Looking for rehabber in Connecticut

[Embyr23]

My name is Megan, and I am from Connecticut.

About five years ago I successfully raised and rehabilitated a grey squirrel into the wild.

I work as a manager at a pet store, and last Tuesday, 8/4 a man came in with three baby gray squirrels that he had found in his yard and had for almost three days. He had them in a cardboard box with no bedding, and no heat source. He had been trying to feed them esbilac out of a puppy bottle. All three were in pretty bad shape, and looked to be about three to four weeks old. I suggested he try contacting a local vet that had the phone numbers for local rehabilatators, but he said he didnt have time for that and might as well just kill them. So, I obviously said no, and I took them myself. I took them home, got them into a box with t shirts and a heating pad, and got them all to slowly drink a little pedialite. I then spent hours trying to call or email someone that was licensed to take them, with NO results. The vet gave me a few phone numbers, one of the people had no idea what I was talking about, another said they no longer did rehab, and another went unanswered.

Sadly, the two smaller babies only made it a few days. They all sounded as if they had been apsirated by the puppy bottle, and one was having seizures, another had very bad diarea. But the third baby has survived, and is doing VERY well. Shes grown in a ton more hair, is eating 5-6 ccs of 1 part powdered esbilac to two parts water every four hours, and is defecating and urinating well. Shes also squirming around like crazy and looks like she will open her eyes soon.

Since getting her last week I have tried contacting more rehabers in my area by phone and email, and have not gotton any responses. I would keep her and release her back into the wild myself, but I am not licensed, and I no longer live in the house I did when I released my other squirrel. There are a lot of stray cats around my area now, and I am very nervous about trying to release a squirrel here later on down the road when shes ready.

So, if anyone knows of someone in central CT that is licensed and could do a slow realease with this baby later on down the road, please let me know. I'm not in a huge rush, I have the time to take care of her now, and it should be fine for a while longer, I do have a cage she can go into once she opens her eyes, but like I said, I really wouldnt feel comfortable relasing her here. Im also worried about the fact that winter is not to far away, and I dont want to have to winter this baby indoors all season, but again, would feel uncomfortable because of the cats if I released her and tried feeding her outside.

Thanks for any help in advance

-Megan

[Pointy Tale]

Dear Megan—
Hi and Welcome to TSB. Thank you for wanting to help these little one. I know you are not online right now, but if you could please sign back on, a TSB Rehabber may be able to help you to help this little one. I am going to see which TSB rehbabber is online now to help you, OK.
Below is a list of Rehabbers here in.

Connecticut, Central
Connecticut, Central region, Middlesex County (Durham)..... 860-349-1433 (H) or 860-349-3485 (Durham Vet Hospital)
Gina D'Alessio, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
wildoneswaystation@yahoo.com
Specialty: rabies vector species

Connecticut, Central region (East Hampton)..... 860-267-0061
Skip Hilliker, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
Wildlife Species: all mammals and birds

Connecticut, Central region (Southington)..... 860-276-8433
Jayne Amico, The Recovery Wing
Recoverywing@cox.net">Recoverywing@cox.net
Wildlife Species: migratory songbirds
In the meantime, here is some general information:

I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL, NOW WHAT??

This thread will assist you in dealing with the first few hours of finding an injured or orphaned baby squirrel. In most cases we would urge you to find a qualified wildlife rehabilitator ASAP, but please follow these guidelines to stabilize and keep the squirrel safe:

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. Find a Box or Container
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.

Supplies You Will Need:
--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.


PINKY SQUIRRELS: THE FOUR MAGIC WORDS

WARMTH: a heating pad on low, under half their container (not under THEM) is best. Plastic tubs or terrariums are good because the environment is more humid and their skin doesn't dry out. When feeding a pinky, if your hands are warm you can use tissue paper to wrap and hold him...if your hands are cold, WARM a cloth or glove before picking up the pinky or you will chill him instantly.

HYDRATION: pinkies need hydration in the form of formula -- or Pedialyte in the beginning -- at least every 2.5 hrs. This means getting up at least once during the night. I get up twice, and it still means they will go 3.5 hrs sometimes without food but it's usually ok. If they look flat and skinny when you get up to feed them, you are not feeding OFTEN enough. Sorry kids, it's a rough gig those first 2 weeks.

CONSISTENCY: consistent heat.....consistent feedings....if your schedule is going to make you sporadic or unpredictable in caring for these teeny-weenies, give them to someone who has the time to care for them properly. If you don't have a heating pad, GET ONE, without an auto shut-off. Microwave disks are too unpredictable for pinkies and may cook them. Hot water bottles don't last nearly long enough for these fragile babies.

