Baby Squirrel has bloated belly

BLOAT ISSUE in belly treated with Infant gas x drops. Daisy was dropped off to us from a friend. Be sure to get a hold of a licensed squirrel rehabber for help. Daisy has clicking & seems to gasp which usually means as a rescue comes in they can get pneumonia from rain, cold weather or from somebody feeding a baby without a 1cc syringe with proper miracle small nipples. Babies will get fluid on lungs or suck air if not fed properly. Daisy went into an incubator & antibiotics were properly dosed then her feeding amount was cut back. Gas X 1 drop was administered. Daisy did make a full recovery but if u have a baby Please be sure to leave it up to a Squirrel Rehabber. These situations are life or death for these little helpless creatures.

[@JurajHynek]

Bloating is mostly caused by wrong feeding, not using 80 celsius of hot water when mixing milk replacer with water (solution). Shacking solution that put air into milk, not using spoon to mix solution (wooden or plastic better). When milk replacer (puppy replacer) is given baby squirrel need to be warm, hydrated (1 h before feeding with milk) and milk MUST be very warm (aprox. 38 celsius), not hot, not cold. Keep baby in warm blanket when feeding and head uncover and WATCH the syringe all the time, milk MUST NOT be around NOSE of baby squirrel and feeding must be very slow any milk outside of mouth and near by baby's nose is life danger situation. I alway prepare milk (1 scoop of puppy milk ponder and 2.5 parts of hot water) that was properly mixed and let rest in fridge for at least 8 hours. It’s better to rehydrate baby with pedialyte but only after baby is warm up. Rehydratation: The amount of rehydratation fluid should be 2.5 percent of the body weight and once baby is urinating then it is time to feed with milk that was resting in fridge at least for 2 hours but ideally for 8. The amount of milk is usually 5 % of baby body weight and baby should be feed (if eyes open) every 4 hours 5 times a day. But better to check with local Vets. I helped 18 baby squirrels and once milk is properly done and served the bloating or any other issue never happened.

[@anitadhiman7140]

My squirrel baby is also bloated.. he opened his eyes 2 days ago ..tell me what should I do.

[@JurajHynek]

What milk replacer did you use? Puppy (Good others are bad choices) or Kitten? Diary ? Human baby replacer ? Plant based milks ? If you can take baby squirrel to rehabber or to local Vet do it ASAP. if not read : Did you stimulate the baby before and after feeding? If not, that can also be a reason for bloating, as the baby did not remove waste from its body. A baby squirrel needs to be stimulated in the genital area using warm, wet cotton until it is 5 weeks old. If you prepared the milk formula (puppy replacer) with water that was less than 80-70 degrees Celsius, this is very likely the cause of bloating. Water at 80 degrees Celsius (hot water) must be used. Mix 1 part milk replacer (puppy replacer) with 2.5 parts hot water, using a spoon to mix (do not shake) to completely dissolve the milk replacer. Mix gently for 5 minutes, and once the milk has completely dissolved and is warm enough to feed, use 1 ml or a maximum of 3 ml syringes to feed slowly, very slowly. Keep the baby in a warm blanket so its body stays warm. The milk must be very warm but not hot. Test it on your lips; it must feel warm, not painfully hot, to avoid burning the baby and causing damage. If you shook the milk (in the bottle) and let air get into the milk, this is another reason for bloating. If the bottle was shaken, you must wait until the air escapes from the milk. Listen for a sparkling (cracking) sound coming from the milk. If you overfed the baby squirrel by feeding more than 5 percent of its body weight, this is another reason for the bloating (SKIP 1 or 2 FEEDINGS and massage genitals every 1 h or 2) If you did not hydrate the warm baby squirrel with a warm rehydration solution before feeding (40 min gap), this is another reason for the bloating. If you fed the cold baby squirrel with cold milk made by mixing 1 part milk replacer with 2.5 parts cold water (80 degrees Celsius) then this is another reason of bloating. If the baby squirrel is bloated, it means that its body is not able to digest the milk given. The possible solution is to skip a feeding and gently massage its genital area to promote digestion or help remove waste from its body. Possibly give warm (not hot) bath so his belly is in warm water (never head, never nos in water) and gently massage his belly by from top to bottom by on both sides by fingers, dry and keep baby warm. You can use baby gripe water (0.3 ml) and keep the baby in a warm and ventilated box. If no gripe water then use 0.4 ml of warm apple juice 2 times every 1 h (organic) without chemicals and additional additives. It will make baby poop. Apple juice can be given 2 (3) hours after last feeding. It will make baby poop. If apple juice or grape water (dont mix) worked give baby rest for 4 h and come here again. Let me know what is the situation and if something worked or you need more help. Good luck

