So worried!

[zeeky]

I have had this little squirrel that has lived in my shed off the end of my deck for a couple years. We have so enjoyed this little gal and a couple weeks ago my daughter took my camera up- not touching anything- she just snapped pics to see what this shed looks like... the whole top was NESTS! It was SO COOL!

Last Saturday, I was on the deck and we watched the squirrel carry FOUR babies (1 at a time) across the trees and INTO the shed. We were just having such a GREAT time watching this little family! Oh it was a JOY!

Sadly, today my 7 y/o was out on the deck and came in SCREAMING! The neighbors cat got hold of the mom squirrel :( She hasn't been seen since.

I think there are 4 or 5 babies. I am so afraid we're going to loose them to the cat... and there is a crows nest within feet of the deck as well :( The crows were fighting the mom as she was carrying her babes- they were constantly trying to get the squirrels.

We have one of the babies here in a container- it is very friendly. Lets us pet it etc. We want to make sure these little guys make it!

Can anyone tell us what we can do- are these little guys old enough to make it on their own? What can we do to help them? Feed them? How much water, food etc.???

I'm going to try to add pics to this. I tried to get the size... about 4 inch tails... maybe 5.5 inches from rear to nose.

Please tell us- are these okay yet without a mother there??????

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Mymaaaaa/100_8961.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Mymaaaaa/100_8959.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Mymaaaaa/100_8960.jpg

[NaturesGift]

aww ty so much for rescueing these babies! No they are not able to survive at this age without there mommy. Do you have the babies on a heating pad?
they need ot be kept on a heating pad set on low. More help is on the way.

Are you planning on raising them or do you want help locating a rehabber to help you?

[zeeky]

Just saw this note- I replied to your private msg as well:)

We are in SE Alaska and on an island with no way to really get help. No rehabs in the area and no way to get to one. We will try to raise them but really DO want them released at a safe time.

ANY help would be appreciated!

We are heart broken- we have watched this mommy ready her nest for SO LONG! She carried each one to it- fought off a crow... now this :( I miss her already :(

Do other adult squirrels harm the babes?

TY!

[LynninIN]

Are you sure the mother was fatally wounded? If yes, can you get to the other babies and bring them down?

They look to be around 5 or 6 weeks old, too young to be on their own. I will post a list of emergency care until morning.


Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)

Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. Find a Box or Container
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.


If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.

3. Rehydrate the Baby

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

Supplies You Will Need:
--Heating pad without auto shut-off (if you don’t already have one)
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores. You can also order supplies from Chris’ Squirrels and More. (http://www.squirrelsandmore.com)

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:
--1 teaspoon salt
--3 Tablespoons sugar
--1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby can be held in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.


How Much Fluid to Feed
Give 1/2 to 1 cc every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. Then give it every 2 hours around the clock. Do not feed Pedialyte for more than 24 hours. It is not a substitute for formula. Refrigerate Pedialyte after opening. Throw away any open bottles after 3 days.

Check the baby every few hours using the “pinch test” described above. As baby rehydrates, he should “perk up” and become more active. Rehydrate all babies for at least 2 hours before feeding formula or food of any kind. Severely dehydrated babies should be rehydrated for 24 hours before feeding.
Note: If your baby will not take any fluids, he must go to a rehabber immediately or he will die.

Potty Time
A baby that is not fully furred will need help to pee and poo. Normally, the squirrel’s mother will lick the baby’s belly and bottom to stimulate him to go. Before and after feeding, use a warm, damp kleenex, cotton ball, or soft cloth to gently tickle the baby’s genital area. Do this until baby goes. NOTE: A dehydrated baby may not pee or poo until he has had several feedings of Pedialyte.

[NaturesGift]

your welcome. :grouphug :grouphug It has to be hard to see that happen.

Yes other squirrels would hurt the babies.

[NaturesGift]

:goodpost :goodpost :goodpost

[island rehabber]

zeeky forgive my ignorance in geography but are you really, really far from North Pole Alaska? Our esteemed member here, "Alaskan Squirrel Cam" Bob, lives there and has raised many many red squirrels. (Which is what your little guys are.)

You've gotten good advice from everyone. You will need to get some Esbilac puppy formula ASAP...the powdered or liquid....if not available near you I am sure that chris from squirrelsandmore.com can ship to you. In the meantime the little guys can also munch on solid foods like raw sweet potato, leafy greens (kale, spinach), broccoli and cauliflower, etc. They will need formula, though, for about another 3-4 weeks.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Not to overload you with ideas, but have you checked with your neighbor to confirm the cat brought a squirrel home, and if it survived the incident.

[Apple Corps]

Agree with others:

Please go over to the neighbors house and LOOK for the Momma squirrel - she may be alive and needing your help

They are NOT a rabies carrying critter - so some small bites or scratches are of no worry

Collect all the babies and put them in a box with some old T shirts or something for them to snuggle under

The heating pad under 1/2 the bottom works

You can make some pedialyte hydrating liquid by mixing 3 TABLESPOONS of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 quart of water - refrigerate

If you find Momma squirrel first aid quickly - keep us posted - lots of help for you here

Welcome and THANK YOU for caring - those babies are counting on you.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:wave123 Good morning Zeeky...how are you guys today? How is the little one? :grouphug