Flying Squirrels! Don't know what to do!!

[treeman]

Neighbor just brought to me two Flyers! Rescued from cat. No obvious injuries but one seems ok (crying, biting) the other may be in shock or injured. Made the cat drop the latter and was not breathing well and eyes glazed, but breathing better now. Cats must have found nest? Did not hear a momma. I don't think they are really young babies.

Have them wrapped up on heating pad. What to do?! I know about baby greys but I've never even seen a Flyer before!! HELP!! :help

[Rhapsody]

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.
Make sure you stimulate after each feeding to help the squirrel go potty if under 5 wks.

IMPORTANT: Babies must be kept WARM --NEVER feed a cold baby.
_______

+ 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)
__________

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)
__________

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 then place next to squirrel.


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)
_______

[treeman]

Injuries: Nothing obvious. Possible Shock or Internal.

Warmth: On heating pad.

Hydration: Adequate. Just taken from nest.

[Rhapsody]

Rule of thumb is to always rehydrate for at least 8 hours when we receive a new baby squirrel in........ after he is warm start with the homemade pedialyte a little at a time for the night..... then you can start the goats milk recipe in the morning.

___________


Hydration / Pinch Test
Once the squirrel is all warmed up you can feed him a little pedialyte every five minute by placing a syringe tip to the corner of his mouth. You will probably have to do this for a good hour or two until he is feeling well enough to take a few cc's at one time.......... when this happens you can feed him the pedialyte every 30 minutes to an hour.

The most important thing to do right now is to get him fully hydrated..... you can perform a pinch test between the shoulder blade to see how well he is --if the skin is pinched and goes down fast then the pedialyte is working, if the skin stays up or goes down slowly more liquid hydration is needed (hydrate up to 24 hours w/ pedialyte).

[Mrs Skul]

:morning Hi treeMan
Do you have any antibiotic? I would dose them just in case. It will only take 24 hr and a Flying Squirrel will be in serious trouble. Baytril is best.
Can you post Pictures for me? Do you have a Gram scale to weight them? Did you see any other around? Usually their are 3 to 4 babies. I can PM my Number. Call me if you need anything. I am always up all night. Catnapping throughout the day. :D
Keep them warm. If you have any Maple Syrup, Mix it like a Light color Ice tea. Lightly sweetened. Offer them a drink every hr or so. :thumbsup3 (Flyer babies Like the Formula and Hydration Fluid almost Hot!)
This will give them energy,Calories, & Hydration.
Being they just come from mom they should be pretty health and Hydrated. Do you have FoxVally, Heavy Whipping Cream, & Full Fat Yogurt? :thinking
If so mix a small batch and start offering 50%FV 50%Water They might only take a few drinks at first. By Morning they will be eating better. The Little one in shock. Offering the FV will help her Pull him out of it.
As long as their are no internal injuries. You might wont to try stimulating them. This way you can see if their is any Blood mixed in the Pee or Pooh.
PS
2 TBS Water
1 TBS FoxVally 32/40
1TBS Heavy Whipping Cream
1 tsp Full Fat Yogurt.
Be sure to mix the Heavy cream in after you mix the formula well.
If you add it all at once you will just make Butter.:rotfl :rotfl

[Jackie in Tampa]

what ABs do you have on hand?
cat bite is deadly, best to give antibiotics if the cat was involved, even if it appears there is no damage..
just saying..

how much do they weigh...
you can do this..treat them as greys, just smaller.:thumbsup
you know we need pics:D

[Mrs Skul]

Hi Jackie. :morning
TreeMan has Baytril. Fixing to Post pictures. :alright.gif
We will be starting Baytril as long as TreeMan can hold onto the Little WILD ONE!!! :D :rotfl

[treeman]

Got Baytril. The strong one (Feisty) couldn't get good pic because she's biting and already escaped twice. The shocked one (Electra) is doing much better.

[Jackie in Tampa]

okay, Mrs Skul Pmed me...
is it baytril 22.7mg tablet? do you have a scale that will weigh in grams?
I am up for the day, so will ck back,,
they look 'over all', great!:thumbsup

[Mrs Skul]

OMG!
:Love_Icon What 2 Sweet Little Babies. :Love_Icon
That little wild one will calm down in a day or two.

[Mrs Skul]

She is going to try to get a weight.
I am guessing 30 to 35 gm. Nice and Healthy Babies. :thumbsup3
PS
I need to step away to feed. Be back in a few Minuit's. :D

[Jackie in Tampa]

brown tablet is baytril taste tab... what number is on it?
22.7
68

it will have the marking..
this tablet has beef flavoring in it and spoils very easy{rancid} must be kept in fridge after we suspend.

[Mrs Skul]

She is checking the Pill, and weighing the now.

