Indian Palm Squirrel - lethargic, not eating

[YK20]

We found 2 Indian palm squirrels 9 days ago. They are approximately 2-3 weeks old (their eyes just opened today), and both weigh 17g.

While one is thriving, the other suddenly became ill. It's very lethargic, weak, and refuses to eat. For now, I can only get it to take a few drops of homemade hydration solution (boiled water, sugar, and a pinch of salt).

While taking water it is making very loud clicking noises, but at other times I can't hear any sounds coming out - e.g. when it is sleeping even if I put the ear to it I can't hear anything.

It hasn't eaten the formula in 10-12 hours now. It is peeing and pooping normally. Warm to the touch. When moving around, it is not steady and looks shaky. When I try to feed it, it tends to burry deeper into the nest (box) and sleep.

I don't know any good vets in my area, and I'm concerned they might do more harm than good, as they usually only handle cats and dogs, not squirrels. It's still early morning here, and I might be able to visit a vet in 2-3 hours.

[YK20]

Moving around - slow and shaky
https://youtu.be/8imtILcUqoE

Sounds when eating (but no sounds when sleeping/resting)
https://youtu.be/Zgm86KV1CbM

[Charley Chuckles]

[YK20]

It seems to be doing better. It was willing to eat the formula, and ate the normal quantity, even though it was eating much slower than usual.
However, there were still clicking sounds during feeding and immediately after.

[Charley Chuckles]

I'm hoping some knowledgeable people here can see this and help 🙏

[SammysMom]

What formula are you feeding? How much are they eating and how often? Can you weigh them again? 17g doesn't really sound right when I look at the video.

[YK20]

What formula are you feeding? How much are they eating and how often? Can you weigh them again? 17g doesn't really sound right when I look at the video.

We are giving Lactol as suggested in another thread (Esbillac is not available in our location). Every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours during the night. I just checked the weight again, it is still 17g. His brother is 18g.

[YK20]

Now again it is refusing to take the formula, and even the rehydration solution (not opening the mouth). The condition hasn't improved, so we are taking him to the vet now and we will follow whatever the vet advises.

If anyone has any input before that, it will be hugely appreciated.

[YK20]

I tried feeding it again and to my surprise it ate almost 1ml of formula (which what it usually takes). It is obviously hungry, but for some reason reluctant to open the mouth. Maybe it has something to do with the teeth or lips? Also, when it does open the mouth it bites at the syringe really hard, which he never did before.

But it is slightly more lively and stronger, so I will probably not go to the vet today and will monitor the situation.

[CritterMom]

When they refuse food, try heating the formula a bit hotter. Babies in captivity seem to like heir "milk" quite a bit warmer than their real mama could deliver to them (?!)

[SammysMom]

Do you have babies on a heating pad? If they aren't very warm, they will refuse food. Is it possible to get Royal Canin Baby Dog powdered puppy formula?

[SammysMom]

I just spoke to my friend who rehabs palm squirrels. She understands how difficult it is to get supplies in India. If you are in FB, I can put you in touch with her just let me know how to contact you.
These are the instructions she gave.

[YK20]

Thank you all for your responses! Yes, we have a heating pad on, it's under one half of the nest, so they can crawl to the other side if it gets too hot.

I will try to heat the formula more. I was always concerned that it would burn their mouth, so I was always heating it just barely above my body temperature.

However, I would like to point out that we have two baby squirrels from the same nest. Both are getting exactly the same treatment, but only one is having these issues. The stronger one is doing well now, but the other one still refuses to eat and eats very little when it does. It's only gaining around 1g per day, and is behind its brother (19g against 21g). They were always the same weight before. So I think the weaker one is still undereating because of some condition that needs to be treated.

[Mel1959]

Do you still hear clicking if you hold it up to your ear like a phone? If so, it will need an antibiotic. Please list the antibiotics you can access and the strength.

[YK20]

Sorry for disappearing - last few days were crazy. Thankfully, after my previous message the kit quickly recovered. There are no sounds anymore, it is very active, eating with good appetite and gains weight quickly. Both kits already have bottom and top front teeth! I might have more questions in the future, but hopefully not in the emergency thread. Thanks everyone for your contribution!

[Chirps]

Thanks for the update! Was so happy to read that. If you're interested, you could start a thread about them in the breed specific forum. We LOOOOOVE pics! Especially your little cuteys that we don't see much.