New to squirrels, experienced advise greatly appreciated

[AllyKatz]

About a week ago I found my cat tossing something into the air. Upon investigation I discovered a tiny baby squirrel in its grips (we actually thought he was a chipmunk at first, shows how much we know :/). Luckily the little guy did not appear to have any major injuries (except for a small scratch on his leg which he was dragging but is starting to stand up on now better and better each day) but he seemed pretty shook up so we brought him inside. I instantly hoped online and was overwhelmed with the amount of information and mixed opinions. The few things I gathered that were important were to get him warm and feed him pedialyte and esbilac (which im now discovering on these forums is not the best choice). We had him in an aquarium with a heat light and made sure his tank had plenty of ventilation and stayed between 75-85 degrees. We stimulated him to go potty and his eyes opened a few days later and hes doing great so far. I'm thinking he's now about 5-6 weeks old and a red squirrel (I keep saying he although I have no idea what his/her gender truly is). We just upgraded his home to a multi-level small animal cage and put in a Kaytee rodent block (which I discovered after buying is a rodent block treat meant to be added to his diet not for full nutrition but he's still on formula as well 4 cc every 4-5 hours), he also likes carrots. We did try to reunite him with his mother before his eyes opened and he was less mobile by putting a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel outside and monitoring from a safe distance but she never came :(, we gave up after a few days and when he wouldn't stay put, I'm wondering if my cat had gotten to the mother before we got the baby. I live in CT and no vets in my area will take him and the rehab place said if was attacked by a cat they would have to put him down because of his leg and he'll never be able to be released and its been about a week and hes going strong so I dont feel like they are correct and dont feel right letting them put him down. So anyways that's Baba's story (yes we named him..) so being totally new to this I obviously have so many questions and I've researched like a mad woman but there's so much info out there it's hard to process. I would love any and all advice, pointers, things I'm doing wrong/right (and please, I will not be the least bit offended if you yell at me and point out something I'm doing wrong, I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make sure this little guy can make it), and answers to a few specific questions below:
1. When should he start weaning? We've been weighing him daily and he's currently at 51 grams and has been steadily gaining daily. Is he getting the proper amount of food/feeding frequency currently?
2. I've heard adding yogurt or whipping cream to the esbilac is important. How much should I add and what kind? I'm going to order the FV but want to make sure in the meantime he's getting what he needs. I also mix the formula in hot water ahead of time and put it in the fridge and reheat it during feeding times by putting the container in a bag of hot water until the formula reaches room temp.
3. What is the best rodent block (preferably one I can buy at a pet store as I really never feel safe ordering online, ive had my information stolen in the past but I will if I have to for the little guy) and what do they look like? I was a little overwhelmed at petco today and didn't know if I should get one formulated for ferrets, chinchillas, gerbils, rats, mice etc. (no squirrel option!) also what other veggies should I be putting in his cage, and how much? I know nuts and fruits should only be in small amounts and as treats (I have not introduced him to any yet) any information at all on feeding and how much and often would be appreciated.
4. He's growing quickly and I know he will soon outgrow his cage he has now, my boyfriend is a carpenter and wants to build him a nice large habitat but needs to know what is best included and what materials are best etc.
5. I am planning on releasing him when hes able (I know its whats best for him) but I think its best to keep him through the winter as winter is brutal here and he hasn't had any time to gather and store food to survive it. Do you agree? Also what would be the best age and method to do so when the time is right?
Sorry for the novel of a post but I'm feeling a little lost here and I dont want him to have to pay the price for my lack of knowledge and I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to keep this guy healthy and happy.

[lennysmom]

Hi, AllyKatz and welcome to TSB!! :Welcome I know firsthand just how confusing the Internet can be when it comes to info on how to care for baby squirrels, but it sounds like your little one is well on his/her way to recovery and a future in the trees! I will say, I think it best to take the little one off Esbslic - it ended up giving my little one terrible digestive problems after awhile and I understand something they put in it now is not good for squirrels. That being said, Fox Valley is what I use and you can order it at henryspets.com - they also sell growth blocks that have everything your little one will need for nutrition needs and they usually ship fairly quickly. I'm sure some more experienced members will chime in soon too. Maybe you could post some pics so we can see your little cutie and help you determine gender. :)

[lennysmom]

Also, while you are waiting for the Fox Valley to come in, here is the link to the temporary goats milk formula you can use -

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?29904-TEMPORARY-Goat-s-Milk-Formula***

[SammysMom]

Since we have had a few issues with FV, you might want to start with the GM formula for a little bit. I have some Fox Valley that I can send to you to try. My brother lives in Willington, isn't that up near you?
Here is the pic and boy is he cute!!!

