5-6 week old squirrel help in MA

[lindu]

Hello,
Three days ago, someone gave me 2 I believe 5 to 6 week old squirrel. I am unable to find a licensed rehabiliator. I have warmed them, gave them pedialyte, and they are now taking 2 parts water, 1 part embilac and one part whole fat organic yogurt. One of the squirrels opened its eyes yesterday and I am able to stimulate it to urinate. They both have stool that is dark brown but not solid (not diarrhea either really). There is a lot of information out there but I am wondering if this is acceptable or if I should be doing something else?? Thanks all!

[farrelli]

Where in MA are you? We have some members here.

Esbilac isn't the best. A better formula is Fox Valley. You should use the following until you get it.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29903

I've got to go in a minute. Help is on the way!

[farrelli]

Oh, do you have some pics? You probably can't post yet, but someone will give you their email to post for you. If htye don't, I'm at farrelli-at-rcn.com and will be back on briefly in awhile.

[lindu]

Thanks! I am in Taunton (southshore) MA. I will follow that homemade recipe until the Fox Valley comes in. I do have pictures and I appreciate your help!

[Nancy in New York]

I am going to move your thread to the emergency forum. I will pm you the link but there will also be a redirect here. :)

[SammysMom]

Would it help for us to find someone in your area who could take this little one for you?

[farrelli]

Other things to know:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36777

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21626

If you hear clicking when you listen closely to them, you MUST let us know immediately.

If you aren't currently feeding with syringes, you can get them, often free, from any drug store. You need 1cc at this age. But you should order some when you get the Fox Valley because the ones you get from drug stores break down fast.

Pedialyte should only be given for 24 hrs because the salt is counterproductive after that.

Do not mix Pedialyte and formula.

How much you feed is based on weight, 5-7% or so. Do you have a weight on these guys? If not, do you have (you need to get) a kitchen scale measuring in grams.

It looks like your account has been approved, so you can now post pictures.

Good luck. People will help you all night, but I have to go away for several hours.

Welcome to the board! :Welcome And thanks for looking out for these two. :thankyou

[rocky63]

I'm here if needed:wave123

[lindu]

Thanks for your help! It would be helpful if someone could take them, but I have called vets asking for numbers of people who help, Fish and Wildlife, etc. and I have not found anyone who will take hem in or can give me some guidance. So, I am doing my best!

No clicking noises; but I will advise. I just fed them both 3 parts goat milk, 1 part whipping cream, 1 part yogurt. I have been feeding them with an eye dropper which they are able to suckle out and with me monitoring their intake, I drop if they arent able to suckle it out. The little one (who opened his/her eyes yesterday) ate a lot of it, and I am able to get her to urinate. They both have partial stools hanging out of their bums (qtips or leave it?). And I only used the pedialyte for the first few hours. I will head out to get a kitchen scale now, and I will post the pictures!

Thanks everyone!

[CritterMom]

I'm here if needed:wave123

Where are you - finder is in Taunton.

[Wonkawillie]

I can take them!

[Wonkawillie]

I am near Umass Amherst. Can you get them out to me. I have all supplies on hand and need a squirrel fix! I tried to PM you but no luck.

[rocky63]

I am about 40 min. away. I can take the babies and have FV on hand.

[Wonkawillie]

Just click on my name WonkaWillie, and you can Post me privately if you want.

[SammysMom]

You guys rock!!! I knew MA was full of squirrelly folk!:Love_Icon

[pappy1264]

I am here, too, but pretty far from you. Rocky63 is pretty close and I know has everything.

[Wonkawillie]

Just waiting for a reply.

[lindu]

Here they are

[Wonkawillie]

Did you get someone to take them? I am willing but I am stuck home tonight, as I am the driver for picking up kids for a school dance tonight.

[rocky63]

lindu,
There are members here to help. I will check in later. if you need my help send me a private message.

[Wonkawillie]

I am going to have to sign off now. If you need my help, private message me. I will check back in about an hour. If you want you could start driving them here. I will be up late tonight. It sounds like it has been a few days since these babies have had much to eat. They need to get some urgent care if this is the case or they will begin to fade away. You have done good so far, but we are ready to take over if you need help. I run my own business so I can take babies to work with me and feed throughout the day. Done it MANY times.

[lindu]

Thanks everyone! The little one who opened his eyes yesterday is 4.7 ounces and the bigger one is 5.1 oz. Unfortunately I cannot make it out to Western MA tonight. I have the next few weeks off of work so I have plenty of time to take care of them but I don't want to do it at their detriment. If those are low numbers should I be feeding them every two hrs?

[SammysMom]

Please consider letting one of these seasoned members raise these babies. It is so much more than time that is needed. If you can do this, I am sure they will keep you in the loop of their progress, but they really do need very specific food and care that these members have at their fingertips.

[pappy1264]

And not only the feeding and care, but thinking forward to release. They would need to be kept in an outside pre-release cage for a month or so to get them ready for release, as well. You are not far from Rocky63 (just think he is the closest to you), and has everything needed, including the place to keep them for before release.

[farrelli]

I think that the weight is fine, but I also think that you might be feeding them too frequently. We will have to have someone experienced at this weigh in on that matter. What I do know, however, is that bottle feeding is an absolute no-no. It must be with a syringe and in the fashion that is shown in the link I posted. Babies can aspirate formula very easily, and when they do, they just as frequently develop pneumonia. When that happens, it's a short trip to death. Babies die very easily, so you must be very, very careful and follow all the instructions we give because they are lessons learned over the years through tragedy.

