Injured Baby Squirrel

[Serbearus]

Hey everyone. I really need some help here. On Friday at around 6 I caught my dog with the baby squirrel in her mouth. I got it out, checked on it and didn't see any wounds. I went to put him outside my yard, in the area I always saw it's mother running in and out of. However, once I set it down, I realized the injuries were much worse. He was crawling, showing no use of his back legs. Instantly, I assumed he was paralyzed and went to pick him up and take him inside. I put him in a box with a blanket in it. I tried calling vets that day and they were all closed. I found out later that night he was bleeding out of his nose, which I assumed was internal bleeding. I tried to make him comfortable, read up on Squirrels and put a heating pad under his box along with keeping him in a darker quiet room.

I really thought he would be dead by the time I woke up the next day. However, he wasn't. He was eating, having eaten all the bits of strawberries I put in there, chirping and moving around, still without the use of his legs. So, I tried calling a few vets again. This time, I was told that they either did not take them, would not take them, have never taken them and finally that the little guy was probably going to die. So, giving up on that alternative, I began looking up stuff on the internet and found out about the rehab places. So, I sent some messages out to rehabs areas near me. While I am hoping and waiting for a response from people who can help him more then I can, I really need advice on how to take care of him on the meantime. Also, maybe some other alternatives then the rehab if they don't respond back. I already adore this little guy, he's fighting so hard and I want to do my best to help.

Here is some information on him. He is old enough to have his eyes open and move around quickly. He is still pretty tiny though. He seems like he is paralyzed from the waist down, but he is still able to use his tail. He is eating strawberries, pooping, chirping and I just finally got him to drink. I am going to the store today to grab pedolyte that I hear was suppose to help them. He won't drink water, but he'll drink juice. I also heard mashing up bits of dog food and cat food might be a good alternative, but he won't eat that.

I'm not a professional at this, not even close, so if I am doing something horribly wrong, please let me know immediately. I am trying my best, I've been studying squirrels for almost two days now trying to understand what I can personally do. I read a few things on this board and you guys seem like real professionals that care a lot. If you guys have any advice, or even have more information, please let me know. I'd really appreciate it.

[jo_schmoe]

If he is that young....he will need formula. Fox Valley is the best! It can take a few days to get to you so in the meantime I would use Jackies goats mik formula. If he was still around his mother....he was still nursing. They require quite a bit of calcium so the formula is really in need. Even though you may not see any injuries....that doesn't mean there aren't any. Bleeding out of the nose scares me.
Jackie (Jackie in Tampa) has graciously offered her temporary replacement formula recipe.
Jackie's Goat Milk Recipe
1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt.

[jo_schmoe]

And here is Nick the owner of Fox Valleys info. He is a great guy and will do just about anything to help. Make sure you are using a syringe 3cc or smaller to feed. You can get those from Chris' squirrels and more. SHe is also a great lady. Don't feed the dog and cat food anymore. It can cause problems.
Nicholas P. Vlamis, President (Nick)
(800) 679-4666

http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/category/1410&cfid=28280731&cftoken=31565127/squirrel-and-other-animal-rehab-supplies.htm
you can also order the FV from Chris or a member we have here called 4skwerls. She just recently rushed an order to me bless her heart! Here is her website www.henryshealthypets.com

[island rehabber]

First, thank you for rescuing him! All good advice from jo above!
The fact that he can use his tail is very encouraging, as it MAY mean the paralysis is not permanent. Juice is ok but the Pedialyte is better for him right now. You can also offer him veggies like cut-up raw sweet potato, chickory, kale, snow pea pods, broccoli, caulflower. A chunk of apple or pear is a good treat. No peanuts or sunflower seeds :nono :).
Where are you in CA? We have some CA members and rehabbers who may be able to help....

[Serbearus]

Okay, got it. Goat's milk, heavy cream and the yogurt. I'm putting that on my list right now. Thank you for the heads up! The bleeding out of the nose scares me too. I'm not entirely sure what is physically wrong with him. Thank you so much for the fast reply, Jo. I'll make sure not to try and feed him anymore cat or dog food. Thank you for the links as well, I am looking through them right after I post this.

