disabled baby

[hopex2]

Hi all,
Two days ago I caught the dog with a baby squirrel. (sadly her sibling didn't make it) She had a bloody nose but seemed ok other wise. I warmed her up and cleaned her up. I found instructions on how to feed her in such. She's doing good although she hasn't pooped yet... that's starting to worry me. She's between 3 and 4 weeks I think. Ears are open eyes are closed.

Now the big problem...She seems to have been born missing all the toes & claws on on of her front feet and most of them on the same hind foot as well as one off of her other hind foot. oh, and her tail is too short. I would turn her over for rehab but I'm afraid they will put her down. I don't think she will be able to be released. What would you do?

She is way to cute to let anything happen to her and is already full of personality.

Thanks

[TinyPaws]

As far as peeing and pooping goes, you will need to stimulate her to go..you can use a cotton swab but finger works best..just rub your finger lightly over her private parts and she should go....

Also keep her warm..If you have a heating pad, place it under 1/2 the container she is in..if you don't have a heating pad, put some rice in a sock, heat it for a couple of minutes in the microwave and put it in with her..make sure it's not too hot...you will have to continue to warm it as it cools...

Keep her in a quiet area and cover her container....she will need to be put on espilac puppy formula....

Is she dehydrated? pull up her skin on the back, if it goes back down right away than she's ok...if it goes down slowly or not at all she is dehydrated and will need pediolite....

someone with more experience will also be on soon to give you further advice....

[hopex2]

:thankyou Tiny Paws ...

I have done all that. 1/2 warm bed, puppy formula, stimulating potty....Got it:) I'm more worried about her long term.


I used to raise rabbits and sometimes we would have to do all this for them to. I have also over the years helped orphaned/ rejected piglets, puppies and sugar gliders that fell from their pouch too soon. So I had the basics and have been researching the rest.

[hopex2]

Oh and even though she didn't really seem dehydrated when I found her I gave her 1/2 pedilite with her first 3 meals.

[TinyPaws]

Sounds like you're doing a great job...With deformities like that, she is not releasable...

We have several rehabers on TSB and as soon as one sees your post, they will post a reply...In the meantime just keep doing what you are doing..

Has she peed and pooped since your first post?

[muffinsquirrel]

What kind of squirrel is it? Do you know how much she weighs? (How much you feed her depends on how much she weighs.) How much are you feeding her, and how often? Do you have a syringe (without needle) to feed her with? It's best to start with a 1cc syringe - with that you can feed her very slowly, so that she doesn't aspirate and develope pneumonia. She must be kept warm - putting her box half way on a heating pad is the best way, but make sure the heating pad doesn't have the automatic shut off feature. (They aren't easy to find, but CVS usually has them.) Make sure the baby is nice and warm before you feed her, and they like their formula very warm, but not hot. I would also give her a feeding of Pedyalite between each feeding, just to make sure she doesn't dehydrate. (It should be very warm also.) To warm either the formula or the pedyalite, put it in a small glass (a shot glass works well) and then put the glass in a cup of very hot water - DO NOT put the baby's food in the microwave.

To stimulate mine, I use a dry kleenex and flick it back and forth across their private parts, That way I am sure they are peeing enough, and that it is a pale yellow to clear in color. Poops may be a little harder to induce, but keep trying. If she still has milk from her mother in her system, the poops will probably be dark in color, but after being on formula, they will begin to turn a yellowish color.

For her bedding, use either fleece or an old t-shirt. Do not use towels or any sort of loose woven material as they can catch their toes or foot and hurt themselves, sometimes seriously.

If you look at her belly before and after you feed her, you will be able to see the white 'milk band', which is the milk in her tummy. If she has a lot of fur on her belly, you may not be able to see it as easily, or at all.

I didn't notice whether or not you were in a legal state, but we should be able to find a rehabber to help you if you need one.

Keep her dark, quiet and warm. I hope the formula you are feeding her is Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer. If not, please change her over to it tomorrow as soon as possible - it is the closest thing to a momma squirrel's milk that we can get, and, unlike the others, contains all the nutrients she needs to grow up strong and healthy, Get the powdered Esbilac if at all possible - it will last longer than the liquid, as you can just mix up what you are going to use in a day. The cans of liquid Esbilac are only good for 72 hours after opening, so there would be a lot of waste with one pup on a can of liquid. You can find Esbilac at PetSmart, at Tractor Supply, at many large feed stores, and at most vets.

I hope she does well for you. It is an unbelievably expensive and time consuming job to raise a squirrel. With the problems with her toes, she will not be able to be released. If you decide to keep her, we'll give you all the 'pros & cons' later. If you don't want to keep her (a 15 year or more committment), we will help you find a good, experienced home for her.

muffinsquirrel

[hopex2]

:thankyou

She has been peeing since after her first feeding. I had picked up Just Born for puppies because another site had recommended it but I will switch her over.

I could only find a 3ml syringe she is doing well and eating like a pro. I don't currently have a scale. She would only take about 1/2ml per feeding the first 12 hours or so. Then she figured it out and I slowly bumped her up to 2ml per feeding. She now calms down within 5 mins of eating to take a nap. I have been using the shot glass to warm her formula. I have been feeding her every 3-4 hours. Her belly is very furry but I will take a look before and after our next feeding.

That is how I have her box set up. 1/2 heating pad non toe catchy material.

I'm good for now on her care if I have any problems I will make sure to ask. I just needed someone to confirm that she wouldn't be able to be released. I hate taking animals out of the wild. If I can't end up keeping her long term I will ask for help. I just can't see her being put down.

I tried to look up my state and I don't think I'm allowed to keep her she is an Eastern Gray. Although that seems silly since Easterns are not indigenous here and that's what they say is protected.

:thankyou

[hopex2]

:wahoo She pooped!!! I feel much better now.

[TinyPaws]

Yeah....:poop :poop :poop :poop

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123 (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56&page=3)Welcome!
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56&page=3

Here you will find three purple sub titles, each of these three articles is full of valuable info.
Momma sq may have rejected these two babies for her own reasons...but glad you were able to help the one! Is it a girl or boy? What's the little ones name?

WE also have an introduction forum and would love to meet you!
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=83

Thanks for loving sqs!:bowdown

[NewMommy]

Bless you for helping this little one. Prayers that all goes well with her. Have you named her/him yet? We're big on pictures on here so hopefully you can post some so we can see this precious one.

Happy Easter!!