If you don't want to give them up to an experienced person, you should know what you're getting into. Squirrels are VERY high maintenance, taking lots of time, they're pretty expensive due to their diet and housing requirements (several different cages during their development), you WILL get bitten, and your furniture will suffer (speaking off which, you will have to squirrel proof the rooms they have the run of). Squirrels are awesome, but they are A LOT of work. Just so you know.

[lindu]

Rocky is willing and I am certain he is capable of caring for them better than I can. I thank you all, and this has been the most informative and quick acting forum that I have ever seen! You are all obviously very knowledgable and passionate about these beautiful little creatures.:thumbsup

[SammysMom]

Oh good, Rocky is going to take them for you? Thank-you for making the best decision you could make. :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[farrelli]

My concern with Rocky is that he took my baby (LillyBrooke) awhile back and we haven't heard anything about her for almost two months now, nevermind getting pictures. :poke He's very stingy with the news of our little ones. This will have to change!

[SammysMom]

OMG Farrelli...you so got me! I started to get like "Oh no! Rocky is a problem?". Now I can't stop laughing...:jump :rotfl :jump

[Wonkawillie]

Yes, having the next few weeks off is great to take care of them, but You will have to keep them for months after that in order to allow them the best possible chance of a safe release. Usually my spring babies are not released until late august. They still return home to the cage to sleep for a week or so after the release and then most often They build a nest right close to the cage but way up in the trees.
When squirrels are about 8 weeks old is when they are the MOST work. They need time to play a few times each day, or they will go crazy in a cage. They will still take a few milk feeding per day, but you will also be cutting up all kinds of veggies and make sure they get enough calcium.
Like I said I am willing to take them, but if another seasoned squirrel rehabber can take them, this would be good too. They are a LOT of work.

[pappy1264]

Wonka, please don't think my saying Rocky63 meant anything, just thinking he is closer (I thought after I posted, and didn't want you to think that.) Just glad they will be taken care of. (And Rocky, you need to update everyone on LB!!!)

[rocky63]

I am going to meet lindu at 9am to get the babies.

[Wonkawillie]

Oh brother!!!! I dont like what I see here. Farelli was joking in that post!!!! many of us that are here lurking all the time, can see that I think?

And PAPPY... no worries....Rocky IS closer. As long as the babies get in experianced hands.

Way to go Rocky to the rescue.

[rocky63]

I'm back! Thank you lindu and it was nice to meet you.
We have a boy(Frank) and a girl(Bean) that are very healthy Lindu has done a great job taking care of these babies.:jump
I have a very busy day today:crazy but I will update with more info and pic's tonight. And yes pappy and Ferrelli I will update on LilyBrooke too!!!

[lindu]

It was great meeting you Rocky! I am sure that they are in great hands and I appreciate you taking them in. I did my best, but I know that they will be better off in your capable hands in the long run. :thankyou Thank you for offering to take them in also thank you to Wonka, as I am sure that they would have thrived with you as well. And thank you to all of you for you Pm's and advice. You have a novice squirrel lover here, so I look forward to learning from all of you!

[island rehabber]

Way to go, N.E.S.T. (New England Squirrel Team) :jump

:thumbsup :bowdown:bowdown :thumbsup

And special bow-downs to lindu who did the right thing -- passing the babies along to an experienced person! :bowdown:bowdown

[pappy1264]

Wonderful! Can't wait to see them. And a huge thank you to all for coming together and getting these babies taken care of!!

[SammysMom]

Thank-you Lindu and Rocky and everyone who helped here! Another great TSB SAVE!!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Milo's Mom]

My concern with Rocky is that he took my baby (LillyBrooke) awhile back and we haven't heard anything about her for almost two months now, nevermind getting pictures. :poke He's very stingy with the news of our little ones. This will have to change!

I started to read this and my heart stopped. OMG, what's going on with Rocky63? Is everything okay? Heart was racing now....then I continued to read.

Whew. Yes, updates are sparce and pics are even rarer, but keep in mind no news is normally good news and means that all is well.

I think with the little :poke and gentle reminder Rocky63 will provide us with an update and pics of our beloved little LillyBrooke. :D

[rocky63]

Frank and Bean are doing great :multi Both have taken to the Fox Valley . Frank took to it on the first try. Bean on the other hand wanted to be the fussy one. But after the first failed attempt and the fact she was getting hungry she now likes it.
Her are some pic's and I will try to keep them coming but work is crazy :crazy for me so I will do my best.

Hi I'm Bean:wave123
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Really please don't take a picture :flash
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202516

Can I hide behind you:hidechair
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[SammysMom]

:Welcome two new cutie patooties!!!:Love_Icon

[MJS]

:wave123 ADORABLE LITTLE BABIES!!! NICE JOB EVERYBODY!!! :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[rocky63]

I just want to update everyone on Frank and Bean.
Both are healthy and happy. Bean is a little bigger than Frank but I'm sure he will catch up soon. They are still both on Fox Valley 32/40 and as soon as my new supply of 20/50 shows up I will start to switch them over.
Here are some new pic's of the two cuties.

HEY anyone want to play???
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coming to get ya!! (Frank)
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Bean the shy one
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Here is Frank whispering in Beans ear
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[SammysMom]

Goodness they are gorgeous!!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[squirbymomma]

super cute what kind of help are you looking for nancy from new York is a squexpert to ask!

[squirbymomma]

oooops I wrote this on the wrong thread... im obviously kind of new and browsing its so easy to get lost

[farrelli]

Actually, I'm glad that you replied. I was going to go looking for this today. Hopefully Rocky can update us about these guys when he gives us all a full and detailed pictorial accounting of LillyBrooke's life over the last few months. :)