OH dear!

[Frickster]

I am currently at work doing a 15 hour shift.....so I don't know how much I can do right now. Some of the little boys just found a baby squirrel and I have nothing here! My parents are on the way to pick it up....I have it sleeping wrapped in my fleece and sitting in the sun. I have written down what I THINK is the correct feeding chart. If some of you remember, I did NOT know about this site or the feeding routines when I had Frick....so I'm in unchartered territory right now. :) The little furball has fur and it's eyes look like they just recently opened but it has it's teeth....tried to eat my finger lol. The boys found him at the base of the tree....but these are abused and neglected kids - some of which have animal cruelty streaks. So I snatched it up and brought it here with me. I did not see a nest and I don't have a way to sit and watch for mom to come back. I was afraid if I left it there one of the kids or another animal would come by. I feel bad though, but I'm trying to help it. It has a good grip and took a little water. How often should it be fed? And if I'm using the powder esbilac....what EXACTLY do I do?

[Frickster]

I just checked again.....no top teeth....but definitely bottom!

[Buddy'sMom]

Frickster, your parents should first get the baby warmed. BEFORE anything else. Then start with re-hydrating -- either Pedialyte from the store or the following from the kitchen (either way, warmed before feeding -- with a syringe):

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water

Keep refrigerated.

That is all they need to worry about for the first few feedings. :) (Plus making sure there is Esbilac available for the next step.)

If you can, it would be good to keep an eye out for others near that same place. They don't all leave the nest on the same schedule if something has happened to Mom.

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

EDIT: I think you should heap praise on the boys that found it and alerted you (or, at least, didn't hurt it) -- teachable, re-inforceable moment. :bowdown :bowdown

[Frickster]

I didn't even see a nest.....the boys showed me where they found it, but I will look again when we go by there again. It is very warm to the touch....and it's fur didn't seem to stay tented. But you're saying we should do pedialyte either way BEFORE starting on the esbilac? How often?

[Buddy'sMom]

I think the rehabbers generally give a couple of hydration feedings first, to make sure. Babies don't generally leave the nest that young unless something has happened to Mom (in which case it has been without feedings for at least a couple of days) -- or if the nest blows down or tree gets cut down (and Mom was just out someplace), but that doesn't seem likely here.

If they are not nice and warm, and rehydrated, they cannot digest the formula --- and you have to start all over. When they start the Esbilac, it should be more diluted to start out, and gradually work up to the standard mixing directions. That might be in GB's link -- if not I'll find it and post for you.

:grouphug

[Buddy'sMom]

Here is the info for the transition from diluted to "regular" Esbilac:


Gradual increase to "full strength" Esbilac:

3 feedings 1 part Esbilac powder in 4 parts water
3 feedings 1 part Esbilac powder in 3 parts water
then go to all feedings 1 part Esbilac powder in 2 parts water

For squirrels, and many other animals, the advised formula is 1 esbilac/2 water, as is stated on the container.

NOTE: It is diluted with plain WATER. (Do not mix Pedialyte or the homemade hydration formula with the Esbilac).

For 4-7 week squirrels, they can be fed about every 4 hours. ("5% Rule" if you have a scale to weigh him.)

:grouphug

[Buddy'sMom]

If there is no scale to weigh him, at that age, about 5cc (same as 5 ml) would be a good target amount. His tummy should get bigger but not taut (like a partially inflated balloon). It may take some time for him to adjust to the syringe, the Pedialyte, the formula ("This is NOT Mom!! What's going on here??" :D )

[4skwerlz]

It is also possible that he just tumbled out of the nest accidentally. I've seen it happen. Or like what happened to me, mom was in the process of moving the babies and encountered something scary, like a group of kids, and dropped it. If you get a chance when you leave work, you might try leaving the baby at the base of the tree and watch carefully from a hidden place for around 30 minutes to see if momma comes and gets it.

[island rehabber]

Frickster you've gotten good advice here -- but I would still try to re-unite with mom if possible. This evening would be the best time, keeping the baby warm but visible to mamma from above in the tree. You might put some juicy-looking nuts on top of the box, or around the baby, to attract her. Of course you'll have to stand guard at all times....but it's worth trying!

[4skwerlz]

One last tip for reuniting....momma often won't come unless she hears the baby crying. So actually you don't want to wrap him up warm and cozy. He will cry if he feels he's exposed in the chill air. On the other hand, you don't want him to get too chilled. It will depend on the temperature there how long you can leave him.

