Our new friend Chipper.

[Mitch]

Hi! I'm new to this. We (actually my Shepherd!) found this little guy at the bottom of a tree. A sibling (so I think) was dead. My husband left this one there for a few hours only to find him curled up into a ball freezing. We took him in of course. He was starving but didn't seem too dehydrated.

I don't want to bring him to a rehab. I would rather take care of him myself then release him, if possible. ??

I think he's 6weeks. His 2 front teeth are very small. He has all his fur and has nibbled on an apple. We've been giving him formula and pee's and poo's. :)

I don't know if it's a problem, but he doesn't move his bottom legs. He drags himself using his front legs only. Does he need more calcium? Is it his age? Is it that (MD..?) Don't remember what the name is...

I would love to keep him till he's well enough to be released. I can't keep him forever since I have my hands full already with 3 animals and 3 kids.

He's sooo sweet!
Any help would be very much appreciated!!
Mitch :)

[FallensMommie]

IS he on Esbilac Puppy replacer?

Has he always dragged his hind legs from when you got him or is this something new?

[FallensMommie]

He shouldn't have MBD at this age. I think he got hurt from his fall and maybe has either temp paralysis or permanent paralysis....time will tell.

If he is permanently disabled he will be non-releaseable...if this is the case would you like us to help you find something that will be willing to open their home to him?

[wheezer]

Sounds like he was injured when he fell if he has been like this since you found him. Pinch is toe to see if he has feeling in it. This sometimes heals if he has feeling there and is confined to little activity for a month or so.
I am sure there will be folks on here soon with more experience.:)
Welcome:Welcome and thanks for saving this little one:grouphug

[Apple Corps]

:Welcome :Welcome

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11782

[foxsquirrels]

I have a grown squirrel that is like your baby. He was not releasable but has a great life anyway. Have you tried pinching his little toes like Apple Corps said to see if he has any deep pain response? Can he move his tail?

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome thank you for saving the baby sq, and good luck!:grouphug

[Mitch]

I'm also going to ask a few questions that will help us to know better what might be going on.

1. How long have you had this baby?
2. Are you feeding it Esbilac PUPPY MILK REPLACER? How much and how often?
3. What are you using for bedding?
4. What type of "container" is he being kept in?
5. Did this just start suddenly?


1. I've had this little one since Thursday. I wonder if a wind storm caused this?

2. To be honest, been giving him scalded milk. :nono (I know, I'm really new at this and I did some researching, obviously wrong info!) I will buy Esbilac, avocado etc. today, if I can find some.

3 & 4. Bedding is a T-Shirt on (wood chips? Heard not too?) in a huge cage. (I had a domestic rat once)

5. His legs have been like that since we've had him. (I will try the pinch test this morning when I feed him. I'm pretty sure we tried it with no response. I'll try it again. He doesn't move his tail at all! :-(

On the upside, he seems to be getting more energetic and staying awake for longer periods.

I'm pretty sure, he's a black squirrel. Have only seen black or brown in this area. He's dark grey but that may change?

How do we know if he or she is female or male? He has that little part that needs to be stimulated to pee but is that the penis? Wow. I feel so unknowledgeable in this area! LOL

Things happen for a reason and if he can be placed in a great home, awesome. If you can help me, great! If not he's staying here. No euthanasia or release until his ready. If he ever is.

I'm impressed with the responses. :thumbsup I look forward to hearing your advice!!
:thankyou
Michelle and Chipper

[FallensMommie]

1. I've had this little one since Thursday. I wonder if a wind storm caused this?
If you were in a area with high winds from the hurricane then yes. If he took a drop and landed wrong.



2. To be honest, been giving him scalded milk. :nono (I know, I'm really new at this and I did some researching, obviously wrong info!) I will buy Esbilac, avocado etc. today, if I can find some.

You need to flush his system out with pedialyte to get that toxic scalded milk out of his system.

Recipe for homemade Pedialyte (you don't need this much so you can half the recipe):

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

I'm not sure how long to keep him on....so I will let a rehabber tell you.
However this solution will flush his system so you can get back on a proper track of Esbilac...he needs esbilac as he will be taking formula for another 4-6 weeks and it is vital to get proper nutrients in him to prevent MBD.




