Hurricane pinkie. Supplies low/limited. Don't know what to do.

[Vee]

Hello, my neighbor gave me a pinkie grey squirrel. Probably about a week old? They gave him to me because I have the most minimal amount of experience with baby squirrels. I had only temporarily taken care of one years ago and then gave her to a rehabber. Now, I'm not sure that's possible as we were ravaged by Hurricane Helene. Most stores are closed and my supplies are limited. I'm having to use either what's in the house or what I can salvage from what little stores are open, and a lot of them have long lines where I would have to wait there all day just to get in. There is no power anywhere. We just recieved a generator last night but gas is limited and gas stations are overloaded so power is not a guarantee.

I've been making due with a plastic syringe found in the house and I managed to find a store with kitten milk replacer (powdered) available and I have a jar of that. Originally I was using goat's milk powder but that's about to run out. Before I did, I made a mixture of the kitten and goat's milk for transition. I have been using hot water bottles under a towel for warmth.

He was doing ok in the beginning but I think he got dehydrated a bit and he became bloated I believe. I don't know what to do for that. There is no vet available as everything is shut down. Can't travel far. I don't know any rehabbers in the area. I can barely call out because service is awful.

If anyone can help me, that'd be great. I've been really stressed and this just adds on top of everything. Anything to make it easier.

[Spanky]

What part of Georgia are you located?

Here is a 6 page primer at Henry's that has good information on caring for baby squirrels if you have not found this yet. There is also list a temporary goat's milk formula that can be made from grocery store supplies but I strongly suggest you NOT add the egg yolk. I listed a version below sans egg yolk.... you can use this for a week or two under these storm circumstances.
https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/

Goat's milk formula:

3 parts goat’s milk*
1 part heavy whipping cream
1 part vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

If you can order some Esbilac puppy milk replacer (the powdered version) and / or some Fox Valley 20/50 hopefully it can be delivered within a week or 2.

Kitten milk replacer is more likely than not to be a disaster as it is the wrong kind of protein and the wrong combination of nutrients. Kittens are carnivores and squirrels vegetarians for the most part. Even almost all of the puppy formulas don't meet a baby squirrel's needs and can result in diarrhea bloat, etc. If the kitten powder formula was previously opened and not stored in teh freezer (or at least the fridge) it has likely become rancid and will be too hard on a baby squirrel's system.

As far as bloat, diarrhea and other GI issues... that can easily be caused by the kitten formula. First, never feed a bloated baby. Infants Gas X (simethicone) can be very helpful eliminating the gas.

Another cause for bloat is failing to stimulate to potty regularly (before and after each feeding). Feeding too frequently... putting fresh formula on top of a lot of formula still still in the stomach.. can cause bloat.

I suggest giving small amounts of water (like 1/2ml) every half hour for a while waiting for the hydration to return and bloat to go away before giving any more formula.

[Vee]

I'm in Augusta.

We have no power and therefore no refrigeration so I can't use any of that. No stores are selling any refrigerated items..No eggs and no yogurt. All the items in my fridge are bad.

Not sure if I can find Gas X but I can try.

I'd have to see how long the shipment will take. If I can't use the kitten replacer and the shipment takes that long then I'll have no food for him.

[Spanky]

You can buy goat's milk in a powdered version, look (I think?) in the baking aisle. Mix it according to the label directions. Esbilac is usually available at Tractor Supply stores.

I'd go ahead and order the formula (Henry's sells Fox Valley 20/50) and see what happens... I literally found an Amazon box on my porch Saturday morning when there was zero power here, trees across the road and only 30 minutes after I cleared the trees across my driveway. I literally thought someone was paying a joke on me... I went down the road and joined in with neighbors clearing the trees from the road... No one had any idea how I could have gotten an Amazon delivery (we are pretty darn remote).

[Vee]

Sorry I haven't had much sleep. Do I get one or the other, or both? The goats milk and Esbilac?

And I looked about the shipment of Fox Valley and it'll take until the 4th. It's just the Esbilac that's at Tractor Supply right? That's where I got the kitten formula. Dang, I could have gotten that.

Also before I go any further, does any of this need refrigeration in the powdered form? I can make it the mixture per feeding but if the powder needs refrigeration, I don't know what to do about that.

[Spanky]

Sorry I haven't had much sleep. Do I get one or the other, or both? The goats milk and Esbilac?

My first choice would be to use the homemade goat's milk formula until the Fox Valley 20/50 arrived. BUT if you have no way of storing the whipping cream and yogurt components, I would suggest getting the Esbilac. You'll want to try to store this is a cool place... the coolest place you can store it until the power is restored.

And even if you got the powdered goat's milk AND the Esbilac, I think I would combine those for a while until she is 2.5 - 3 weeks old or so.

What I use starting at 3.5 weeks is a mix of half Esbilac and half Fox Valley 20/50. I mention this so you know that should you end up with both, you can use them both.

And I looked about the shipment of Fox Valley and it'll take until the 4th.

I would order the Fox Valley right away, even though the 4th is estimated, don't be surprised if it arrives a day or 2 earlier than that...

Also before I go any further, does any of this need refrigeration in the powdered form? I can make it the mixture per feeding but if the powder needs refrigeration, I don't know what to do about that.

Despite what the label reads, it has been TSB's collective experience that the powdered formulas (pretty much all of them) WILL go rancid if stored at room temperature after opening. It may not *always*, but it happens enough (probably variations in "room temperature", humidity, etc.) that we ALWAYS recommend storing opened formula powder in the freezer (the fridge is the minimum).

[Vee]

Ok, thanks so much for your help!

About the bloat/dehydration; is it just water? Like, tap water? I was reading about a soak in warm water but he's so small and curls up/wriggles about so much Im afraid he'll dip his head under so Im unsure if that's something I should do at his age.

[Spanky]

Ok, thanks so much for your help!

About the bloat/dehydration; is it just water? Like, tap water? I was reading about a soak in warm water but he's so small and curls up/wriggles about so much Im afraid he'll dip his head under so Im unsure if that's something I should do at his age.

Yes, just small amounts of plain water. Warm it up very well, almost hot. If he is fussy about plain water, add just a little bit of molasses, honey, syrup or sugar (my order of preference) to entice him. But using very warm, almost hot water is the real trick.

Warm water baths are usually for constipation and bloat is something different. Is his "bloated" belly hard like an air-filled balloon or squishy like a water filled balloon?

Has he been pooing and peeing regularly since you started caring for him?

[Vee]

Gotcha! Thank you for the info! I do have honey. He does seem less enthusiastic about just water so I'll try that.

I suppose it is squishy. I'm not feeling any hardness.

I've stimulated after every feeding and he has until the bloating started. I managed to get something yellow out just now when I massaged his belly a bit with a warm wet tissue paper.

[Spanky]

Gotcha! Thank you for the info! I do have honey. He does seem less enthusiastic about just water so I'll try that.

I suppose it is squishy. I'm not feeling any hardness.

I've stimulated after every feeding and he has until the bloating started. I managed to get something yellow out just now when I massaged his belly a bit with a warm wet tissue paper.

It would be my opinion that he is having a hard time with the kitten formula and that is causing the current problems. Giving honey water (just a little tiny bit pf honey) for a while (like half a day or more) to flush out the kitty formula will get him ready to get back on track.

[Vee]

It would be my opinion that he is having a hard time with the kitten formula and that is causing the current problems. Giving honey water (just a little tiny bit pf honey) for a while (like half a day or more) to flush out the kitty formula will get him ready to get back on track.

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate all the help! I'll for sure come back if anything else comes up.