[Frickster]

Unfortunately I don't have a way to reunite. I'm a child care counselor....meaning I'm with the kids from 7am to 10 pm. If I had left him there it would have been him on his own. I wanted to reunite....but I didn't want to risk it. I hope that was the right decision. The boys up there can be really rough and had already definitely startled him. I did look around for a nest though and didn't see any...anywhere. There are not actually even a lot of trees where he was found. :dono ????

[digiandchipper]

Do what you need to do, Frickster, to see that this baby is safe....I would be worried about the rough boys, too, or even meaner ones....anyway, maybe now Frick can have a new sister or brother :flash3 ?
Good luck, new mommy :grouphug

[Frickster]

I went out again before I left work to check all the tree bases and bushes within the vicinity of the squirrel's finding location. No more babies anywhere....I'm just not sure where this little one came from. Seems to have literally just dropped from Heaven as I still didn't see any nests anywhere. So far so good with the eating.....not getting any pee or poop though. I have added some pictures and short video for you guys to see if things at least LOOK ok. It's a squirmy little bugger. Definitey smaller than Frick and Frack were so not sure what exactly is normal....are they supposed to be a little wobbly/shaky like in the video? Is this a girl?


http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo333/frick_videos/th_P1110976.jpg (http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/oo333/frick_videos/?action=view&current=P1110976.flv)

[digiandchipper]

Oh, I'm in love - what a darling!!!! :Love_Icon
In the pics, at least, she looks good...now I'll go back and watch the video...

[Frickster]

so that shaking is just baby shakes? i do hope frick will be sweet.....she was always so sweet to frack and took such good care of him. i'm only concerned about this peeing and pooping bit.

[digiandchipper]

Ya know I'm not an expert, but she looks okay to me... alert and curious, too. Glad she's doing well with the eating. I would think you'll see some pee soon, maybe a while before poo..?

She's just precious :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[digiandchipper]

so that shaking is just baby shakes? i do hope frick will be sweet.....she was always so sweet to frack and took such good care of him. i'm only concerned about this peeing and pooping bit.


I didn't really notice any actual shaking in the video - maybe it's more obvious in person?:dono I still say she looks good - and so did Gammas, so that should ease your mind :D

[Frickster]

most definitely....thanks to you both!

[digiandchipper]

Have a good night with the new baby.....hoping for some sweet pics and updates tomorrow :D :poke

Night!:wave123

[Jackie in Tampa]

Baby in the House! and a girl!
How are you two this morning? I would go back and ck again for more babies this morning if possible! Momma may have been moving from one nest to another to avoid something....? look around well!
What a treasure she is! What's her name now that you have had her overnight, I know you're in love again...great find, good job!:bowdown
Kiss those sweet boys and give them a piece of reward candy!:D
:jump :jump :jump :jump

[Nancy in New York]

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup Oh she is adorbale...looks perfect to me. If you are around that area or if you are walking around...listen really carefully to see if you can hear a little one crying. They will cry if they are hungry and if Mom is gone you should definitely hear them screeching.
About 10 years ago, I heard that sound in my front tree, thought it was a bird that I had never heard before. After 2 days of the same sound (periodically), I saw 3 baby grey squirrels at the base of the tree. Hubby went up because the sound was still coming from up there, and found 4 more with dead Mama in the nest. (We think she may have been hit by a car, but made it back up to her babies) These little ones eyes still closed started moving out on the branches and squealing because they were so hungry. I'm going to try to find that sound somewhere and post it if I do. That would be a good thing for people to listen for if there are still babies around...

[Nancy in New York]

I'm still looking for that sound, however, here is a short story of exactly what I experienced...
http://www.rogerstriffler.com/skydivers/skydivers.htm

[Mookie's Mom]

Good morning Frickster:wave123 Your little girl is soooo cute! How is she this morning? You are such a great mom, I'm sure you two will do really well :thumbsup

[Anne]

Precious little girl, good luck with her. Come on we all know you have named her:jump