Oh my goodness, I am so relieved it may not be permanent. Oh my gosh! I am so happy you told me that. My friend brought over a bag of sunflower seeds she said would help him. Wow, I was gunna feed him some before I left for the store. Not now! Phew. Okay, I am putting all this on my grocery list. Thank you for the fast reply. By the way, are strawberries good for him? Or are those more like the treats?

I live in Southern California in the Inland empire. I am in Hesperia, specifically.

Thank you guys again for the fast replies!

[jo_schmoe]

Okay, got it. Goat's milk, heavy cream and the yogurt. I'm putting that on my list right now. Thank you for the heads up! The bleeding out of the nose scares me too. I'm not entirely sure what is physically wrong with him. Thank you so much for the fast reply, Jo. I'll make sure not to try and feed him anymore cat or dog food. Thank you for the links as well, I am looking through them right after I post this.

Oh my goodness, I am so relieved it may not be permanent. Oh my gosh! I am so happy you told me that. My friend brought over a bag of sunflower seeds she said would help him. Wow, I was gunna feed him some before I left for the store. Not now! Phew. Okay, I am putting all this on my grocery list. Thank you for the fast reply. By the way, are strawberries good for him? Or are those more like the treats?

I live in Southern California in the Inland empire. I am in Hesperia, specifically.

Thank you guys again for the fast replies!
All fruit is more of a treat. My rule is no fruit till your veggies are all gone!! But Im a mean ole mama!!! You are very very welcome. Just paying it forward for all the help I have recieved here. Good luck and my prayers are with you.

[UDoWhat]

Hi and :Welcome Here is another link that will be of help to you. Please read the section about needing heat if he feels cold at all.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21626
Ask all the questions you need to.

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[CritterMom]

What kind of squirrel? A tree squirrel like a gray for fox squirrel? Or is it a ground squirrel of some kind.

Is he still bleeding?

[Scooterzmom]

For the Pedialyte, try to get the fruit flavored one, they like that one better. Also, do not feed pedialyte for more than 24hrs. Make sure the formula is nice and warm - mom's body is at 102F so the formula has to be just as warm, and the baby itself needs to feel warm for feeding him. Make sure the heating pad is under half of his box, so he can move off it if he feels too hot. Try not to use towels as blankets - their claws can catch in the loops and make it hard for them or cause additional injury. Use fleece if you can, or old t-shirts. Make sure he can go hide in there and be snug. I like to make them a rice buddy* even if I have a heating pad on... makes them feel like there may be another sibling with them.

*Uncooked rice inside a sock and placed in the microwave to warm it up

Thank you for caring for this little one. Keeping you in my prayers.

[Serbearus]

Okie dokie! Got it, Strawberries are their treats. I'll make sure to stack up on the veggie!

Thank you for the link. I read up and had to turn my heating pad down for the little guy.

I think he is a ground squirrel.

He only bled a little bit on the first night and since then he hasn't at all.

Alrighty, so the flavored ones. I am gunna go switch out the towels for an old shirt right now before I go. I gotta go grab rice too, I have like no healthy food in the kitchen. I think the rice buddy will be perfect because I have no doubt he is lonely.

Thank you guys again. This board is amazing, you all are so wonderful!

[Serbearus]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to let you guys know that Frank the squirrel is doing well. I found an amazing bunch of people at the Moonridge Zoo who rehabilitate wildlife. I brought him in today and they assured me that they would take excellent care of him and they even brought up a vet as I was there so he could be looked at instantly. So, the little guy is gunna be alright. I gotta thank you guys, with all the information you gave me, I was able to finally get him to drink liquids and eat healthier. He had become a lot more active. I don't know what I would have done without this board. You guys really helped me insure that he made it. Thank you all so much! :)

[Twi_prime]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to let you guys know that Frank the squirrel is doing well. I found an amazing bunch of people at the Moonridge Zoo who rehabilitate wildlife. I brought him in today and they assured me that they would take excellent care of him and they even brought up a vet as I was there so he could be looked at instantly. So, the little guy is gunna be alright. I gotta thank you guys, with all the information you gave me, I was able to finally get him to drink liquids and eat healthier. He had become a lot more active. I don't know what I would have done without this board. You guys really helped me insure that he made it. Thank you all so much! :)

They really are great here. I'm a newbee myself. Nice job helping the little one. :)