Sweet Baby

[dwest12]

We are raising a baby we have affectionately named Pebbles -- well, a shadow for one of my children at school named her! I was wondering if this is normal beharior for squirrels -- I have never seen it or heard of it. For several days while my first graders were at recess,we would hear these piercing calls. To me, they sounded distressed (but what do I know! I'm not a squirrel!) Then, about three or four days after the calls started, we saw two tiny baby squirrels venturing down one of the threes in the play yard. They were extremely small, and would sit and watch us. Then on about the fifth day, THEY came to US! The first little one put his little paw on my foot, looked up at me and stole my heart. I picked him up, he snuggled into me, and (not knowing what I know now), when we went inside I mixed a makeshift meal to get something into his tummy. He was starved. An hour later, the second grade teacher sent a student in to get me -- there was the little sibling trying to follow the second graders into the building. I walked up to her, she looked at me and reached out -- and captured my heart as well. I brought them both home, did tons of research, bought the Esibilac (spelling?) formula and followed all the rules for dehydration, feeding, warmth ect. Our little boy didn't make it -- he was so tiny and emaciated. My heart just broke when he died. Our little girl, however, is doing great! We are going on our third week with her and we love her. Our goal is to get her ready to release. So I have a few questions. One -- is it normal behavior for squirrels to seek out human help the way these babies did? Two -- although she meets all the developemental milestones for 7-8 weeks, our little one weighs only 110 grams. Will she be small, too small to release? We would love to keep her, but know that she would be happier outside. However, we do not want to release her if her chances are slim for survival. Third -- she is eating veggies, apple, banana (not her favorite, though), avacodo (loves it!) and broccoli (her favorite before she found avacado!) along with Henry Growth Bites (rodent bites), which she loves. I'm trying to keep to the percentages, but she seems to shred almost as much of the bites as she eats. Is that normal? Is she getting enough? To all you experienced rehabbers, your input is greatly appreciated! We love this little girl!

[Rhapsody]

I answered you in your other thread...... here is a copy.


Every thing you have described is normal behavior for a baby squirrel and your little girl seems to be doing well and growing as she was intended to do. Many baby squirrels will seek out humans for comfort and food once their real mothers have been gone for a while and they have become hungry...... this is what she was doing when she found you at school.

Please know that we do not recommend using Esbilac as it has caused the death of many baby squirrels over the last few years..... Please use the Goats Milk recipe until you are able to order some Fox Valley (20/50).
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BABY SQUIRREL CARE:

First thing needed is to warm the squirrel.
Now check for any injuries and/ or wounds.
Hydrate the squirrel right away (use a 1cc syringe) and go slow.
Give homemade pedialyte every hour for eight hours (max 24 hours).
Once hydrated make Goats Milk formula, feed 5-7% of their body weight every 4 hours.

IMPORTANT: Babies must be kept WARM --NEVER feed a cold baby.
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+ Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels +
1. Warm the squirrel (never feed a cold squirrel)
2. Place in plastic container or box w/ pieces of fleece
3. Rehydrate the squirrel (feed pedialyte first 24 hours)

Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

4. Slowly feed with a 1cc syringe - head UP tail DOWN
5. Keep warm at all time - fill bottle with hot water (cover bottle with sock)
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Homemade Goats Milk Recipe:
1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream (frig section)

(lasts 72 hours in frig)
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WARMTH:

1. Heating Pad, on low with a fleece blanket on top --place the squirrel in the blanket.
2. Rice Buddy --put rice in sock (tie off) microwave for 30 sec - place next to the squirrel.
3. Fill empty water bottles with hot water and slide into a single sock (each) place next to squirrel.

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Once the squirrel is settled in order Fox Valley formula:
http://www.henryspets.com/
http://www.foxvalleynutrition.com/main/home.asp (32/40 birth to 4 wks – 20/50 4 wks & older)
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[rocky63]

I think a picture will help to determine the age of the baby. If your baby is around 6to7 weeks old it needs to be on formula for proper nutrition.and the best is Fox Valley.
can you post a picture?:flash