[@anitadhiman7140]

@@JurajHynek I actually gave him cow milk. And I think he is 4 to 5 weeks old. His poop is hard. I don't know when to feed him and In which amount should I feed him milk.. And I think he is bloated because Of the feeding time. And also some one told me that squirrel drinks undiluted milk. I feed him undiluted. Do I have to feed him at night? How much should I feed him? And any other alternatives for Apple juice and gripe water?

[@JurajHynek]

@@anitadhiman7140 1. I am going to be honest with you, every website that advice how to feed baby squirrel highlights that baby squirrel cannot be fed by cow milk, 2. cow milk doesn't have enough protein, fats, vitamins and minerals for fast growing baby squirrel who grow much faster then baby cow, practically in days not months like baby cows. 3. This video actually contains solution in video description : Infant gas x drops, gripe baby water (0.1 ml or 0.2 ml) but I start to give 0.3ml or 0.5ml apple juice 2 hours after last feedings and if apple juice doesn't work then give Infant gas x drops, gripe baby water 2 hours after last apple juice or last milk (dependents what you gave). 4. Poops are hard because baby squirrel is dehydrated. 5. Baby squirrel that have eyes open need to be fed every 3.5 or 4 hours around clock (that means at the same times). They don't t have be fed during night if the last feeding is the same time like your time when you going sleep, So for example you go to bed at 00:00 so next feeding is 08:00 (morning) and then next feeding is 12:00 (4 hours later). 6. My replay to your message tells that baby squirrels should be fed quantify that match their 5 percent of their body weight so if baby squirrel is 100 grams then % percent is 0.05x100 = 5 ml milk and every 4 hours. Milk must be very warm but no hot, test on your skin or lips by drop one drop on your skin. 7. Because you are using caw milk then feedings should be more frequent so every 3 hours and 6% body weight. But I strongly recommend get puppy milk replacer or if you cannot get puppy replacer then use goat milk and give it to baby squirrel if baby squirrel is warm, milk must be very warm remember. Goat milk has much more fat inside and all nutrients have smaller size more suitable for small body of squirrel. Don't nt use any plant base milk or cat milk replacer or human milk replacers. 8. First you need to resolve bloating, I believe that Infant gas x drops can be purchased in local pharmacy, drops will help to release gas from and make baby squirrel poop. 9. Contact local squirrel rehabber or vet to get advice, squirrel is wild life animal they should help by the law. 10. Get ready that baby squirrel will like die as the result of wrong feeding by cow milk and bloating might not be possible to resolve so it would be better if you take it to your local vet to put it sleep as they don't deserve to suffer by our mistakes, even when we are genuine we need to be effective, have time and resources to help otherwise we just hurt them. 11. Remember baby squirrel can be fed : - only when it is warm, by very warm milk replacer (not cow milk, better use goat milk if cannot get puppy milk), - the quantity of milk for feedings is 5% of baby squirrel body weight (weight in grams * 0.05 = milk qty in ml), - feed with 1ml or 3 ml syringes don't use 10 ml syringes as it is easy to put to much milk into baby's mouth and it will lead to death of baby squirrel. - if you get puppy milk replacer then mix 1 part (table spoon) with 3 ml of 80 celsius hot water and mix with spoon for 10 minutes until cooled down to be just warm, then it is ready to give to squirrel. - water that will be use to create (milk) solution must be 80 celsius because milk powder is dry and only 80 celsius hot water will make it dissolved and save to use to make milk replacer - - is the most common mistake using just warm or even cold water to mix milk powder, that is killing mistake, even milk manufacturers are not mentioning this, reason is unknown to me. 12. GET THE Infant gas x drops, ask in local pharmacy then know this product very well, it is common remedy for all mothers having infants around the world, so must be available everywhere. 13. Let me know what is the situation so maybe maybe we can work on solution and give baby squirrel chance to make it.

[@anitadhiman7140]

@@JurajHynek how rehydrate her at home?

[@raechamblee555]

That was supposed to read he doesn't suckle very well

[@lanseaair]

@raechamblee555 they dont suckle at first however only 1 drop at a time is better then aspirating and killing the baby going fast. In future you should always control the speed of intake with 1 cc syringe only until they are 5 weeks old or you are more experienced then you can go to a 3cc syringe however I prefer 1cc only with small miracle nipple from Amazon. Even without a nipple a drop from any syringe is fine until you seek help.

