nursing4bama
10-03-2012, 08:01 PM
I am a new squirrel mama and need advice. A little history: I found Chipper under a tree with a nest about 40' above him. I am assuming he fell out or was kicked out, bless his heart. According to growth stage charts, he was about 5-6 weeks old at that time. I watched very closely for several hours hoping his mom would come get him, she didn't. I took him inside and warmed him, hydrated him, and tried to get mom to come again and she didn't . He had no obvious injuries, had a good appetite, never got dehydrated. However, he may have suffered a head injury or something because he tried to stand and would fall backwards, not every time, but most. He demonstrates actions like he has Parkinson's..constantly shaking his paws in front of his mouth like he's starving, even though he's had every thing I could possibly find to feed him. He was started out on GNC replacement milk in the can from Petsmart around the clock, never going hungry. He had difficulty eating solids, even though he was going through the motion, it doesn't seem like he was actually consuming it. I then purchased the GNC powdered milk replacement and he went through an entire can. I have added yogurt to his milk, placed cuddlebones in his cage, placed apple wood sticks for him to chew, bought calcium chews (hard) for his cage, and vitamin drops for formula. He has had a huge variety of fruits and veggies. I have never been able to get him to drink water. I've placed 2 different water bottles in his cage, tried to give him water with a bottle cap, a butter bowl lid, etc...he refuses. He acts like he doesn't want his paws dampened by any type liquid and holds them up away from it, then jumps away. He has also had a left right head motion like he's saying no when he's stressed. He has always chattered...very low sound but I hear it. I don't think any of this is normal but would like your input because he's my first squirrel baby. I spend almost every hour of the day with him and would die if something were to happen to him. My family thinks I've lost my mind with the amount of care and compassion I have for him, but I don't, he always makes me smile. He is now about 12 weeks old and still won't drink water, takes almond milk (better than dairy) by bottle/syringe (whichever he feels like drinking from) twice/day. Has plenty of variety in veggies and fruits, and has developed a preference for walnuts over the rest. I take him outside often and let him play/climb the trees and he comes down to me when I am ready to take him in. He has fallen a few times but Thank God he wasn't hurt. I am gonna have to limit this now because I truly feel something is wrong with him mentally and won't live through many falls. His tail is not fluffy at all. He looks like a big rat instead of a squirrel now. Please advise me on nutrition, behavior, and hair growth on tail. He is gorgeous and looks normal except his tail. I hope to post pics if I can figure out how. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I love my little fella.