Freddie may need a forever home?

[mlongo]

This is Freddie. 2 little boys found him on the ground with a bit of blood in his nose. They gave him a bath and put him in a flower pot. (bless their hearts...they meant well) A grown up heard him screeching and 24 hours later he found his way here.
He is not progressing like a normal baby and he shows signs of a (slight?) head injury. His eyes opened July 2nd and he is still in a starter cage. His symptoms were worse at the beginning. Toes on his front feet would occasionally be curled underneath when he put weight on them, his eyes looked funky...I really can't explain it, but they didn't look right. He had no interest in his surroundings and he slept anywhere, anytime, all the time. After about 3-4 days there were some small improvements. Currently, he is totally aware and curious of his surroundings. Stays awake for normal amounts of time....He will sit up to clean his face but not to eat. He can climb but won't (was startled late one night and flew ALL OVER the cage) He climbs around on me a bit more each day, and he's becoming more "normal" in that aspect really well. He is getting 15cc FV 3xday and has nearly tripled in size. He is a total love bug and cute as a button.
My concern here is Freddie may end up not being able to be released. I need to find him a possible forever home....(he's also very lonely...I currently have 3 others but they are ready to start on their release so obviously not an option for a cagemate)
He is making progress every day, but I have no way of knowing if he will make a full recovery. I understand that if he does indeed need to be placed, the bonding process is very important with his forever mom. I can't take on a permanent baby at this time... His not being able to hold food in his hands correctly is causing great concern. If we can find someone in the Tampa Bay Area who would be willing to keep him if he isn't able to be released, my prayers to St. Francis will be answered....and in a wonderful way!
I'm hoping someone can help my little "Short-Tree Climber"!
:bowdown

[Lulu2010]

Oh, he's precious! I'm sure he will find a wonderful home in no time. You will probably have many volunteers to choose from. If I had the time and space and was in FL, I'd love to have him. Boy is he a cutie! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[mlongo]

:thankyou
I hope so! He's such an amazing little boy. I wish I could keep him but due a family illness, I can't take on a permanent baby right now. Keep your fingers crossed for us!! :)

[SammysMom]

He is darling!!! I am sure he will be sought after! :grouphug :thumbsup :grouphug

[island rehabber]

mlongo, did you truly mean his eyes opened July 2, or June 2? Because if it was July he is only 7 wks old at the most and it's really too soon to judge. If he's 11 weeks, if it was June, then I can understand your concern. He looks very normal -- not a "Downs" baby or a dwarf.....he may be developmentally slow but eventually able to be released. Possibly someone can take him with that in mind, that he needs a Reeeeeealllllly Extra-Slooooooow release.:D I raised a baby like him once who just lagged behind his siblings by 2-3 wks in everything. Once I released him, though, at 6 mos old, he was fine. :)

[mlongo]

Yes I mean July 2nd....and he MAY need a forever home. I'm hoping he is just slow, but the symptoms he was exhibiting at the beginning pretty much indicated a head injury. I'm just a novice at this, he is my 20th rescue. I have never dealt with a head injury and he IS making some progress. I'm just concerned that he can't hold food in his little hands and he's not really doing the things a baby squirrel should be doing. He may very well end up being releasable at some point, but I'm trying to be realistic and face the chance that he may not. Due to the situation with my sister's illness and being out of state I can't make any long term squirrely plans at the moment. I'm trying to cover all of Freddie's bases here....I hope that I am just being an overly neurotic foster mom!! :dono

[island rehabber]

I'm trying to cover all of Freddie's bases here....I hope that I am just being an overly neurotic foster mom!! :dono

Better to be a bit overly protective than completely blase', right? :rotfl You're doing the right thing. :thumbsup

[Heartbroken]

Ok, put him on the plane!!!!!

Oh yeah the boarder :(

[mlongo]

I'll get him a green card...hahaha :tilt He does make progress everyday....today for the first time ever he was finally on a branch in his cage! just about ground level and standing on it perfectly still...but hey! We'll take it!
:wahoo baby steps.....
If he's going to be with me awhile I really need to find him a cagemate. It always amazes me how much they learn from watching others. Such fabulous little creatures!

[BeeFernandez22]

Oh goodness.. What a sweetheart! Freddie was the name of my first dog. Got him when I was 5 and had him for 15 wonderful years. Sure wish I was closer.. would love to take him in. Put him on the train with Scram :)

[Peanuts mom]

How is freddie? I just saw your thread and if you can get him to Texas he is more the welcome in our home!!!

[mlongo]

Thank you so much everyone! :bowdown Island Rehabber was right!! Freddie has made AMAZING progress over the last 4-5 days! He climbed up ontop of his popcorn bucket/nest box, he sat up with a small pice of pecan grasped in his little hands and ate it all by himself, and this morning FINALLY climbed up the branch in his cage!! :wahoo
All the special attention has also spoiled him rotten. He now sits in front of the cage door and screeches until I come pick him up...lol I'm trying to find a cagemate for him (a bit younger since Freddie is a couple weeks behind)
I do believe he will be able to be released one day and I am SOOOO thankful!!:wott Again....thank you all for your offers, words of encouragement and most excllent advice!!

[Jackie in Tampa]

I would love to meet Freddie...
my NRBF is Freddie and my big kitty is Freddie...my neighbor Bob calls alll sqs Freddie...so I guess you can say I love me some freddies!!!!!
I am here and keep all suppplies needed for sqs, have great and seriously close vet...I will help in any way I can...ty for caring and sharing!
Go Freddie GO!!!

[mlongo]

Thank you miss Jackie and you can meet Freddie anytime you happen to be in St. Pete if you would like! Do you happen to know of anyone who may have a young one (approx 6-7 wks) they would be willing to give to us as a cage mate for Freddie?

[Jackie in Tampa]

I will keep you in mind when the doorbell rings! You betcha!!!!:thumbsup

[mlongo]

:thankyou :crazy

[Twi_prime]

Nice job, Freddie! :)

[crazy4squirrels]

I know someone that may have a cage mate or two if you want. Message me and I can get some info from you and then make a call and hook you up. I have a person that is in need of someone to foster.

[mlongo]

Sorry for the delay in replying. Just got back in town today with my sister. She has cancer and things went downhill very quickly. Hospice is here. I had to give all 4 of my squirrels to another rehabber. Thank you SO MUCH for trying to help with Freddie....his is doing extremely well, is cagemate/friend with Cujo....one of my older babies! And they now live with RambosMom who is a member on here as well. Again....thank you for caring about my little Freddy! :Love_Icon