[@raechamblee555]

I have a 5-day old squirrel and when I try to feed him sometimes bubbles comes out of his nose, does that mean it's inside of his lungs? I have a hard time feeding him because he doesn't Circle and these bottles nipples are too big and I can't get the right thing in his mouth properly and I don't think I'm feeding him enough but I'm scared I'm going to give him pneumonia. Any helpful suggestions?

[@lanseaair]

@raechamblee555 you need a 1cc syringe with a small miracle nipple. Slow down these tiny baby's only need a little drop at a time or yes the baby will die because it will get over aspirated by you. Anyway for you to find a local rescue. Their is a squirrel board online that has great info for reading. Eventually a baby ill suckle but it is not important if you go drop by drop with a 1cc syringe. The max syringe I have ever used was 3cc but I controlled the pull even if they suckle the nipple. Be sure u have baby on a blanket with heating pad underneath they have no way to keep warm until after they grow into a minature squirrel with hair.

[@Nisa-jf4kr]

Ma'am PLEASE HELP MEEEEE My baby squirrel is also in pain. He has breathing issues and he is bloated. When he breaths, it sound like clicking noise.. He is circling while walking.. Shaking and scratching himself ALOT..... WHAT CAN I DOOO??? I WANT HIM... PLEASE HELP MEE MA'AM😭😭😭😭😭 I am begging youuu pleaseee

[@lanseaair]

You need to find a squirrel rehabber or a vet who does squirrels. Your baby's clicking means pneumonia. Keep the baby warm and don't handle so much until you get help. Don't feed any new baby for 4 hrs until body temp is aculamted. Antibiotics needs from a vet asap. Sorry 😞

[@Nisa-jf4kr]

@@lanseaair thank you ma'am❤️

[@JurajHynek]

This sound like aspiration of the milk replacer of another liquid, antibiotics are needed, NEVER push milk into baby mouth if baby is not taking it, milk in mouth will get down to lungs, baby squirrel must take it and must move its lips, sucks, licks

[@sathiyapriya4058]

My baby is struggling to breathe and his stomach is bloated i took him to the vet but no improvement mam .kindly tell me what to do to save his life mam

[@matthew6905]

So how did you get its bloating down?

[@lanseaair]

INFANTS Gas Releif drops. 0.1 cc 5 x a day or as needed. Or another trick is plain water .2 to .3 ml & stimulate after to get water out of bladder. The water will help the crud in belly even if the bowel is loose the goal is too get bowel & blatter cleaned out. After 8 to 10 hrs if bowels working then slowly introduce dulited formula 25% to 75% water for 1/2 day then bump to 50/50 ratio 2nd half of day. By 3rd day do full food mixed normal. Continue to stimulate after each feeding. Goal is to avoid them going septic or getting red belly. Tummies should be soft not hard & always feed 5% of their body weight only. Hope this helps!

[@JurajHynek]

If people will mix puppy replacer with HOT (80 celsius) water (1 part puppy formula with 2.5 parts of 80 celsius water) then BLOATING will never happens. Replacer is dry powder people !!! it must be reconstituted, milk is not just powder with water. Then milk solution need min 4 h (8 h optimal) rest in fridge to complete the process of dissolving. Another reasons of bloating is feeding baby with more then 5 percent of its body weight (over feeding) and another reason is feeding to often. There are plenty of informations and instructions on rehabbers websites.

[@imjustagurlinaworld]

Mam my brother rescued a baby squirrels it was hungry from three days... it's been 4 days i have the baby but the stomach seems to bloated...i even cleaned the anal so that it can poop and pee and the do but still the stomach is bloated.....it doesn't seem to be the normal size of stomach the baby has.....my brother accidentally fed him cow milk but from past two days it's having powdered milk...the baby seems hungry but he moves to much it gets hard to handle it sometimes......the baby seems to be 2 weeks old as it has growth of hair on the body and the ears are opening a bit.....mam I'm telling you everything about the baby because there it's hard to get a vet nearly impossible.....not much people have the knowledge about squirrels....plss help me the baby is my last hope❤....it means so much to me mam please help me....🙏

[@lanseaair]

thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forum.php This is the website to read about everything on baby squirrels. Use the search feature to look up anything you need. Thank you for rescue