Thinking of trying to help.. help?

[toybox]

Hi Island Rehaber and all, tinfoil
I PM'd you yesterday after I read "Thinking of raising that baby yourself."

I have to ask those who commented a straight question ??

Are my (the squirrels outside) better off with me going back to just building my crazy squirrel feeders and leave them alone? -- Or me being prepared to foster a damaged squirrel or two? Here's the thing.. when Mr. Nuttsy Noodleman came into the picture it was an un-expected nightmare for a whole day for both Nuttsy and my wife and I. Fortunately Mr. Bobby Taylor was close by.. and even though Nuttsy headed for Rainbow Bridge we all gave him our best shot!

Un-fortunately Bobby and other wonder people like him in our area(?) are up to their eyeballs in personal matters and may not always be able to assist at the drop of the hat..

So long long question is.. I do Nothing as some might suggest rather than risk aspiration, cost, and Rainbow Bridges at the hands of inexperience, or do I get help in preparing?
I'm confident in your opinions.

[farrelli]

Oh, for sure, help. Please. Having people at the ready is always best, and if you can't take care of a squirrel long term, you might be able to provide critical care to get it ready for the next person to take over. There are lots of critters who need help, but not a lot of people to take care of them, especially people who are genuinely interested in learning how to do it right.

I have absolutely no time to take care of an animal right now. I work constantly and only get about 45 minutes of completely uninterrupted personal time a day, but thanks to Nancy in New York, I've got my formula and other supplies at the ready just in case someone comes across an animal in need. I could take a day or two off just to get it stable and find someone else more experienced and able to care for it than myself. If I had the time, I'd love to care for these creatures myself, but I don't. Apparently you do, so given your compassion and openness to assistance, I'd really encourage you to help. If you spend enough time here you will see all the creatures rescued by well meaning people who have no idea of how to help, now that you do, you can be to others what Bobby was to you.

[Milo's Mom]

It's always better to be prepared for a possible situation than to find yourself in the situation with no supplies.

I believe MJS and Mrs.MJS prepared themselves just in case and low and behold babies landed in their laps. They had everything they needed to start immediate care (warm, dark, quiet, hydrate when warm).

FV powder keeps very well in the freezer especially in it's unopened bag. I think the shelf life is a year or 2 (closer to 2 I think).

The containers, fleece, syringes, nipples, water bottles, etc...pack it all into a big rubber tote and label it Rehab Supplies. Then when suddenly and unexpectedly you are called upon to help you are ready to hit the ground running with everything you need.

I believe you live in an area where it's always baby season (year round) so "the call" could occur at any point in time.

I would totally stock up on supplies (at least the initial/immediate need ones). It may take a year till another one comes your way or may be be later today or tomorrow.

Just my personal opinion and I tend to like being over prepared for anything and everything at all times....if I am not, I start twitching. :D

[toybox]

tinfoil (Big bow from the waist) First off,
Farrelli, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for offering to chip in with me for Mr. Noodleman's xrays had he made it that far..
YOU didn't even know me and Boston is a long long way from West Florida. Just goes to show what humans are capable of.. Thank you! (Mr. Noodleman looking down saying "Thank You Please" also.)

Next Milo's Mom, I've got a big 6' x 3' x 2' hospital cage I happened on to. Fleece, syringes, nipples, water bottles, etc. no problem. Heater pad without shut off (half under for the patient(s), I can get. FV powder(?) Not sure what that is?? What about IBUPROFEN (sp?) and/or small meds like PREDNESONE (sp?) on hand? I know we can't get everything on hand at once, but should I talk to a local vet or what??

Thanks for all your help.. I'm so greatful,

[stepnstone]

FV - Fox Valley formula. Can only be ordered on line.
http://www.henryspets.com/

Definitely would have (infant) Ibuprofen on hand.
A Betadine wash for cleansing wounds would be helpful.
Neosporin, gauze, cotton balls, tape.
Dawn liq dishwasing soap for fleas or revolution - fleas & lice.
Another very good product is Capstar.

[Milo's Mom]

Since you are in Florida and squirrels are legal they are vets that will treat squirrels. If you have a relationship with a vet, yes, absolutely talk to them about your plans and see if they would be willing to work with you.

I would familiarize yourself with your states laws so you can craft your conversational words appropriately.

If you do not have a vet currently, it might be a good idea to work on locating one.

Yes, Infant Motrin, Prednisone, Baytril/Cipro, SMZ-TMP, Fox Valley Formula (I'd get 1 bag of each; 32/40 and 20/50). A few well marked high quality syringes for dosing meds is a good idea too.

Also, get yourself a copy of Wild Mammal Babies; The First 24 Hours and Beyond, 2nd Edition. I got mine at Chris' Squirrels and More. http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/

Depending on how far into it you want to get, Lactated Ringers and bigger syringes with needles for sub-qing are a good idea and will be very helpful if you ever find yourself needing them.

Karo syrup and Molasses are good to have on hand too.

The cage you have is good for bigger squirrels....if you would happen to get babies or very young squirrels, you're gonna want a small cage or container.

Some sort of a travel bag/cage for trips to the vet or Rehabilitator would be handy to have as well...

[toybox]

tinfoil Yeah I found FV all over TSB the second "after" I hit "submit reply".. Murphy's Law!
A lot of this comes natural for some folks (me with Wood and Planning) but for others some of it's like drinking from a Fire Hydrant.. (There's plenty of H2O around.. but it's hard to get your lips wet with getting a face full! Chuckle)
I'm getting there.
I'm not expecting a little one to knock on door any time soon. If I can get a box of supplies and cage sectioned off together as you suggested I won't be caught completely flat-footed..again - Grin!)

Stepnstone, Thanks. I like your good Starting List too. It gives me things to look for.
Please, Milo's Mom, Stepnstone, and everyone, keep throwing those ideas out.. A few have got to stick in my pea brain. :poke
Dave

[MJS]

:wave123 HEY TOYBOX...EVERYBODY'S SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN SPOT ON AND SIMILAR TO THE SUGGESTIONS OF OTHERS THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE ABLE TO INCORPORATE IN OUR PREPARATION PROCESS. (THANK YOU MILO'S MOM FOR CITING US AS AN EXAMPLE OF PREPAREDNESS.) KEEP IN MIND THAT, AS FARRELLI HAS SAID, THE REALITY OF HAVING YOUR FIRST SQUIRREL EXPERIENCE CAN BE SCARY. THE FIRST THING THAT I COULD THINK OF TO DO WAS TO PM IR AND PRAY THAT SHE CALLED ME BACK :dono (WHICH, OF COURSE, SHE DID). THE PANIC REFLEX DEFINITELY SET IN RATHER QUICKLY. :shakehead NOW, ALMOST TWO WEEKS LATER, WE HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY BABY BOYS WHO ARE ENJOYING US ALMOST AS MUCH AS WE ARE ENJOYING THEM. READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN...THE EMERGENCY THREADS, THE SUCCESS STORIES, NUTRITION THREADS, THE STICKIES...LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY. THE SQUIRRELS THAT YOU HELP WILL THANK YOU. :bowdown