Hubby just found 4 babies!!!

[cascy]

My hubby just found 4 babies... What do I do now?!

[Momma Squirrel]

:Welcome first off we will need some information

How old are they
What are their conditions
What type of squirrels if you know
What are you feeing them
Do you have them on any heat source
Anything else you can tell of that you think might help

Pictures would be great if you can provide them.

Someone will be on shortly to help but answering these questions will get them started.

[Momma Squirrel]

This might help also until more experience member can come on line.

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.
__________________

[island rehabber]

Depending upon where you are in Arkansas, we may have a member who is a squirrel rehabber and can help you. In the meantime, keep the babies in a dark, warm, QUIET place awawy from pets and kids. The questions Momma Squirrel asked above are crucial if we are to be able to help you quickly. :)

[Momma Squirrel]

How are the babies?? Where did you go?

[cascy]

I am sorry for taking so long everyone!

My internet connection went down on me and just came back!


We have 4 baby fox squirrels I believe...
I have a pic I will post if I can figure out how to..

3 females and 1 male...

I met with a friend of mine who has raised them before, and she got them off to a good start, got everyone feed, and got them to potty.

They are currently sleeping under my shirt and everything is turned off except the computer (which isn't making any noise..)

Here's one of them...
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp31/cascypics/squirrel.jpg

[cascy]

Wanted to add, they are eating puppy milk replacer with a little bit of peanut butter dissolved into it... All are eating really well, one is a little weaker, but it slowly making progress!

[cascy]

I don't know if it's espilmac sp? or not...
It's Hartz brand milk replacement for puppies :dono

As for the peanut butter, it was only a very small about on the end of a teaspoon, and she said something about it made them get some nutrient quicker, and that she had better success with them taking the bottle with it mixed in :dono

I'll read up on the link! Thank you

[cascy]

To answer you other question...

They eat about 2 eye droppers full every hour to hour and 1/2... I need to read up and see if that's enough or to much.. I just let them eat until they were full...

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

Babies should not be fed with a baby bottle they need a 1 or 3cc syringe.
They can aspirate very quickly and its a very sad ending.
Esbilac can be bought at Vet offices and Petsmart Petco ect...its the only one we recomend.:thumbsup

[cascy]

Our neighbor is clearing brush right next to our house...

Our dog got momma :( And babies were left on the ground... hubby scooped them up before the dog got them....

I will get the other formula... Do I need to get it tonight or will they be okay on this until morning? My vet is already closed and the nearest "pet store" is an hour away....

They are sure little chatter bugs... when they are not sleeping that is...

According to the chart, I'm thinking they are 5-6 weeks old :dono

[TexanSquirrel]

Best of luck to you!

[cascy]

It was horrible.... I felt so bad for momma :(

I'd really like to make sure these babies make it... I know I am a complete newbie to all this, but I really appreciate ya'lls patience with me and you have no idea how much you've helped already!

I will go get the other formula first thing in the morning!

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

Being that your dog killed the mother I would find a rehabber to care for these little ones, if this dog is an indoors dog. Also you will have major problems releasing the squirrels when the time comes. It just isnt a good situation.

[cascy]

The dog is an outside dog, and she is usually in her kennel... We were outside in the yard, so we let her out for exercise, otherwise we would of never found them.


We live in the country, and there is several squrriels around, I don't think it will be a problem to get them released.

If I would of known they had their nest knocked down, we certainly wouldn't of let the dog out.... But thanks for your help

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

I understand your pain, good luck with the babies..they look 4-5 weeks.

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

When you switch to the new formula make sure you leave the peanut butter out! NO need for it and can cause other issues.
Good luck!