[Frickster]

she seems to be well.....she ate her breakfast this morning like a good girl. need to go get a smaller mouth syringe today. i feel that the ones for frick and frack are just too big....they are droppers. we had a smaller one, but i still feel like she's sucking it too fast even if we don't squeeze it at all. she's a funny little thing. much more vocal than the other babies were. grunted at me first thing this morning. she seems to be staying where the heating pad is and she's got lots of fleece. she's definitely an explorer already. i'm still thinking of names.....not decided yet. i appreciate everyone's kind words. unfortunately, i do not work today and can't check the grounds....but i went several times yesterday after hours in between. listened and looked....nothing. i do work overtime tomorrow so i will check again. i'm glad we intercepted her though as the house of boys that found her is definitely one of the more aggressive boys houses. the girls in my house were very sweet with her and have always been very interested in frick and frack. i was glad they were able to see her up close to appreciate all the squirreliness. they were instantly very protective of her and went to check her box about every 10 minutes...."just to make sure" lol. will make a thread for her in the nursery once i figure out just who she is. i really didn't think we'd ever be blessed with this opportunity again....frick liking her will just be icing on the cake.

[digiandchipper]

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
I always got my small syringes for DC at the Target pharmacy...they would give me a handful no charge.

Good luck and will definitely be on the look out for sweet girl's new nursery thread:D
:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug Thanks for being there for her!!!

[Frickster]

so we've made it through our first day. still no poopies....but she's peed and tonight even peed QUITE a puddle on her own. she tried to spread her little legs...but they just weren't long enough. she had a couple fleas when i first found her and some definite matted spots....so she got a bath just to give her a fresh start. she definitely handled it better than frick or frack ever did. i forgot how much these little ones sleep. she wakes up to eat and switch up her position but then right back off to sleep. i am adding a video of her sleeping....does her breathing look ok? i just can't believe how small she is. anyone know how old she is? frick and frack were so much bigger. as i've said....she's got her bottom teeth and tiny top teeth. her eyes are open, but she still looks new eyed - like she's not actually seeing everything yet. she's wobbly but boy can she shoot off fast. she seems to be staying near the heating pad. i even found one today that doesn't have an automatic shut off. YAY!! still up in the air on names.....any suggestions? when i feed her every 3 1/2 to 4 hours she seems SO hungry! i keep hearing her make these funny little noises and think she's clicking....but i guess it's just baby noises because when i listen to her back and chest all i hear is her heartbeat. she's a messy little eater though....

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo333/frick_videos/th_P1120025.jpg (http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/oo333/frick_videos/?action=view&current=P1120025.flv)

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo333/frick_videos/th_P1120011.jpg (http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/oo333/frick_videos/?action=view&current=P1120011.flv)

[digiandchipper]

Oh, what a darling! It seems like she's feeling good....and remember DC took A WHILE to poop.....I think I have several POOP threads, if you end up needing them. But I'll bet you see a little doodle today or tomorrow.

How old were Frick and Frack when you found them, I forget?

Soon you'll think of her name, the more you get to know her.:Love_Icon

[Frickster]

i thought they were about 5 1/5 weeks old. they were able to see better i think and had their teeth and were just generally bigger. unless my memory is just off.

[Anne]

She is incredibly precious:thumbsup : I think you've just forgotten how small babies can be. She looks great to me, if you can weigh her and make sure she's getting enough formula, you may need to shave off a few minutes between feedings.:grouphug :grouphug

[Frickster]

WE HAVE POOPIES!!!!
TINY TINY ONES....BUT POOPIES NONE THE LESS!!!

[digiandchipper]

:wahoo :poop :poop :bdhorn

Awesome!!! Now it's time for pics :D :poke

[Anne]

Let's now see pictures of these little pooping babies:thumbsup

[Frickster]

Am still trying to think of a name before I start her thread. The little devil about scared me to death this morning. She's been sleeping in a tote by my bed because the puppies have been sleeping upstairs. I've got her tote sitting on top of another tote so that I can check on her if I need to. I heard this funny noise and rolled over to see her teetering on the edge about to tumble off the top of her tote. I reached out fast and she fell into my hand. Needless to say, she's graduated to a bigger tote now that she has discovered her arm muscles. :D

Questions....does she have to be outside for the hour a day at this age? when i went to uncover her and check on her a bit ago....she shot up and to the corner....she curled back up over the heating pad but she did this weird little twitch whenever i put my hand close....not sure if she was having a nightmare or if i scared her or if something was wrong....sound like anything you guys have experienced? she's pooping and peeing more on her own as well as when i stimulate her. never had to do that with frick and frack so this is definitely new....

[Frickster]

when i think of her name, i will add the video of frick meeting the little girl....very funny