New Member with questions (clover87)

[clover87]

Hello! I'm a brand new member of the squirrel board and I have lots of questions! I first found my 2 week old baby yesterday morning. I spoke with someone at A Second Chance Wildlife Foundation and he told me to begin feeding with puppy formula. After I gave the baby it's first meal I read online that I should have started with pedialyte or gatorade. Now I'm worried that the baby may be in danger. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

:wave123 :Welcome :wave123


REPLY FROM MARS:
We start with pedilyte becuase most babies come in dehydrated to one degree or another. You can test for dehydration by gently pinching the skin at the scoff. If the pinched area stays pinched your baby is dehyrated and should have at least 2 or three feedings of a hydration fluid first before start a dilute formula.

I don't think you have hurt your baby with just one feeding of formula. The worst that will happen is bloat. Other possiblities are constpation or diearhea. We can help you through these situations.

How old do think your baby is? Is it a grey squirrel, fox squirrel or flyer?


REPLY FROM ISLAND REHABBER:
clover87 and Mars, I think this thread should be in Non Life-Threatening Help Needed, not here attached to a sticky where it will not be seen. I'll move it and you can find it again easily, ok?

[TexanSquirrel]

:Welcome Good luck!!!

[Momma Squirrel]

:Welcome you will have a world of help and guidance here. If you can and get a chance send some pictures of that precious baby :)

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

:Welcome I am a licensed rehabber in Northeast Ohio. Are you looking for a rehabber to take your baby? I have a book with all the licensed rehabbers in Ohio, so if Second Chance wasn't close to you, I could help you find a rehabber that is. If you are near northeast Ohio, I could take the little tyke if you would like. I have 3 other 2 week old squirrels so he would have buddies then.

Also, squirrels usually have 3-5 babies at a time, so keep an eye out for more little tykes. Good luck with your little one.

[clover87]

Thank you everyone for all the great welcomes and advice! I am so very happy I found TSB! I've been reading up on all kinds of information tonight and I think my baby boy is doing just fine! I never knew something so little could hold such a big place in my heart!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[clover87]

I would love to raise the little one myself... but I want to do whatever is best for him. Do you think I should take him to a rehabber?

[FallensMommie]

I would love to raise the little one myself... but I want to do whatever is best for him. Do you think I should take him to a rehabber?


Yes, I think for the best release they should go to a rehabber that will put the baby in with other squirrels his/her age and raise them together for socializing/playtime, and then release time...helps them when they are in a group....I speak from experience.

I would advise you though to find a good rehabber for the release process. One that will wild them up and then let them come and go as needed to sleep or to eat...a soft release program.

I have one rehabber in my area that I will not take any squirrels to (or wild animals) for rehab. She raises them puts them out in a cage around 10 to 12 weeks, feeds them for 2 weeks and lets them go, they are not released on her property and nor does she visit them to feed them....IMO I am just not comfortable with that. I want a baby to have the best chance of survival so I would have to drive a little furthur for to find a rehabber that does soft releases....but yes I do think a rehabber is a good idea!

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I am in Northeast Ohio and would be more than happy to take the little one, if you are nearby or could get him to me (I currently have 22 babies and can't leave the house for more than an hour or two because of the bird feedings, but would be more than happy to have him if you could get him to me or most of the way to me). I have 3 other baby squirrels his age too, so he would have friends. I have an outside cage to overwinter him too. Plus, you will still get to watch him grow up because I take LOTS of pictures and post them here.

If I am not close to you and you would like to take him to a rehabber near you, I can help you find one too. I have a book with all the licensed rehabbers in the state. Just PM me what county you are in and I can help you out).

I also PMd you my phone number, feel free to call if you need any help.

Good luck with the little one.

[tatcat]

:wave123 hey darlin, listen to what gamma says...she has a lot of good info for ya...sry i didnt get your pm till just a few min ago...:grouphug

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

How is your little tyke doing today?

[clover87]

Hello! Sorry it has taken me so long to post. I've been busy with the little one and family events. He seems to be doing just fine. I'm still trying to make my decision to continue taking care of him or to give him up to SRBT or another rehabber. Oh and I think it was Mars who asked what type of squirrel he was and I am not quite sure how to tell. I'm going to try and post some pictures of him within the next couple of days.

[clover87]

P.S. (squirrelsrule&bunniestoo) Thank you for PMing me your phone number. I will give you a call here soon!

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I will be anxiously awaiting your decision :) . I am glad to hear he is doing good. I work from 6 AM- 2:30 PM, so if you could call after 3 that would be good.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Oh, and for what type of squirrel he is: if his tail fur is grey/white he is a grey squirrel, if it is orangish he is a fox squirrel. That is for the regular sized squirrels (he would weigh 40-60 grams). If he is smaller with orange fur, he is a red squirrel, and if he has grey fur with little skin flaps between his front and back legs, he is a flyer.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

How is the little guy? Can you tell what kind of squirrel he is now? Have you decided if you are going to give him to a rehabber yet?

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Has anyone heard from Clover? It has been a few days since she logged on. I gave her my phone number, but haven't heard from her yet. I hope everything is OK with the little tyke.