3 & 4. Bedding is a T-Shirt on (wood chips? Heard not too?) in a huge cage. (I had a domestic rat once)

I would remove any wood chips. What kind of cage....glass or mesh wiring?
At this age....cage shouldn't be high as we don't want him to fall and injure himself. Beings he is not using his back legs he needs more horizontal room than vertical and at this age much safer. You can always go to Walmart etc. and buy fleece material...much cheaper and it is soft and squirrels like to burrow themselves into it....makes them feel secure to have something to hide in.



5. His legs have been like that since we've had him. (I will try the pinch test this morning when I feed him. I'm pretty sure we tried it with no response. I'll try it again. He doesn't move his tail at all! :-(

Awww...poor sweet baby. Sounds like this might be a permenant paralysis.



On the upside, he seems to be getting more energetic and staying awake for longer periods.

As they get older they will stay awake for longer periods.



I'm pretty sure, he's a black squirrel. Have only seen black or brown in this area. He's dark grey but that may change?

I'm thinking Grey. I have seen black baby squirrels on the squirrel board and they are black even at this age...so I would assume grey. I know the Fall grey squirrel babies here in Florida are greyer in color, in spring the babies are reddish brown.



How do we know if he or she is female or male? He has that little part that needs to be stimulated to pee but is that the penis? Wow. I feel so unknowledgeable in this area! LOL

If the sex organ is close to the anus....it's a girl
If the sex organ has space between the anus and the organ...it's a boy



Things happen for a reason and if he can be placed in a great home, awesome. If you can help me, great! If not he's staying here. No euthanasia or release until his ready. If he ever is.

I'm thinking he will be non-releasable. I will see where you are located and I'm sure we can find somebody to take him and give him a forever home.


I'm impressed with the responses. :thumbsup I look forward to hearing your advice!!
:thankyou
Michelle and Chipper

We love squirrels...we are glad to you joined us...and thank you for rescueing this baby! :bowdown

[Mitch]

Yikes...toxic.

No...no hurricane. I'm in Ontario, Canada. We just had a windy day on Thursday. So maybe not then.

Darn, vertical cage.

I fed him pedialyte.
He seems to be trying to raising his bottom. I think (?) a slight movement in his legs when doing so. (Is that a good sign?)
I pinched but no real reaction.

I gave him his first bath. He loved it! He was closing his eyes. :)

How much do I feed and how often? I'm using a child's medical dropper. He eats till he's full, about 3/4 of a tsp. 4 times a day

I looked at all the ages info but still need confirmation. Very small front teeth and eyes open, has all his fur and can nibble. Holy, bottom teeth are huge!
I will try to post pics later today.

Thanks again,
Michelle

[FallensMommie]

Yikes...toxic.

No...no hurricane. I'm in Ontario, Canada. We just had a windy day on Thursday. So maybe not then.

Darn, vertical cage.

I fed him pedialyte.
He seems to be trying to raising his bottom. I think (?) a slight movement in his legs when doing so. (Is that a good sign?)
I pinched but no real reaction.

I gave him his first bath. He loved it! He was closing his eyes. :)

How much do I feed and how often? I'm using a child's medical dropper. He eats till he's full, about 3/4 of a tsp. 4 times a day

I looked at all the ages info but still need confirmation. Very small front teeth and eyes open, has all his fur and can nibble. Holy, bottom teeth are huge!
I will try to post pics later today.

Thanks again,
Michelle

Yea after I posted I saw you where in Canada. It is possible there is some swelling along the spine and as the swelling goes down he could get his movement back.

What does he weigh? That will help to determine how much to feed him.

No no to a bottle or eye dropper....you need a a 3 cc syringe from pharmacy without the needle to feed to prevent aspiration of the formula...aspiration leads to pneumonia and if not treated ASAP then death occurs.

[Mitch]

Sorry, I meant a medical syringe. Type that's in those cough medicine boxes or for antibiotic. I thought it was ok.

