Preparation
1. In bowl number 1, measure out whey protein and set aside.
2. In bowl number 2, break open the three eggs and add vanilla.
3. In bowl number 3, add the baking powder and Vita-mins.
4. Grind the nuts as finely as possible (without turning into nut butter).
5. In bowl number 4, add whole wheat flour and ground nuts.

Mixing
5. Place the contents of bowl number 2 into the mixer and mix on medium-high speed until eggs and vanilla are thoroughly combined.
6. Add the contents of bowl number 3 into the mixer.
7. Mix medium-high speed, scraping the sides as needed, until smooth.
Note: the baking powder will begin to bubble when added to the wet ingredients and tend to clot until fully combined.
8. Add the contents of bowl number 1 to the mixer and mix on medium speed until mixed well and fairly smooth. Mixture should be sticky.
9. Slowly add the contents of bowl number 4 to the mixer, mix on low speed, scraping the sides. The mixture will be dry. If too dry, add a small amount of water.

Rolling
10. Roll out dough to 1/3” to 1/2” inch thick and shape into rectangle with your hands. The dough is very thick and somewhat stiff. You did it right if the dough is difficult to roll and shape!
11. Place the dough on parchment paper or lightly greased baking sheet. Tip: Roll it out on a plastic sheet so it easily transfers to the baking sheet.

Baking
12. Bake in oven at 205 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes. The low baking temperature helps keep the vitamin and mineral chemical structure intact making a healthier block.
13. When done, remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
14. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife cut lengthwise 1/2 to 3/4 in apart.
15. After making all lengthwise cuts, turn and cut crosswise until small cubes are formed.
16. After cutting, let cool for two hours.
17. Place on a paper towel to help absorb additional nut oils, if desired.
Storage
18. Once completely cool, place block in bag or closed container in the refrigerator (lasts for two to three weeks) or the freezer for longer storage.

It is good that you have asked. Thank you for caring about your little guy.

Jamie

[wcotyjr]

The issue is, he doesn’t eat solids. We have fruits, veggies and have tried worms also, but he doesn’t seem to eat them or be able to eat them. He doesn’t make any sound either, other than little squeaks when we try to get sticky off him. He does drink water and the formula we leave in his cage for him, but I know he’s supposed to be bigger!

[CritterMom]

Can you take more pics of him with his fur dry?

[Mel1959]

Could this be a dwarf flyer?

How does he act in general? Is he able to run around the cage? Flyers are quite fast…is he fast?

What formula did you feed him when you got him? Will he take formula now?

[TomahawkFlyers]

OK, lots of possibilities here. We need to share more specific information in order to narrow things down. Dwarfism is a certainly a possibility. It is a thyroid condition, and first zeroing in on nutrition may give us more "bang for our buck" on a diagnosis. It will also help confirm or rule out thyroid concerns if the nutrition route doesn't get your little guy where he needs to be.

So, please help us.

• What is the exact name of the formula you have been using?
  
  • At this point in his life, and given his weight, if formula is all he will take now, please use Fox Valley 20/50. Supplement that with Fox Valley Ultra Boost, which is formulated for weight gain. If you don't have access to Ultra Boost, Add small amounts of full-fat yogurt and whipping cream to the 20/50, and gradually ramp up the yogurt and whipping cream in subsequent feedings. It is essential that your squirrel transitions to solid food. The Henry's Healthy Blocks (try "Picky Blocks") are your very best bet for getting your squirrel to make this transition. Just as with the yogurt and whipping cream, go slow with the block. A little to start, and ramp it up at each subsequent feeding. Once he gets going on those, he'll eat like a 17-year old child after football practice.
  
  
• You mentioned trimming his teeth. How was this trimming carried out? Is there any sign of chipped teeth or exposed nerves?
  
  • If the trimming caused any issues, a little children's Ibuprofen will help a lot. Slip it into his formula. Get his weight to us and we will PM you the correct dosage. Generic is fine, but be careful to not use a different type of pain reliever. You shouldn't have to trim - solid foods and things to chew on (branches, a sparing amount of Hazelnuts and Almonds in the shell, a cuttle bone from the pet store, etc.) should be all he needs to keep his teeth in top shape.
  
  
• It will be enormously helpful to have current pictures of your squirrel. He needs to be dry and look as he normally does. I'd like to see his eyes and the teeth that have been trimmed. Again, please be specific with all the information you share with us. We want your squirrel to be well, and for you to no longer be worried. We look forward to hearing from you. By the way, of all the dozens of flyers I've cared for, the only time I've heard much out of them is when they alert for nearby danger and when they're annoyed. It is not abnormal for your squirrel to be mostly silent.

Jamie

[wcotyjr]

Can you take more pics of him with his fur dry?

Those are pics with dry fur lol! He had lost almost all of the hair on his head last month, but it has since grown back.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Looking forward to your answers so we can help!

Can we start with a weight so we can give you information on Ibuprofen dosing?

Jamie