Babys found, no mom

[NovaAlison23]

A couple hours ago we found a beautiful baby boy, we think about 5-6 weeks. He seems in good health except he won't drink pedialight. About 20 minutes ago we found another one under the porch. Both are in a nesting box, snuggled together, half over a heating pad, half off.
They both want water neither wants to touch the pedia (maybe they are too old?) The first little guy as of the last little bit wont open his eyes. I wonder if it's just from the stress of the day.
Is there anyone local who can help "Captian Jack Squirello" and the new baby (We haven't figure out a sex on this one yet, it was so cold when we found it, it went right into the box next to it's brother.
I don't want to lose these guys, please.
I can try to attach a pic to follow so you can help me guess age.

[Milo's Mom]

Here is some preliminary info to help you until the Rehabbers get here.

Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels
Originally posted by Island Rehabber, NY State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

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.
NOTES:
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. 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.

[NovaAlison23]

We pinched the first guys neck, it almost immediately went back down. As I said, I can't say much for the second guy. I tried the pedia, he wouldn't touch it, but he will take plain water. The second baby has been sitting in the tree most of the day watching us. We haven't seen mom all day. It's a huge tree, I don't even think a decent ladder would get near the nest for us to check it out. (We're concerned there are more babies in there).
It's Sunday night, I just need to make sure these babies make it until I can get them to my vet in the morning.

[CritterMom]

Nova Alison, see the home made pedialyte recipe in the post above? Try this instead of the commercial stuff - they seem to like it better.

Can you post a general location - large town you live near. We don't have a lot of folks on her from Colorado...

[NovaAlison23]

I live near Boulder. I will try the home made recipe right now. Thanks.

[CritterMom]

They will need food starting tomorrow. Here is info - for some to order, a permanent formula, and also a home made formula you can make to use until the other comes in:

***While waiting for the Fox Valley to arrive...

Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula

Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.

One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:

3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.

*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.

When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.
__________________

[NovaAlison23]

I already bought all that, I just haven't given them any. I will be starting the home made pedia in a few (man had to go to the store, I was out of sugar). The first guy is very friendly, so feeding shouldn't be an issue. The unknown gender one is so scared of me he cowers when I put my hand near them (They moved the blanket and were laying on the box on top the heating pad, they were hot to the touch, so I made them put a layer of blanket back under them).

[CritterMom]

When you wrap the scared baby, flip the cloth down over its eyes - that may calm it enough to eat. You can also make a rice buddy - pour a little rice into the toe of a sock (dry rice) until the lump is a little smaller than the squirrel. Heat it in the micro for about 30 seconds or so until it is warm (smoosh it in your hands for a few minutes to make sure you don;t have hot spots. Slip it under the baby so it it sprawled on top of the rice buddy which should come up to the chin. Then wrap the baby and buddy together like a burrito to feed. It makes them feel like their sib is right there with them, they will wrap their little arms around the rice buddy.

[NovaAlison23]

The second one refuses to allow the blanket to be between himself and the heating pad, could it be that cold? Should I allow it to do so, or pull him from the box, and put him in a separate box with a rice buddy? The first baby is all snuggled into the blanket off the heating pad, passed out. I called the vet, they said best I can do is take them to the rehab center in the morning (They have a posting that they are desperate for people to care for squirrels, they have over 300 in the place already).
I'm thinking I may take them in there, and ask to rehab them myself. I have done a ton of reading today, my only concern is that I have dogs (They are not aggressive towards them, but I fear that when released they will not fear dogs). Any ideas to know if there are more babies in that nest? We've discussed getting tree climbing shoes, but its 7:30 on a Sunday night, and most local stores are closed.

[NovaAlison23]

Update:
Jack drank some homemade pedia, he loves it, then snuggled down for bed.
"Jill" She is indeed a female, just ate some pedia, and is snuggled with her rice buddy and her brother. The are currently in a drawer with a blanket and a heating pad under half of them. They were both eager to drink the new solution, and both wrapped their paws around the syringe so it couldn't go anywhere.
Please tell me if there is anything else I can do for them at this point. I'm so happy they both took liquid.
Thank you for all your help with that.

[island rehabber]

I would leave them together. The heating pad should be under their container, not under THEM. The restless one may need to burrow...give him more cloth or fleece to burrow into.
I am concerned about the wildlife center, as Colorado does not allow non-licensed members of the public to keep wildlife. They may confiscate them and, since they are overwhelmed with babies, euthanize them. Get clear statements from them as to what they will do before you hand them over. :peace

EDIT: just read your update. :) Very good news. Hydrating them and warming them is key right now. If you feel confident that the wildlife center will actually care for them, great. If not, tomorrow you will want to start them on the goat's milk formula and hopefully Fox Valley formula once it's been delivered to your newly squirrel-centric home. :)

[astra]

I
I am concerned about the wildlife center, as Colorado does not allow non-licensed members of the public to keep wildlife. They may confiscate them and, since they are overwhelmed with babies, euthanize them. Get clear statements from them as to what they will do before you hand them over. :peace

if possible, wouldn't deal with wildlife center at all. Even if you ask them as to what they will do with the babies, they may not tell you the truth, but something to keep you happy. They are not really obligated to report to the general public.
if possible at all, would rather raise them myself and then release them...
of course, if possible...

