First Time Rescue - help needed please!

[Myracle]

Hi everyone. I have a couple of questions about a baby squirrel my roommate and I found outside underneath a tree Tuesday night. Here's her history with us so far:

After we found her we left her there at first, sure that her mommy would be back soon. After a couple of hours, she was still under the tree and now very cold. I was worried she wasn't breathing when we brought her in (it was pretty labored) so I immediately wrapped her in a towel and began rubbing her. I found a hot/ice pack and started using that to help warm her up too.

She perked up quick so, after I made sure she was nice and warm, I started her on room temperature Pedialyte every couple of hours. I did the pinch test before every feeding, she was pretty dehydrated and didn't pee until 16 hours later. I continued her on the Pedialyte for a full 24 hours and she seemed to be very hydrated then. Nearing the 24 hour mark, she passed what looked like a couple of very dark/black stools.

It was suggested to me to start her on a mixture of coconut milk, tapioca pudding and water. She got 2 feedings of that before I noticed her having dark yellowish/mustard colored diarrhea. I immediately stopped that concoction and came to these boards and started her on the goats milk formula.

I've done some research and I'd say she's about 4 weeks old. I'll be posting pictures soon, but her two front teeth are coming in, she has white fur on almost her entire belly and hair on her tail and legs. Her eyes are still closed and her ears are starting to perk off her head. I bought a scale and she weighs 50g so she's been getting 2.5cc's of the formula every 4 hours (night feedings included). She's in a bed made of a flannel blanket and a heating pad under half of her box. I check the warmth of her and her blankets often to make sure she's keeping warm and so far it seems to be working well. She likes to move around a lot and likes to sleep even more!

I have several questions. I've never rescued a squirrel before so I've been going off info I've found here.

First off - She's peeing quite a bit (it's clear). She still has the diarrhea on the goats milk formula, maybe three times in 24 hours. It appeared to have a mucus in the second elimination and some formed bits but it's back to being liquid. She doesn't seem distressed (her habits haven't changed at all), she still seems hydrated and doesn't feel bloated. Did I introduce the formula too quickly? Is there something different I could be doing or should I be concerned for a different problem?

My second question is - Are there any "safe" rehabbers/vets in Northern/Central Georgia area? I'd like to try and rehab her myself but not at the cost of her health or life. Someone to talk to and possibly examine her would be ideal but I'm certainly not picky.

My last question - I've seen Fox Valley formula mentioned on here a lot. Maybe I've missed it, but which type should I be getting? The 32/40 or the 20/50?

Thank you so much for reading our story, I'm a worrier and I've barely slept the past few days so I really appreciate anything that can be shared to help make her all better!

[island rehabber]

:Welcome and good job so far doing the right stuff! (Well, not the tapioca thing, but how could you know that wasn't the right stuff, after all :).) My guess is that the coconut milk (major diarrhea-causing stuff, in many species) and all the hydration is giving her the runny poops. Keep doing the goat's milk formula and it may improve over the next 12-24 hours. I will alert atlantasquirrelgirl, a licensed Georgia rehabber here, to come to this thread and see if she can help you. In the meantime, you can order the Fox Valley 32/40 formula for Squirrels and transition her to that gradually over the course of a couple of days. Welcome to the wonderful world of squirrels, Myracle!

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Where are you in Georgia? I can help you find somebody close by. I'll be in Atlanta very briefly between Friday night and Saturday afternoon, then heading North.

PS

Here's the link to the list of state rehabbers in case I miss your posting. I'm flying back to Georgia this evening, and will be away from internet for a while today. http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/wildlife/hunting/pdf/special_permits/Wildlife_Rehabilitator_List.pdf

[Myracle]

Thank you both for such a quick response and warm welcomes! It's so appreciated. :Love_Icon

I actually live about 40 minutes north of Atlanta in the Woodstock/Acworth area.

Also I forgot to mention before, I've checked her over for injuries. There's no wounds as far as I can tell, though it's possible she fell from pretty high up so I'm not sure what the damage inside could be. So far she seems to be ok though. I'll have the pictures up very soon as well just to be sure!

[stosh2010]

Thank you both for such a quick response and warm welcomes! It's so appreciated. :Love_Icon

I actually live about 40 minutes north of Atlanta in the Woodstock/Acworth area.

Also I forgot to mention before, I've checked her over for injuries. There's no wounds as far as I can tell, though it's possible she fell from pretty high up so I'm not sure what the damage inside could be. So far she seems to be ok though. I'll have the pictures up very soon as well just to be sure!
W-E-L-C-O-M-E to T.S.B.
Glad to Have YOU Aboard

>>> from Rama Rota & Cruiser & RamaMama and Stosh

################################################## ###################
If you have trouble or confusion posting photos--please e-mail to me--put Myracle in the message line--and I will post them HERE for you.

stosh@jpcfl.com

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

If you want to see some Costa Rican squirrels---just click on the links below--Rama, Cruiser & Luna are waiting for Ya...

[Myracle]

As promised, pictures! Just in case no one is able to get a look at her over the weekend, I thought it might be best to post these just in case.

