BABY FOUND

[dreardon]

A coworker found this baby, a cat actually found this baby. I'm guessing he's 5-6 weeks??? His eyes are open and he has fur. He's not standing or walking he's just scooting. I'm not sure if his front legs are hurt. He doesn't have any wounds, no bleeding, I've poked around on him and he does'nt seem to be in pain. He has eaten a little pedialyte and had a few drops of urine. He keeps crying when I put him in the box. He's okay when he's laying on me. Is it okay to allow my girls to be around him? I know with dogs they have to be quarentined before they can be around others to make sure they don't have anything contagious. Is there anything special I need to know about caring for one that has been with it's mommy for this long?

[foxsquirrels]

Do you have any Baytril? You need to get him started on Baytril antibiotics pretty quick. He may need some dexamethasone if he seems to have paralysis. I would quarantine him for a couple of days just to be sure he's okay. I'll bet he is but I would still quarantine. Very rarely does a cat get a squirrel where there are no puncture wounds. May be very hard to find but they are usually there. He needs snuggles, warmth and to feel safe.

[dreardon]

How much baytril do I give? Should he be standing yet? I know they are wobbly when they start standing and walking? I'll look some more for any wounds. He just went to sleep and is resting good now after laying on my chest for bout an hour. Is there anything that can be substituded for the dex?

[foxsquirrels]

No prescription substitutions for the Dex but some Vetri-DMG would be good if you have any. What strength Baytril do you have? It is pill or is it a suspension? When they're eyes are open they can usually stand. Give him a few drops of plain pancake syrup or karo syrup when he is awake, especially if he seems lethargic.

[dreardon]

I have pills not sure of strength the label isn't legible. I can get the correct dosage from my vet what strength should I get?

[foxsquirrels]

I would ask them to mix it into a suspension. If they don't do that, the 22.7 mg pill is what I use then it has to be diluted with water and refrigerated and dosed according to the babies weight.

[dreardon]

Thank you. I will keep you updated he's calling me now.

[foxsquirrels]

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[dreardon]

We made it through the night. He cried alot. I think it was because he was scared and needed to feel something near him. He slept on my chest most of the night. Every time I put him in his box he would sleep a little while then cry. He has pooped a couple of times and I haven't gotton any tee tee today that I've noticed. He can move his front paws it seems like he's just really weak and doesn't have the strength to stand. He is still a little dehydrated. I looked him over again really good and I can't see any wounds or scratches. How do older squirrels react to orphan babies? My girls can sense he's here and only Kiwi seems really interested in what is different about her surroundings. Will the motherly instinct kick in and they will welcome him?

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Each squirrel has their own personality, but I usually don't mix different age groups/litters. Most times, they don't get along. Is there somebody near you that has some babies you can pair him with?

[dreardon]

No one that I know of has any babies. I will let him sleep close to me as long as he needs to. He seems to feel safe with me. If that means lack of sleep for me for a while then so be it.