[NovaAlison23]

They are in the bottom drawer of a 3 drawer plastic dresser and the heating pad is under the entire unit, there is maybe 1/2 an inch between the drawer and the heating pad. Both are snuggled together, I just gave "Jill" a rice buddy too since she seemed so cold (She was alone outside for over 12 hours before we could get her out of the tree).

Does anyone have any info on how to become liscensed? I will not allow anyone to kill the babies I have spent the last 12 hours keeping alive. I didn't leave any information on myself on their voicemail, just was going to call them again in the morning.
It is unlawful for persons to possess most exotic species unless it is for commercial purposes. Persons may, however, possess up to 6 live native reptiles, and unregulated wildlife. Unregulated wildlife includes but is not limited to: sugar gliders, wallabies, wallaroos, kangaroos, etc. <-- this is all I can find on our local regulations. If I can have a kangaroo, why couldn't I have a squirrel? lol

If Jack wasn't dehydrated much at all at 9 am this morning, do I start him on the goat milk mix at 9am tomorrow morning, and Jill about 3-4 since thats when I got her?

I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions, We've rehabbed many cats, my dog that I currently still have, and other animals, but never had a baby squirrel fall into my hands.

[SammysMom]

You can NEVER ask too many questions! Welcome to the place that is always happy to help save a baby!:Welcome
Thank-you for caring enough to ask the questions that will keep your babies healthy! I will leave the questions to more experienced, but please never apologize for wanting to do things right!

[astra]

I, too, will leave these very specific questions to the experts.
I'll just say that, usually, even if babies don't seem dehydrated, it is suggested to use hydrate them first (because often mild dehydration might not be as obvious, but they dehydrate easily and fast).
However, it is also suggested not to use pedialyte for longer than 24 hours (because of the salt content and its effect). After that, a formula is usually introduced, but not full-strength, somewhat diluted depending on the baby's condition - but let experts elaborate on that.

If you have to continue hydrating fluid, make homemade without the salt (some ppl sweeten water with some apple juice etc).

Never mix pedialyte with formula. If needed, you could alternate them (1 feeding pedialyte, 1 feeding formula), but never mix together.

But these are general guidelines.
The experts will make more specific suggestions for Jack and Jill:) :grouphug

PS and it's better to keep the heating pad under 1/2 of the container, so that if they get too hot, they can move off it onto the other half

[NovaAlison23]

The heating pad is only under the back half of their drawer.
Jack has been on water and pedia all day (he wouldn't drink any pedia until I got here and got the recipie for the home made one. Jill is brand new, and was too cold to give pedia too until about an hour ago.
Do I have to night feed them?

[astra]

Do I have to night feed them?
depending on how old/young they are...again, the experts will advise you on that:grouphug :)

[Mrs Skul]

:Welcome Hi NovaAlison23 :wave123
Can you post a picture of them so we can Identify them and check the age? The one baby was probably in SHOCK.
If you wont to raise them. Then don't take them in. We can help you raise and do a soft release. If the Other Rehabber have that many babies already. Your Babies will probably be put down. :shakehead Just keep and feed them and we will help you out if necessary.
Keep checking under and around the tree. Their is possibly 1 more. Just keep your eyes, and ears open.
Here are 3 cites you can order supply's from. You will need a 1Lb Bag of FoxVally 32/40,
Some 1 and 3 cc ORing syringes, and Silicone Mothering nipples or Criss favorites.:thumbsup3
When ordering 4Squirrels can get the FoxVally there Faster/ Cheaper then Nick FV. :D
http://henryspets.com
http://foxvalleynutrition.com/main/prod.asp
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/


PS
Just let us know if we can help!
Good Luck with the 2 little Babies. :grouphug

[NovaAlison23]

http://i52.tinypic.com/e9jfnq.jpg

^^ Jill, finally sleeping with a full belly of home made pedia

http://i52.tinypic.com/keta9w.jpg

^^Jack, he has looked like that off and on all day. He's the one who's not afraid of us.