[treeman]

Pill is 22.7 taste-tab. Electra (shocky one) weight is 25-30 grams. Larry getting goat milk, maple syrup, yogurt. Pics are Electra.

[Mrs Skul]

Yes looking at her now you can see 25 to 30. I guessing 4 weeks old.
Jackie will be back in a few min to dose. I would keep them on the Baytril at least 7 days. See what Jackie has to say. :thumbsup3
Start giving a little Warmed pedialyte. When you start feeding the Goats milk. Start them out 25% water 75% Goatmilk. After 3 or 4 feedings start the 50% water & 50% GoatMilk.
They might drink just a few drops at first. Call when you get ready to feed. Or I will call when Skul Leaves for work.:D

PS
Try to feed or offer the Pedialyte every 3 hr just to start. The little shocky one might try fluids a little more often.
Oh BTW you have 2 females! :D

[Jackie in Tampa]

I will send info in PM:thumbsup

[Jackie in Tampa]

sent:thumbsup

[IrishHarps]

Oh my they are cute!!! You're in good hands with Mrs. Skul :) They are a little older (not pinkies, thank goodness!) so they shouldn't be too bad to care for.

[Skul]

Four and a half weeks, if under 30 grams. :)

[treeman]

Well the little girls and I made it through the night. Called in sick to work so I'll be here for them today. They have had 3 turns with 1:1 Pedialyte/(1:1) syrup/water. They weren't loving it but I got some in them. They've had one dose of Baytril as well.

The wild one (officially naming Loki after Norwegian god of mischief) suddenly became un-wild and cooperative so they are both together again in a baby nestbox on 1/2 heating pad. Will these accommodations work for now? How long will they stay in the box?

Got a better gander at them this morning. Electra has an eye that she is keeping shut. I'm pretty sure it is because it had sand in it from when the cat had her under a car. No punctures or scratches found on either. Should I flush her eye with some saline?

[treeman]

I need a way to mark them so I can tell them apart. Any ideas?

[Skul]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to try flushing the eye a bit.
As for marking, a small dab of nail polish on top of the head will do the trick.
Only need to mark one, and not a lot.
Try finding the type that doesn't have an acetone base.
You can also use non-toxic latex paint that has been slightly thinned.

[treeman]

I'm going to make the goat's milk formula as described here and try a feeding. Do I need to keep them in a pouch around my neck? Do I want them to bond like that if they are for release?

[treeman]

Got them both to take about 1cc each of 1:1 goat formula/water. Flushed out Electra's eye. It had been gunked up and glued shut but after saline and some wiping it improved greatly. She now has it open almost all the way. Neither were crazy about the formula and I feel like that nipple is huge in their mouths but I guess we will both get used to it.

Both girls seemed to show some curiosity and looked and scuttled around.

[Skul]

Great, now stuff them in your shirt. :)

[Mrs Skul]

:morning Morning Treeman Electra Loki
While they are young it will not hurt letting them Bond to you. It makes feeding and catching them alot easer if they like you. :D It will come in handy if the futuer. you need to keep them both on the Baytril for at least 7 days. What did Jackie say?
Did you get to Order the FoxVally 32/40 today?? :dono :dono
http://www.henryspets.com/
The Nipple is big but at first they will just puy their liks oround the hole. Eventually they will suck on the whole thing. How is Little Eletra doing?
I will call you in the morning. Yuu can call me if it would be easer for you.
I have to run. Have a great Day. :grouphug

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi TreeMan
How are Electra & Loki Doing?
Is Loki getting any calmer yet? :D Did you order the FoxVally 32/40? How is Electra eye doing? Is she feeling any better? Ive been busy, I will try to call you tomorrow. :thumbsup3 You call me if you need anything.
When FV comes in start 25% FV & 75% Goat milk. After 3 or 4 feedings. Then start feeding a 50%50% Mix Formulas. Changing the Heavy Cream and Yogurt to the FV and Only feeding GM Plain as the other 50%. after 3 or 4 feedings.
Then go to 25% GoatMilk 75% FV, Heavy Cream,Yogurt Formula. (4 Feeding, If handling Ok switch them to a 100% FV Formula. :thumbsup Good Luck and remember we sure LOVE New Pictures!!! :D

[treeman]

Oh I'm so sorry I missed your post, Mrs. Skul!! I had moved on to the Non-Life Threatening because I didn't want to clog up the topic and failed to see it!

I have been keeping them in my bra during the day so I can take them to work and feed them every 4 hrs. Jackie got me started on the Baytril tablet and I called my vet on Wednesday. He got me a premixed Baytril liquid so we're using that now. I ordered the 32/40 on Wednesday and hope to have it today along with some tapered nipples.

