Baby black squirrel fell and is hurt

[dawnie413]

Baby black squirrel is about 12 weeks old.. Mother died and took babies and finished weening them.. We lost the grey girl early on.. but the two black boys have been thriving. but today we started release efforts and Little Shayvon fell from the wood house to the grground about 4 1/2 ft. He seemed ok.. but now keeps going into what appears to be seisures.. starting about 1/2 hour after the fall. He can run and climb otherwise. Spine got hurt? Im so upset. I took him and his brother back home to observe him. this is my first time with squirrels.. im a cat lady. i was freeing them in my moms yard because im moving to a roof deck with no yard and the cat who lives next door already tried to eat one of them. Any experience with this sort of thing? Squirrels arevin a spare room away from cats.

[skarabrae]

Gah! What are you feeding him?

The experts will weigh in soon. Get him somewhere quiet, in a smaller cage... with a heating pad half underneath.

[dawnie413]

Walnut, peanuts, almonds, oranges, apples. tried lettuce and carrots but dont eat that.. Used to have nutrition bites called monkey bites a rescue lady gave us. she saw him today and said to just watch him and put him in quiet room too. but want to be sure im not missing something. we ran out of monkey bites like 2 weeks ago. i dont know whats in em.

[Milo's Mom]

Okay. no more nuts. Period. NONE! They do not need them and they are not all that great for them anyway.

Only ONE small piece of fruit a day.

They MUST learn to eat their veggies or they will get sick. Romaine lettuce, kale, broccoli, snap peas, green beans, sweet potato, tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumber, zucchini, avocado (no skin or pit), etc. (see the Healthy Diet in the Nutrition Forum)

They will not starve themselves...they WILL eat the healthy food if that's the only thing there for them.

Clean out their stashes too.

No more nuts and fruit is a treat only.

Seizures might be from fall or they might be from the diet or they might be a combination of both.

[dawnie413]

Thank you

[skarabrae]

Read this http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32122 and follow the directions given...

A healthy squirrel isn't nearly as likely get hurt so badly from a 4.5 foot fall. :(

[Milo's Mom]

Sorry if I sound harsh, I was not trying to be. Just typing really fast.

[pappy1264]

What formula were they on? General rule is to try to keep them on formula as long as they will take it (the longer the better, provided it is a good formula.) Did you see the fall? Did he hit his head? Twelve weeks is a little young (most don't release until at least 16 weeks, many wait until 20 or more.) How long were they outside? Send me an email to this addy (I live in the same state, maybe I can help) pappy1264@yahoo.com

[skarabrae]

PS. at 12 weeks, they probably aren't yet ready to be released. Have you had them in an outdoor cage for several weeks?

[Milo's Mom]

Dawnie, here is the link to the Healthy Diet.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32218

Can you give us some history on them...what kind of formula did you have them on?

[dawnie413]

I feel awlful. I know no one means to be harsh. I loved their mom.. she was just a friendly outdoor black squirrel. She came to me one day hurt wiyh a big gash in her side and i talked to her a bit and she put her head down and i tried to go toward her and she took off and never came back. I lost the lil girl after i saved her from a cats mouth but she died the next day breathing funny. Fed them gatorade at first to hydrate them cuz it was all i had. then got some formula mix the rescue lady gave. i kept them warm and got them used to water and started eating solids. I will be sure to read everything i can about caring for them on the site.

[pappy1264]

Please email me, I live in the same state, and may be able to help. Let me know where you are in the email. pappy1264@yahoo.com

[Milo's Mom]

Dawnie, do not feel awful. You SAVED their lives! They would be dead without you. You managed to raise 2 of 3 squirrels. Cat attacks are very hard and they always need antibiotics.

You did the best you could with the info you had! Be proud of yourself! You did not know, now you do, let's get the diet changed and get these babies to the trees.

PLEASE e-mail Pappy!!! She is in the same state as you and she's one of our squirrel gods. She might even speak a little squirrel too. She is really nice, she will not take them from you unless you want her to. She only wants to help you. Please email her.

[dawnie413]

Ok.. email sent. Shayvon and Shaymus thank you too :)

[island rehabber]

:thumbsup N. E . S. T to the rescue again! (Northeast Emergency Squirrel Team :D:wott)

[Milo's Mom]

Ok.. email sent. Shayvon and Shaymus thank you too :)

Great! Thank you!! Please keep us updated.

[pappy1264]

Been in contact, this little one is doing better, she has improved diet and no more seizures. I will update with any updates I get.