Am I doing alright?

[TheFeesher]

I am in an automotive class at a technical school and we heard loud screeching. We thought it was a birds nest in an RV in the shop but it turned out to be 2 baby squirrels:) the mother left I'm guessing 3-4 days before we found them, she probably left when her home began to rumble and move.

But when I found the squirrels one had its eyes closed and the other had its eyes open, I named the one with closed eyes Bonnie, because she's a girl, and I named the other with its eyes closed Clyde, because he's a boy.

I brought them home in a box and bought a 3cc syringe and nipple and got them warm by a space heater. After about an hour and a half I began giving them the pedialyte supplement, 1 qt distilled water, 3 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. I toileted them after each feeding/drinking whatever you call it.

After two days Clyde's eyes had opened and I went and bought PetAg 2nd step Esbalic formula mix, and slowly began giving them the normal mixture of water and formula. They are doing great a week later! Atleast as far as I can tell, but I did not realize the ridiculous amount of contaversity there is over squirrels!

Right now they are in a 2x3x2 cage and they seem to love it! I'm in highschool and I feed them once before school, once at lunch, once after school, and last feeding is at 11:00-12:00ish. But after reading about babies dying off of Esbilac I'm starting the scalded whole milk with 2tsp of heavy whipping cream. (Please tell me if its good or bad and why)

The only question is during the past 2 days Clyde hasn't pooped (atleast from stimulation) but Iv seen droppings in the cage and seen them pee without stimulation but from what Iv read 5-6 weeks is a little young to be toileting on their own? But also I don't remember what his anus looked like, but under his testes around his anus it looks like a little dome, not big, but just kinda unnatural looking. If you could tell me how to help him poop if he's not and what it is if it isn't normal, that would be nice.

[farrelli]

You should copy all the text you have here and create your own thread here:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=116

Your squirrel's care should be under it's own heading. Just click the New Thread button in the top left hand corner.

[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 weeks.

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)
__________

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 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)
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[farrelli]

I've sent an email and asked for pics of the "dome".

As I'm sure you'll soon be told, don't go to scalded milk. The goat's milk formula is the way to go until you can order Fox Valley. I think you should be feeding more often and with a 1cc syringe (which you can probably get at any drug store - it'll help you feed without aspirating them, which you DEFINITELY want to avoid), but I'll let the people who have raised babies weigh in.

Also, where in Oklahoma are you and would you be open to turning these little ones over to someone more experienced if we can find someone in your area? Raising squirrels is a LOT of work and expensive, so you should probably know what you're signing up for.

[SammysMom]

Definitely no scalded milk!!! Get some goats milk which is available at the grocery store in the dairy section or canned that has to have water added to reconstitute it.
A heating pa under half of their container is really what you need for them. Make sure it has no auto shut-off. Set it on low. They are not able to regulate their own heat at this age so they would have mom's heat against them.
Ask all the questions you can think of. We will be happy to help!
Of course if we can find someone in your area to raise them for you it would also be a possible option. Would you like us to look?

[CritterMom]

Please note that www.henryspets.com also sells 1cc syringes and silicone nipples for them - much safer than the 3cc, especially at first. Once they start to get stronger and really begin to nurse, they are VERY strong and will choke themselves and aspirate formula, causing aspiration pneumonia. The 1cc syringes are easier to control the flow with because they are small.

They are very inexpensive, too.