Loki (the wild one) calmed down the same night and Electra is doing well though more reserved than her sister. Loki is eating 2cc per serving and Electra about 1.25cc. They both are scooting around and Loki has even defended the "nest" against my fingers a couple times but calms when she realizes its me. No one told her the "nest" IS me LoL!

They even chewed on some oak sprigs last night! Thus, "so far, so good". I hope to have them in a cage this weekend.

[Mrs Skul]

[CENTER][I]:wave123 Hi TreeMan
Are they still staying in A Plastic Container? Or on you 24/7? :D
Remember the cage needs to be about a Cocktail size one. Keep the heating Pad under the bottom. 1/2 on 1/2 off. These Babies will still have trouble regulating their heat.
TAKE THE WIER GRATE OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF CAGE. You wont them on the very bottom of the cage.
"They will burn up more Calories then they have, trying to stay warm". Keep extra Fleeces on the bottom of the cage. Add Platform and ramp covered with Fleeces. (You can sew and close it with Velcro.)
They can fall or get Stuck, if not covered. Unless it is wooden Platforms and Ramps.
Did you order any Flying Squirrel Beginner Blocks? LATER when weaning time, that is the first food you need to put in the cage with them. Just until they start eating. Then you start The Fresh Vegetables. :thumbsup
Got to run Call when the FV comes in.
PS
Don't you just love that Vicious guarding of your Boons? :rofl4

[treeman]

When they are not on me they are staying in a small wooden nest box with fleece and the hole is plugged up with a sock. I'm glad you said something about keeping them warm. I didn't know that but luckily I have still been keeping the box halfway on the heating pad. They just seem so tiny in the box so I thought they would need it. Also, I DID happen to order the baby blocks from Henry's!

Here is a picture of the cage I plan to put them in and the nest box. I also put in branches that reach the opening but they aren't in the picture. Will branches work instead of ramps? The wire bottom is removed (i hate that thing) and I use Spanish Moss over newspaper to cover the bottom. Moss is nice because it's readily available here and kind of acts as a filter by letting food and waste fall through to the paper. Plus they (the greys anyway) like to burrow in it and hide things. Don't know how warm it is though.

[treeman]

As for guarding my bosom, they'd make great chaperones LoL!!

[rainrshine]

When they are not on me they are staying in a small wooden nest box with fleece and the hole is plugged up with a sock. I'm glad you said something about keeping them warm. I didn't know that but luckily I have still been keeping the box halfway on the heating pad. They just seem so tiny in the box so I thought they would need it. Also, I DID happen to order the baby blocks from Henry's!

Here is a picture of the cage I plan to put them in and the nest box. I also put in branches that reach the opening but they aren't in the picture. Will branches work instead of ramps? The wire bottom is removed (i hate that thing) and I use Spanish Moss over newspaper to cover the bottom. Moss is nice because it's readily available here and kind of acts as a filter by letting food and waste fall through to the paper. Plus they (the greys anyway) like to burrow in it and hide things. Don't know how warm it is though.

Do you prep the spanish moss in any way before using it? I know down here in FL the moss is notorious for little red spiders. It's a great idea to use something so abundant but I would worry about the bugs.

[treeman]

Yeah, I know the little red spiders you're talking about. When I first started using it, treeman was all freaked out over them and also worried about chiggers. However, I honestly have never encountered either of them and I've been through A LOT of moss...so I don't treat it at all. It may be that those spiders are only on certain trees?

If I was going to treat it, I'd dust it with Diatomaceous Earth and spread it in direct sunlight for a day. The DE and UV-rays should kill or drive off any bugs. Use living moss and avoid letting it dry out because it will turn crunchy and dusty. Rained on moss can grow mold.

I usually harvest from the trees using a long gaff-hook or rake, use what I need, and put the rest in a wooden crate on my covered porch.

[Mrs Skul]

