newly found baby striped gopher

[duder]

I just found a Thirteen-lined ground squirrel yesterday and I've been searching for info.I've read up on it a bit and after doing the tent test(pinch)and I realized its really dehydrated.I made some of the homemade pedilite stuff and been using a syringe but been having a had time getting it to drink.

I can maybe get it to drink a few drops but then it stops.I've been trying about once a hour.The syringe is a little big from what I can read what I should have but its all I got at the moment.
Any tricks I should try?

I also got a heating pad for it and going to go get formula tomorrow.

From what I understand from my mother who brought me it, the mother is dead and she found it on the side walk.they gave it heavy whipping cream and brought it to me about 8 hours later.It has pooped but also puked the cream up a few hours after I got it. since then I've been trying to dehydrate it but its been tricky getting it to drink.

Any advice would be helpful.
I assume a baby ground squirrel's needs aren't much different than a reg ones.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/darbnoslo/P1010061.jpg
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/darbnoslo/P1010060.jpg
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/darbnoslo/P1010058.jpg

[CritterMom]

Beautiful baby.

If you can only get a few drops in, give it at 15-30 minute intervals, not hours. You must completely rehydrate before you feed.

Are you heating the rehydration fluid?

Are you using flavored pedialyte or the home made fluid (1 teaspoon salt/3 Tablespoons sugar/1 quart water)? Whichever it is, try the other. Some babies strongly favor the home made; others are in love with orange pedialyte :dono

If you do this really frequently if it is in small amounts, you can get him rehydrated in fairly quick order.

Then go to www.foxvalleynutrition.com and email Nick, the owner - send a pic - and see what he suggests for formula. I would THINK 32/40 but not sure...

[duder]

Thanks for the fast reply

I made the home stuff,and i put the syringe in a cup semi-hot water to warm it up.I might go get some pedialyte .It gets so squirmy at first when i pick it up,takes a bit to get it positioned right.

I'll keep trying more often,it does seem to get cold fast and starts to shiver after a few minutes.

any idea of the age of this one?I'm thinking its pretty your being how small it is.

[pappy1264]

Take a small sock, fill it with rice and heat for a minute, put a piece of fleece over it and you can lie him on that while you feed him to help him retain his body heat. He is very young, since his eyes are closed. You may need to get him sub-q'd esp. if he is that dehydrated. I would suggest trying to find a licensed rehabber near you so this baby can get all it needs, if possible.

[duder]

I give that a try with the heated rice sack

The only place i could find for mn wildlife rehab is about 140 miles away.I might call them to see if any are in my area.Is there a site i could find where people are listed?

[Nancy in New York]

I give that a try with the heated rice sack

The only place i could find for mn wildlife rehab is about 140 miles away.I might call them to see if any are in my area.Is there a site i could find where people are listed?

Try this, there is also a number to call.
http://www.wrcmn.org/

Right on the left hand side, in the light grey, are different areas in the state to call.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/index.html

This is by state.

http://www.wildcarebayarea.org/site/DocServer/9-16-10_correction.html?docID=381

This is a pdf file, and an excellent source.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/rehabers_list.pdf

[CritterMom]

But when you call, before you identify yourself, make sure you inquire what their policy is toward eyes-closed babies. Some are not so good.

In the meantime, rehydrate!

[duder]

I called the mn rehab center which is about 150miles from me and they gave me a number to a transporter for the center since theres no rehabber close to me.She lives about 80 miles from me and didn't seem to want to help so she gave me a number to a rehabber about 100 miles from me. Talked to her and she didn't want to take it.
Not sure what to do now,problem is I don't have a drivers license or decent enough car that I would drive out of town.Thinking about finding someone to drive me to meet the transporter half way(40miles) but then she would still need to drive 110 miles to get it to the rehab center and she didn't seem like she was up for all that driving today in the first place.Kind of unsure what to do now:dono

The baby is starting to drink more.Been giving it a few drops every half hour.I noticed one eye has opened now too.I hope its not because of the stress of me holding while I feed it.It seems a bit small yet to have open eyes but I don't know.:dono

[CritterMom]

How is this little one doing?

[duder]

Its still alive and both eyes are now open.got some powdered milk replacer for puppies and mixing that with heavy whipping cream.Thinking I might even get some yogurt to mix with it too.
It seems a bit more hydrating now.I used the rice in a sock and that is working well for feeding.It still is stubborn when i try to give it the syringe and wants to crawl away or move its head when i put the end up to its mouth.After a few minutes it seems to tire and will sit still so i can feed it.I let a drop form at the end of the syringe and then put it up to its mouth.Most of the time it ends up running down his chin but sometimes he will swallow it.been trying to keep him dry with a tissue as much as possible.
My mom stopped by and was surprised it was still alive.I'm going to try to figure out a way to get it to the rehab place tomorrow I hope.

Any more advice or suggestions anyone has is greatly appreciated.:bowdown

[Rhapsody]

OMG!! He is too CUTE - Can I have HIM and Carry HIM in My BRA with ME? :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :Love_Icon

[Twi_prime]

:bowdown to you, Duder. I hope you have good luck getting him to a rehabber who'll give him a chance.