Transitioning formulas

[Danie]

I have 2 4-week old eastern grey squirrels. They were orphaned a week ago. I have been feeding them the homemade goats milk recipe, however, 3 days ago I started to transition to FV 20/50. The girl, Willow, opened both eyes yesterday. She weighs 180 grams as of the morning. The boy, Oak, is noticeably smaller. His eyes are still closed, and he weighed 160 grams this morning.

At 3:30 am, they received 3ccs 25 Gm/75 FV. Both had normal BMS. At 7:00 am, the same but Oak did not have BM. At 10:30 am, 100% FV, and I noticed that Oak was not as interested and only finished 2.5 ccs. An hour later, Oak had loose BM. It wasn’t watery but definitely not as firm as to be expected. I gave him a little bit of yogurt and have been keeping an eye. No more BMs so far.

Their next feeding is in less than an hour. How should I proceed? I have both GM formula and FV on hand. Should I continue with FV and mix with water/sugar/salt combo?

[Mel1959]

Did you begin your transition with 75% GM and 25% FV? I’d go back to 50/50 combo for a couple of days and see how he does. You never mix formula with any type of rehydration solution. One is nourishment the other is hydration. You can hydrate him BETWEEN feedings with the homemade solution, but not in place of a feeding.

[Danie]

Did you begin your transition with 75% GM and 25% FV? I’d go back to 50/50 combo for a couple of days and see how he does. You never mix formula with any type of rehydration solution. One is nourishment the other is hydration. You can hydrate him BETWEEN feedings with the homemade solution, but not in place of a feeding.

No, I followed recommendations from this board. I did 75/25 for 3 feedings, 50/50 for 3 feedings, 25/75 for 4 feedings, then 100 FV.

Thanks! I will return to 50/50. And rehydrate between feedings. I have never mixed rehydration with formula but have read it somewhere as an optional - thank you the info!! I will never mix.