[SammysMom]

What little darlings!!!:Welcome :Welcome :Welcome

[Mrs Skul]

:Love_Icon I am in love What cutie little Foxres. :Love_Icon
Yes probably 5 weeks old.:thumbsup3 Good call!
NovaAllison Have you pulled the skin between the shoulders and let it go. Does it go back in place quickly? Are they Still Dehydrated? :thinking

[Adventurista]

I would leave them together. The heating pad should be under their container, not under THEM. The restless one may need to burrow...give him more cloth or fleece to burrow into.
I am concerned about the wildlife center, as Colorado does not allow non-licensed members of the public to keep wildlife. They may confiscate them and, since they are overwhelmed with babies, euthanize them. Get clear statements from them as to what they will do before you hand them over. :peace

EDIT: just read your update. :) Very good news. Hydrating them and warming them is key right now. If you feel confident that the wildlife center will actually care for them, great. If not, tomorrow you will want to start them on the goat's milk formula and hopefully Fox Valley formula once it's been delivered to your newly squirrel-centric home. :)


I'm worried about the wildlife center, too. When I called around, I was told my baby would likely be fed to a raptor rehab. :shakehead

My old vet is actually now in Conifer, CO, which is about an hour away from you. She's amazing---if she can't help you, she might be able to give you some advice and would tell you whether she would be forced to confisicate them. I'll send you her info in a PM, along with my info so you can tell her how you found out about her.

[NovaAlison23]

Jack's skin bounced right back when we found him this morning.
Jill is still pretty in the air, as I assume stressing her by scaring her would be worse than just giving her a little pedia... I am planning on waking them and giving them more pedia in about 1/2 an hour (4 hours since last) just so I know I can get at least 4 hours of sleep if they do need night feedings.
They have been sleeping like dead for the last 3 1/2 hours.
The info for the vet would be AMAZING. At the moment, were very cautious about who we talk to locally about them. I would hate to see them take from me after all the work to save them to have them put down elsewhere. And I think my man would fight off anyone who came to the door to touch them. (He's become a bit attached, but don't tell anyone). He's just coming to realize they cannot be kept as a house pet, but we are planning on letting them go in the front tree we found them in (They already have a nest there, and for years the squirrels have sat in that tree and thrown things at me, then yelled at me)

[Adventurista]

Did you get the message? Call her---she's my most favorite vet ever, and I was so sad when she moved, which was just recently. She will help you however she can, I know it. She went extra miles and miles with my dogs and I just think the world of her.:thumbsup

[NovaAlison23]

I don't see a message? I'm brand new here, but I dont see any spot for it, I'll keep searching.

[Adventurista]

I'm new too....can someone tell us if we can actually send messages, as new members? It's also not showing up in my message box...

I'm going to bed because I have to get up in three hours again! I'll get the info to you one way or another tomorrow, though! Trust the info these people give you on the board with feeding, etc. They're amazing. Order the Fox Valley formula and the recommended syringes and nipples on the Henry's Healthy Pet site, and make the temporary formula tomorrow. I received a pinky last week, and I don't know that he would still be alive and making cute noises at me if I hadn't found this forum. They're great.

[CritterMom]

You may not be able to - our board owner is travelling now and she may need to enable you. First, try this - at the top of the page at the far left side under the first little squirrel upi will see "User CP" Click and chose "Edit Options" and make sure everything regarding Private Messaging has been selected.

If this does not enable it, one of you are going to have to put their email addy on the main board.

[Rhapsody]

You can use my "Mother Natures Rescue" email (its public / on website) --and tell me what INFO to give whom and I will do it.

:thumbsup

[Rhapsody]

P.S.

HEY!! CRITTERMOM :wave123 ---if YOU are still on will YOU please check out my post in the ER section? ---Thx.

[Adventurista]

NovaAllison23, I'm going to try again. Your private messages are in the upper right hand corner of the page. If you can't get the messages, I'll send it to Rhapsody and she can hopefully get it to you. I just don't want to post private info for another person on a public board, esp. since I haven't asked her!

[NovaAlison23]

UPDATE!!!
Jill just took 5cc's for the first time, chirping between refills. The tent on her back lasts less than a second. She is still pretty afraid of me, but is doing so much better. She lets me hold her wrapped up in a soft pillow case, and run my finger down her head after eating.
Jack just ate 4 1/2 cc's and then cussed at me for 5 minutes afterward (I think hes ready for milk. His tent returns almost as soon as it goes up (I never actually saw a tent).
We got them a new home (plastic base metal cage sides). It was better then a drawer, and the heating pad can go under 1/2 of them.
Just want to say thank you all for being so wonderful and helping me in my time of panic. :thankyou


*Jacks cussing stopped the second he got a rat block*

[jo_schmoe]

How in the WORLD did I miss the addition of two foxer babies!!!!
They are soooooo cute!!!
:jump

[NovaAlison23]

lol, old post, there's 4 now. Found two more the next night literally hanging out of a tree. I posted pics in the nursery.