This is the night we found her, about 6 hours later. I tried to use my hand as a reference for her size but I have small hands.
http://oi46.tinypic.com/12645mf.jpg

This is a picture of her laid out on her blanket.
http://oi48.tinypic.com/2rcpmxc.jpg

And here's one showing her teeth. I don't know if this helps, some say it helps to determine just how old they are. Since I'm still not sure I thought I'd post it as well.
http://oi45.tinypic.com/33vi54g.jpg

And once more - Thank you!! This site is a huge sigh of relief.

:thankyou

[stosh2010]

Do you have 1 cc syringes to feed your baby ? Use long rubber nipples with the syringes. Feed with the syringe pointed up at a 45 degree angle .Never DOWN into the mouth ,. They can aspirate, get formula in their lungs easily, and possibly lead to pneumonia.



Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’tsDon’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. [B]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: [b]
--Pedialyte (any flavor) OR the recipe below (the homemade version is actually preferred)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. [B]Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores.

*Here is a recipe for the homemade version of Pedialyte hydration fluid:

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 can be held 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.

[B]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. NOTE: 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.

[Myracle]

I've been using 1cc syringes but I don't have a rubber feeder. I'll start looking for places that carry them!

[stosh2010]

OK... We need a NAME...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Great photos--keep them coming...we LIVE for photos on TSB...

[Myracle]

My friends and I have been calling her Miracle. :)

Also, any chance you know of a place that carries the long rubber nipples? I'm not sure where to start my search since most major pet chains here don't seem to carry them.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Just sent you a private message with 2 contacts that can help you right in the town you live, and should have supplies on hand. If you have trouble reaching them or getting supplies, let me know by lunchtime tomorrow and I'll assist with what you are going to need.

[stosh2010]

Just sent you a private message with 2 contacts that can help you right in the town you live, and should have supplies on hand. If you have trouble reaching them or getting supplies, let me know by lunchtime tomorrow and I'll assist with what you are going to need.
I hope you get assistance locally-- if not this web site has syringes & nipples:
Chris' Squirrels & More

http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/mothering-silicone-nipples.html

[quagmire]

What a cute baby. Great Job on the rescue and raising. This site is great in helping rescuing baby squirrels. Good luck with Miracle.

Jeff, Sherry & Quagmire

[Nemehoto]

Welcome! You will find a great amount of help here on this board (I did for sure), I am neither an expert or a rehabber but I have raised 2 little babies from a few day old pinkies with the help from the folks here. (I couldn't find a rehabber to take them in SC) (My babies are 15 weeks old now and the joy and terror of my life. I am over wintering them for a spring release) Best guess from the looks of your little one is she is about 4.5 to 5 weeks old since she has hair on her belly. Her eyes should be opening in a few days. I use fox valley 32/40 for my babies.

Technically she should be eating 4ish cc's of goats milk formula per 3-4 hour feeding, but since she was with momma her little belly is used to smaller amounts more frequently. The general rule for feeding is 5-7% of their body weight per feeding. You can order the nipples, syringes and formula from www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. I never used the nipples myself since I had been feeding my little ones just by syringe for 3 weeks before I found this website so I didn't know about the nipples until long after they were used to the syringe. Henrys also sells the fox valley most of the time.

So far what you are doing is right. Warmth, food and TLC. Her poopies should be yellowish once she is on formula and fairly firm. The greasy appearance is because she isn't digesting what she is getting well that will clear up in time as she gets accustomed to what she is eating. No solid foods (mine went thorugh that for a couple of weeks until I found this site and changed over to FV) But goats milk or the coconut stuff certainly isn't momma's milk so expect digestive upsets for about 24 hours or so. When you change over from the goats milk to FV do it gradually, 25/75 ratio of FV to goats milk, next time you mix formula 50/50 and so on and it will reduce tummy issues.

Make sure you have the baby in a container that she can't climb out of (I started with a parakeet cage) Even blind, baby squirrels are adventurous especially since mom isn't around to spank them for being curious. They will sleep and grow a lot at this age. Hopefully an expert will be on soon to give you better advice.

Just a couple of notes: Squirrels have teeth and claws and they will use them if they are scared, startled, or playing. (I have 2 siblings so they can get rowdy when playing or argumentative over food)

Squirrels use their mouth a great deal to understand their environment. They taste and nibble on EVERYTHING. Including people it helps them to determine what is safe and what isn't. What's good to eat and what isn't... this is normal.

[Myracle]

Thank you so much for the great advice! I had never even considered why she wouldn't want to eat as much all at once. Luckily, she's been eating more each time so we're working up to it slowly! She's definitely becoming more adventurous, I have a couple of cages I can try so I'm hoping I can find a good fit. Also thank you very much on the formula ratios, that was going to be my next question!

And wouldn't you know it, as I was typing this she decided to have her first solid poops! :jump

Atlantasquirrelgirl: I just activated my account but it doesn't let me view my PM's yet. That or I'm looking in the wrong spot. I'll be giving them a call as soon as I can and I'll update here when I do!

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

If you don't have my message yet, look on the link I sent you, and under small mammals, you'll see Cherokee County. Christy Reeves is one of the folks I referred you to. She can help.