I'm near Barrie, Ontario.

Awesome, I hope it's just swelling! :)

[Mitch]

About 3 and half hours depending on traffic. :)

[FallensMommie]

Sorry, I meant a medical syringe. Type that's in those cough medicine boxes or for antibiotic. I thought it was ok.

I'm near Barrie, Ontario.

Awesome, I hope it's just swelling! :)


This is a syringe you need. This is a 1 cc you can use a 3 cc for his age:
http://www.guinealynx.info/images/syringe.jpg

[Mitch]

Here are a few pics. He's doing very well! Hard not to get attached!!! :)
My husband baby talks to him! LOL

Thanks again for all your help!
Michelle and Chipper

[Mitch]

I was reading another thread, for the outside time, I can place him in the shade? Not directly in the sun? Or do I?

Sorry about the silly question I just want to make sure!

Michelle

[FallensMommie]

With him being on Esbilac he will not need to be in the sun as he is getting all the proper nutrients for proper development. Sun provides vitamin D to help absorb calcium the Esbilac provides that and much more. It's when they wean we have to make sure they are getting vit. D from sun or Full Spectrum Lighting (FSL).

and a AWE...HE's PRECIOUS :D

[digiandchipper]

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon What a sweet little baby!! Hope he is going to be able to move his legs soon:Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Mitch]

Update. She still isn't using her legs. I discovered a lump on the bottom area of her spine. (I don't know why I didn't notice that when I first got her. :-s )
She's doing very well thow, considering. :)

However, somebody :bowdown pm'd me and is willing to take her in. I'm seriously looking into it. :)

Thanks again for your help!
Michelle & Chipette? LOL

[Jackie in Tampa]

:thumbsup Thanks for update...glad to hear he is doing well.
TSB is wonderful, maybe a permanent Home!:Love_Icon
Thanks and Good Luck
Love you baby black squirrel!:grouphug

[Mitch]

Some of you already know that someone from this forum has taken in Chipper. :bowdown I'm very pleased with this decision, as I can see how much great care she's getting. I'm very greatful and impressed!!! :) She will no doubtebly thrive.

A huge thanks for all your advice and support. :grouphug It was a great experience to rescue her and to try our best to give her the best care possible.

She is missed by our family but it's truly what's best for her. :Love_Icon
I will still come around and check out the threads since I find the squirrel world interesting. Our family has a greater respect for them.

Take care all and thanks again!
Michelle :)

[squirrelfriend]

Just let everyone know, I have her. She is such a sweet little girl. The abcess on her back has been drained and has been healing up nicely. Other than her semi paralised legs she is doing nicely. SHe is the queen of smelly poops though.:D She does not seem to be in any pain. Her diaper rash seems to be her biggest problem at this point. I want to correct that before it becomes a problem.

It was nice meeting up with Mitch. She is a wonderful caring person. Not many people would drive 2 hours to deliver a sick squirrel to get it help. Thank you MItch!!!!!

She has already learned to grumble if bothered while eating. SHe even took a pot shot at me when I pointed at her in her critter keeper. I guess I startled her. She may be crippled but she is still feisty.

I have a play date for her with Willow. Willow is another orphaned squirrel on this board. She belongs to someone else on here. They are the same age and color even so we thought it would be interesting to let them play together.

[Buddy'sMom]

AWESOME!!! :alright.gif :alright.gif Chipper has found her way to a wonderful home -- you made an excellent decision bringing her to Squirrelfriend!! I know it must have been very hard to say goodbye, but, wow! she already has a play date! :jump :jump

Do stick around, you will like it here. Also, one of the benefits of squirrelfriend being her new mommie is that SF is a very excellent photographer and I'm sure will delight us with wonderful pictures once Chipper settles in. (hint. hint. :D )

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Mitch]

A play date! How cute! :) She may be crippled but she moves really fast!

Oh yeah! She would grumble when she was disrupted while eating.

Squirrelfriend has sent me some pics and I loved the quality of her pictures and the pics she took! I'll have to show my students since they've been following my story. :thumbsup