PATIENCE: Feed pinkies slo-o-o--owly. Very slowly. Teeny drop by teeny drop, preferably with a 0.5 (1/2) cc syringe or a 1cc at the LARGEST. Use a nipple attachment for best results. Go very, very slowly. If it takes you 15 minutes to get half a cc of formula into a pinky, yer doin' it perfectly. This is how we avoid aspiration, the #1 cause of death in pinkies and the reason why "some say" there is only a 50% success rate in saving them.

[Embyr23]

Im logged back on now, should be on for another half hour till I have to feed the squirrel again and then leave for work. If Im not on later, I can be emailed at embyr23@yahoo.com and then provide my cell phone number.

- Megan

[Pointy Tale]

Megan, are you still there? Please stay online, I am trying to get someone to help you, OK, please refresh your screen to read new posts, OK.

[Pointy Tale]

OK, stay here, I'll be right back.

[Embyr23]

Will do, thank you

[Pointy Tale]

How old is it? Eyes closed? Pink or furry? (If you can post a pic, that will help)

Does it look injured at all? How did the man find them exactly by animal (cat, especially?)?

[Embyr23]

Going by the pictures Ive seen online Id say shes about 4.5 to 5 weeks. Upper teeth just came in a few days ago, shes a lot furrier than she was a week ago, and is getting the adult squirrel coloration in. Shes entirely gray now with orange feet and ears, tail is starting to fluff up. Shes not injured. The man said he found them in his yard after a storm. As far as I know he made no attempt to introduce them back to the mother, and by the time I got them hed already had them for three days.

[Pointy Tale]

Hi, I have just PM'd a potential TSB Rehabber in CT. I am waiting a response. Can you still stay on online?

[Bugsie]

Hi, I have just PM'd a potential TSB Rehabber in CT. I am waiting a response. Can you still stay on online?


Is it Wendi

[Embyr23]

Yes, I can stay on for a while longer. I have a few pics of her. Is there any way to post them just by uploading them from your computer? If not, I can email them to you if you like.

[Pointy Tale]

Is it Wendi

I do not who Wendi is, I PM's squirrelfairy and am going to try to email her now, is that OK with all, or is there another better suggestions.

Embyr23: If you're getting bumped out of the system, please just refresh your screen or if you can sign back in. I am working hard to get you some help.

[Bugsie]

Embyr23

You might also try this # 860-642-7426 and ask for Wendi..
She is in CT but I am not sure if she is still rehabbing:poke

[Embyr23]

Like I posted above, its not an emergency, so please dont go to crazy! The squirrel is doing very well, and I do have some experience with this, so shes not in any immediate danger. (she was last week, but not anymore) I just want to make sure I can find someone because Im not going to be able to eventually release her here, and like I said, I have been very unsuccessful so far with finding anyone.

[Pointy Tale]

Embyr23: OK, I will be right back.

[Legomom]

I'm on the phone with Chris now....she's willing to help, but can't get on the board.
Call her, please....860-749-1129.
She will hook you up!

PS - Squirrely or admin....Chris can remember her log in/password. Can you email her?

[Bugsie]

I'm on the phone with Chris now.


:thumbsup :thumbsup

[pamela lee]

I'm on the phone with Chris now.
:thankyou :thumbsup
HI Embyr23, Thank you for saving this little baby and so sorry you lost the other 2. The sooner you can find a rehabber the better for the little fuzzer. Not that you're not doing a fabulous job but they really need to have someone to grow-up with. Babies do soooo much better when in pairs or in groups, mostly if they are going to be released. I always feel so bad when I have an only child. Good Luck finding someone.

[Embyr23]

I just spoke to Chris, she gave me two contacts, or can take the baby if no one else can. Thanks so much everyone!

[Pointy Tale]

Bugsie, pamela lee, Legomom and Chris and everyone here at TSB:
Thanks everyone for helping me, My computer frozen up and rebooted, I just back online now, sorry about that. You guys are the best!!

[Cecil]

Wow. :bowdown

[Legomom]

:thankyou Embyr23, PT & everyone else! Great teamwork! :thumbsup

[island rehabber]

:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

[Embyr23]

Just wanted to say thAnks again. The baby is going to a licensed rehabber near me tommorow, and will have three other babies about her age to be raised with. :) I'm so happy for her!

[Legomom]

Wonderful news, Embyr! Thanks for doing everything that you could for her! :thumbsup

[Pointy Tale]

Wow! This is Great News to hear. So quickly, Embyr23, thank you so much for caring for this one. You will all be in my prayers.

I'm sorry, did you mention whether or not the rehabber is part of TSB so we can follow the progress? Just curious.

Thank you everyone!!!!:) Happy News!!!