baby squirrels 1week or less

[dougb]

found 3 baby squirrels no more than 1 week. neighbor placed them by bottom of tree in mulch with nesting. Is there any possability the mom will come back and get them. also is there any chance they will make it through the night or is this wishful thinking.

[FallensMommie]

found 3 baby squirrels no more than 1 week. neighbor placed them by bottom of tree in mulch with nesting. Is there any possability the mom will come back and get them. also is there any chance they will make it through the night or is this wishful thinking.


Will most likey not make it through the night. They need heat and hydration. They need to be place on some blankies (no terry cloth towels) in a small shoe box or something to contain them and place half the container on a heating pad.

Let me copy and paste info for you but please if they are outside go get them, they have to be kept warm or can die if within a couple of hours if their body temp reaches a certain point.

[FallensMommie]

PINKY SQUIRRELS: THE FOUR MAGIC WORDS

WARMTH: a heating pad on low, under half their container (not under THEM) is best. Plastic tubs or terrariums are good because the environment is more humid and their skin doesn't dry out. When feeding a pinky, if your hands are warm you can use tissue paper to wrap and hold him...if your hands are cold, WARM a cloth or glove before picking up the pinky or you will chill him instantly.

HYDRATION: pinkies need hydration in the form of formula -- or Pedialyte in the beginning -- at least every 2.5 hrs. This means getting up at least once during the night. I get up twice, and it still means they will go 3.5 hrs sometimes without food but it's usually ok. If they look flat and skinny when you get up to feed them, you are not feeding OFTEN enough. Sorry kids, it's a rough gig those first 2 weeks.

CONSISTENCY: consistent heat.....consistent feedings....if your schedule is going to make you sporadic or unpredictable in caring for these teeny-weenies, give them to someone who has the time to care for them properly. If you don't have a heating pad, GET ONE, without an auto shut-off. Microwave disks are too unpredictable for pinkies and may cook them. Hot water bottles don't last nearly long enough for these fragile babies.

PATIENCE: Feed pinkies slo-o-o--owly. Very slowly. Teeny drop by teeny drop, preferably with a 0.5 (1/2) cc syringe or a 1cc at the LARGEST. Use a nipple attachment for best results. Go very, very slowly. If it takes you 15 minutes to get half a cc of formula into a pinky, yer doin' it perfectly. This is how we avoid aspiration, the #1 cause of death in pinkies and the reason why "some say" there is only a 50% success rate in saving them.

[FallensMommie]

What I copied and pasted can be found here: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11782


This thread will assist you in dealing with the first few hours of finding an injured or orphaned baby squirrel. In most cases we would urge you to find a qualified wildlife rehabilitator ASAP, but please follow these guidelines to stabilize and keep the squirrel safe:

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. [b] Find a Box or Container[b]
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.

Note: 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!

How to 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.

[b] Supplies You Will Need: [b]
--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.

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
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 should be held upright 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.

[dougb]

Thanks for the info. I have never raised them this young. I will give it a try. I hope I can help. Thanks again.
Doug

[FallensMommie]

Get them through the night and you can try and runite the mommy and babies first thing in the morning.

I copied this off another website on reuniting:
IS THIS SQUIRREL TRULY ORPHANED? It is more likely that a baby squirrel with its eyes still closed, found at the base of a tree, has fallen from the nest and will be retrieved by mom.Also, if a whole nest is on the ground with small babies inside, mom will take them back if given the opportunity. Even if you have touched the animal, mom will still accept it, she may come and then leave, but come back for it in a few hours. To reunite, leave the baby in the exact spot where found (mom won't know to go look anywhere else), you can place a hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel) under it for warmth. (Do not cover the animal with any materials; leave in plain view, otherwise mom won't be able to find it).Monitor from inside. Try only during daylight.If after several hours mom does not at least come to see the squirrel then it needs help. However, if a young squirrel is following you around and there is no sign of mom, and it's extremely thin, then it needs help right away, do not bother trying to reunite!


If that fails call a rehabber in your area (I'm not sure where in La you are so I just copied and pasted the whole state list of rehabbers...somebody on TSB might be a rehabber that can offer to take them)
Louisiana, Central
(no listings)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana, Northern



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana, Northeast

Louisiana, Northeast region, Ouachita Parish (Monroe)..... 318-322-8144

Carmon Hill, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
carmon.hill@worldnet.att.net
Wildlife Species: mammals


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana, Southern

Louisiana, Southern region (Clinton, E/W Feliciana Parishes)..... 225-683-8004

Scott and Anna Heinrich, Anna's Exotic Animal Ranch
annasdeer@bellsouth.net
Wildlife Species: white-tail deer, small mammals
Comments: we have a release site that is controlled acreage so the
progress of released animals can be monitored
Louisiana, Southern region, Gloster Parish (Gloster)..... 318-933-1166

Kathy Wilson (owner), Loving Care
wcrazykat0225@yahoo.com
Wildlife Species: rabbits, raccoons, opossum, squirrels, coyotes, deer
Specialties/Knowledge: work for a veterinarian
Comments: on 250 acres for safe release with lake and woods; Have federal license.
Louisiana, Southern region (Gonzales)..... 225-675-8004

Susan Lipoma, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
Wildlife Species: hawks, owls, raccoons, white tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, etc.
Louisiana, Southern region, Livingston County (Livinston)..... 225-698-3168

Leslie Lattimore (director), Wings of Hope
Leslielatt@aol.com
Wildlife Species: all
Louisiana, Southern region, St. Landry Parish (Washington)..... 337-826-8109 or 337-945-1461(cell)

