Some people use a heating pad to keep babies warm but there is a chance of burning the skin of the babies. If you must use a heating pad, be sure to place a towel between the heating pad and the container the baby is in. Small plastic aquariums work well to house the babies. They can be cleaned easily or placed in a dishwasher to sterilize them. Another safer way to keep the babies warm is to use a hot water bottle or a large glass jug filled with water and wrapped in a lightweight dish towel. Some wildlife rehabilitators use heat lights, again care should be used to make sure to not overheat the babies.
Another caution is the actual feeding of young animals and birds. Many people make the mistake of trying to feed baby birds and animals using an eyedropper filled with warmed up cow's milk mixed with sugar. This is one of the worst things to feed to the babies. Cow's milk will cause diarrhea, followed by dehydration, to babies. It contains fat globules that are difficult to digest. Another possible problem is aspiration. This is when the liquid is swallowed so fast that it enters the lungs and causes pneumonia, followed usually by death of the baby. The smaller the baby, the more careful you need to be.
Wild baby mice are very difficult to rehabilitate because they are so tiny. Tiny baby birds are much easier to care for, once you learn the proper methods of feeding. In upcoming articles I will tell you a bit about various methods of feeding and care of the animals and birds we have cared for.
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