:morning treeMan
May I make a few suggestions
First off Take all the Spanish Moss out of the bottom of the cage. ("It is not suggested to use bedding with Flyers.) They cant keep warm enough with it, & they will try eating/Chewing on it. They might choke."
It will grow Mold when Peed on or wet. It does at track Mites , Spider mites, and other bugs. Replace it with Fleece
Then sit the box on the bottom of the cage. This way the heat can move up into the box.
You can add Layers of Fleece on the bottom of Cage Scrunching up Piles making Little Mountains. When Older they will hide and make their own nest spot.
If Possible Block off the Top Half of the cage. It is to big for them right now and they can fall and hurt them self. "I usually start them out in a small Parakeet cage or Hamster Cage. When they are about 4 or 5 months old, that is when I move them to a cage that size." NOW if you have any Quarter inch by 3 inch wood. That makes Excellent Ramps. :thumbsup3 Then I would take A Quarter inch by 5 or 6 inch Wood. Add to cage from on side to the other. This makes excellent platforms. You drill or punch to small holes on each end. Then you tie with twisty wire, Dental floss, or Zip Ties. You can also add 2 hangers on each end. Then all you have to do is lift it off to clean them. This is how I make my Platforms, and Ramps. It help them learn how to Balance. Take the perches out for now. They are to Young & Small right now. Their Balance is not good and that is when accidents happen. Take the water Bottle out. :nono They are to young for Watter Bottle! If they get Hungary, and find the Water Bottle End. They will suck it down and not stop. ("I helped a Lady 3 weeks ago, where the Baby Gorged him self with Water. He was a Sick Little Flyer for a week or so.") When you start them out with the water, Get one of the Bird Watering Tubs. You can hang it on the out side of the cage. Add a 2 to 3 inch round Bird Perch that Bolts on the out side of the cage. (I see you have one in the cage already.) This will let them walk right up to it and drink. When they finally learn how to drink upside down.
They will just hang & drink. :D I would not stuff a sock in the hole to block them in the Nest Box. If they get to cold they will come out and snuggle down into the bottom of the cage where the Fleece is.
"Mine always have a Pouch laying on the bottom of the cage covered with fleece." The Nest box usually comes Way Latter. Now you can give them a small Fleece, or Plush Dog toy that is bendable. That way they can snuggle up to it and Play all over it. :D
Waiting for some New Pictures!!! :D
PS
Are they eating Full Strength FV yet? How many times aday are you feeding?
One More Thing. WE Need More Pictures!!!:rotfl

[treeman]

K I'm going to get a smaller cage and follow the instructions here in. Right now they are just in the nestbox 1/2 on a heating pad not in the cage. Didn't receive the FV yet but feeding every 4 hrs. Once I get the cage and set it up I'll get you some more pics of them and the cage LoL!

[treeman]

Going to go get the cage, etc. Just fed so got some pics for the meantime. They like to run around after eating. This is them in the nest box darting in and out of the blanket. Loki is the one with a dab of blue fingernail polish on her head.

[treeman]

Here is what I came up with for now. Fleece bottom, Ceramic hidey-hole stuffed with organic cotton bedding (thought ceramic would be a good heat conductor), fleece cuddle cup bed, wads of cotton in corners, little ladders are grapevine, platform came with cage, grass hanging bird nest stuffed with cotton, palm frond hanging thingys, tiny oak twigs to chew on.

If the ladders won't work, I thought of replacing them with paint sticks. If they chew on the plastic platform, I will replace it with something wooden.

[IrishHarps]

Awww soooo cute! They are adorable! Keep the pics coming :) You are in good hands with Mrs Skul!

[treeman]

Still haven't gotten FV...probably because of the holiday. Hopefully tomorrow. The girls are doing great and already seem bigger.

Had one problem with the cage. Loki and Electra really missed their box and didn't want to sleep in the acorn hidey-hole. Electra is less confident than Loki and was desperate to get out of the cage and onto me. It was sad to see her struggle at the door.

Luckily, the pet store had a tiny nest box that I had grabbed just in case. I took out the ceramic acorn and put the tiny nest box in with their old blanket. They settled right in and were much happier. :D Electra has been giving lots of sweet kisses! :Love_Icon

[IrishHarps]

Oh man they are cute! They still have the greasy baby look. I hope you get the FV soon!

[Kat762]

Oh my gosh if they aren't the cutest things ever :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
And so is their cage it's adorable !

Was entranced reading this thread and seeing the pictures and then about choked on my coffee I was sipping when I read that Treeman took them to work in his bra :rotfl :jump :rotfl :rotfl :thinking :dono

Then when I read the HILARIOUS :rotfl line that they would make good bosum protectors:thinking I realized Treeman is Treegirl LOLOL !

They are SO cute !

[treeman]

Hello, everybody! :wave123 :rotfl LoL Kat762! Yes I'm really the treelady because the treeman is not so good with the keyboard or computer :shakehead but we both read the posts and ask questions. It would be quite a sight to see him in a bra but I'm sure he'd don one if he thought he needed to for his 'babies'! :rolf

I was wondering about that 'greasy look'. Do they all look like that? :thinking I just figured it was from my body oils and/or from spilling milk on them (had a hard time getting used to those tiny mouths but doing better now with new nipples from Henry's).

:wave COME SEE US in The Nursery! :wave

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37311

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi HO TreeLady!!!
Yes that Greasy Kid Look is normal for Hand Raised Flyer Babies. They will out grow it around 7 to 9 months old.
BUT IF AFTER THAT, & it Comes Back their is a diet related Problem. :thumbsup3
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
:grouphug Huggs to the both of you and the little Kiddos. :grouphug

[IrishHarps]

Yep! Greasy baby look is a thing. They all always look like that when babies.