Noel Ann Thistlethwaite (director), Acadiana Raptor Center at Malacoff, Inc.
leonthistle@centurytel.net
Wildlife Species: hawks, owls, and eagles
Specialty: hacking back raptors and caging in Southern states
Comments:ARC is the only center in the state permitted to rehabilitate eagles (have adequate
flight enclosure); utilize video cameras for hack back system
Louisiana, Southern region (Lafayette)..... 337-288-5146

Letitia Butcher, Acadiana Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation, Inc.
tishabutcher@bellsouth.net
Wildlife Species: migratory song birds, birds of prey, native mammals
including bats, wildlife education


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana, South Central

Louisiana, South Central region, St Martin Parish (Breaux Bridge)..... 337-326-4122 or 337-781-3513 (c)

Valerie Jagneaux, licensed home wildlife rehabilitor
critter-queen@cox.net or kenspia@cox.net
Wildlife Species: Accept any mammals and reptiles
Specialties/Knowledge: Opossums, skunks and armadillos
Comments: If I can't help I can help you find the proper rehabber to contact.
I do not rehab birds but will transport them to licensed rehabbers or to LSU Veterinary
College for treatment and care.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana, Southeast

Louisiana, Southeast region (Kenner)..... 504-455-2167 or 504-832-2318 or 504-338-5287 (cell)

Louise Walzer, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
wez904@hotmail.com
Wildlife Species: squirrles only


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana, Southwest

Louisiana, Southwest region, Calcasieu Parish (Lake Charles)..... 337-477-6129

Suzy Heck (director), Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
heckhaven@aol.com
Wildlife Species: all mammals, raptors, large waterfowl (mainly pelicans),
and will take unwanted exotics
Limitations: We do not accept songbirds

[wheezer]

Great Job, FM

Good luck, Doug. Come back for any questions you have. Plenty of help here:thumbsup

[dougb]

Thanks again for all the info. I will try to get them through the night. I will try to get them back to mom. She fell out with part of the nest. If I am not successful I will try a rehaber. Thanks again for all of ya'lls help.

Doug

[LynninIN]

Hoping all went well last night.

Squirrel mothers usually make more than one nest. If she's around, she will have a second nest to take them to. Good luck!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thanks Doug:thumbsup

[FallensMommie]

How are the babies this morning?

.....and please let us know what happens: rather they were reunited with mommy :Love_Icon or went to a rehabber.

You are giving these little precious babies a second chance at life :bowdown :thankyou

[dougb]

Hey Fallensmommie. thanks for the info. I got the babies through the night. I tried to reunite them the next morning but I have a feeling the mama squirrel was trying to shake off a bad headache from the fall. I did lose one of the three but he had a very bad head injury. I would have loved to try and raise them but instead I brought them to a animal rehaber. She seemed to know alot about them and the care they would need along with the ducks, turtles family of otters and other critters she had helped. I think they will be in good hands. Thanks again so much for your help and with the quick response. I may call on your help again if and when the time comes. Thanks again.
Doug

[FallensMommie]

Your are so welcome!

Thank you for the update, and for giving them a chance to reunite with momma.
Did you see the mom at all? I'm wondering if she is okay, they to can suffer injuries from falls including head injuries. If you see her and she is not okay I would trap her with a havaheart trap and call a rehabber as well.

Thank you so much for getting them to a rehabber, they have so much experience in this area so the little ones have a very good chance of making it. They are hard to raise at this age and very time consuming...

Thank you so much for giving them love and care and helping them make it through the night before handing them over...you are their angel! :grouphug

[dougb]

Hey Fallens Mommie & Gammas Baby

Thanks for all your help. I did get the babies to a rehaber in Livingston, La called Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary. I think they will get very good care there. Normally I have the around the clock time they would have required. I was glad to get them through the night and the experience will help me be better prepared for the next time. They were just a little young for my experience but now I have the name and numbers to some good local rehabers. Thanks again for the help everyone.
Doug

P.S
I did see the mom a couple of days latter and she seemed to be ok. I really would have liked to get them back to her.

[FallensMommie]

You are most welcomed, you save them twice and for that you are their hero.
Thank you for the love and care you gave them while you had them :D

You did your best at trying to reunite the momma and babies, and you should feel no guilt about seeing her now. Is it sad? Yes....but all we can do is help and do the right thing and in this situation....you did the right thing!

Thank you again for saving these babies! :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

:thankyou Thanks Doug!
Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary in Livingston, La.
can you include a #, so we may provide in the future for someone else if in your area?:Love_Icon
Thanks again Doug:bowdown
:wave123

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Doug, can you contact the sanctuary and tell them you've seen Mom? They may want to try to reunite them, as she can do a much better job caring for them.

[FallensMommie]

Doug, can you contact the sanctuary and tell them you've seen Mom? They may want to try to reunite them, as she can do a much better job caring for them.


What is the time frame for reuniting a baby with mommy? :thinking This is very interesting to me.....can you reunite a baby with mommy after a week or two? Very interesting indeed!
I want to know as if I find another baby I would love to try and reunite....even if that means I can do it a week later.

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

WOW..I missed this one..great HELPING FM.....:thumbsup
Doug..way to go....:alright.gif

:Welcome :Welcome Welcome from Bean and Me...a little late...:Welcome :Welcome
Id love to hear an update..if you have one..on the babies..:D
:wave123 Rachel n Bean:wave123