[lennysmom]

Aww, what a cutie!!!! :Love_Icon

[Anne]

Of course we here have used Fox Valley for years. If you go to the Henry's Healthy pets site, it is owned by one of our members here and is perfectly safe for your information (I know about ID Theft!) You can get the correct feeding nipples and syringes at Henry's too.
So glad you are weighing the little one, that's so important for feeding and dosing for medicine (we can help with that too ,if ever needed). Feed 5 to 7 percent of his body weight at every feeding. Feed about 4 hours apart while he is still so little.
He will wean himself when ready. Until then just offer him formula until he refuses to take it any more. He would most likely nurse Mom until 12 to 16 weeks old.
So glad you will be keeping him through the winter, he would stay with his Mom until Spring, she would share her food and warmth with her babies.
The formula should be:

1 part formula powder to 2 parts very warm water(Mom's body temperature would be about 102 degrees) babies like it best very warm.
1/3 Part vanilla yogurt-full fat if you can find it-no 0 fat, no artificial sweeteners
1/3 part heavy cream
Mix together well. Be careful mixing with cream in it, not butter making! Mix just enough to use in one or one and a half days.

Hope this helps answer your questions. Don't ever hesitate to ask us anything. It may take several hours to get back to you, but we all love helping squirrels and their people.
And a big :Welcome to The Squirrel Board!:grouphug:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Can he sit on his butt? Does his tail go up and over his back
Just asking to see if there might be permanent damage.
Was he put on antibiotics after the cat got him?
Where do you live in Connecticut? The town I mean. :)

[AllyKatz]

Thank you all so much! I am so happy to have found this forum and am so grateful for all of the advice. And Sammysmom that would be great and yes, willington is not too far from me, about 15 min give or take. Nancy in New York I live in Coventry, CT its a small town about 20 min north of hartford. He did not go on antibiotics afterwards, there wasn't a vet near me that would treat him. He does sit on his butt from time to time but still crawls a lot. And his tail is down but he's been starting to lift it recently. Also he's been itching, like a dog does with his hind legs, not excessively, but I've noticed him do this a couple time, should I be concerned?

[SammysMom]

Girl?

[Anne]

Girl!!! That is for sure a little girl-got to pick a girl's name now. Let us know who she is. She's adorable. Never seen an american red squirrel. I saw a lot of red squirrels in Europe, in London they had adorable long red tuft's on top of their ears. Just so cute!

[Nancy in New York]

Girl!!! That is for sure a little girl-got to pick a girl's name now. Let us know who she is. She's adorable. Never seen an american red squirrel. I saw a lot of red squirrels in Europe, in London they had adorable long red tuft's on top of their ears. Just so cute!

Hey Anne, come for a visit I have three that I am raising for a while right now. Get your ticket, come on up!

[AllyKatz]

That's so great! A little baby girl :grin2 When we found her we knew we couldn't tell her sex so we decided to give her a name that fit a boy/girl and we decided on Reilly, being a big fan of the Who I started calling her Baba O'Reilly and then pretty much just started calling her Baba all the time. So I think we'll keep her as Baba, no need to confuse her lol

[SammysMom]

Watch out Anne...you might have one in your suitcase when you leave...:rofl4

[SammysMom]

I spoke via text to our finder and she has the new Esbilac with probiotics. If I am not mistaken, this has been ok'd as a decent alternative. She is getting pellet poops and it has been over a week.:thumbsup

[SammysMom]

Oh good grief, look at the amount of cute in the palm of a hand!!!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

I spoke via text to our finder and she has the new Esbilac with probiotics. If I am not mistaken, this has been ok'd as a decent alternative. She is getting pellet poops and it has been over a week.:thumbsup

Absolutely, that is what I would do. I have switched over to the Esbilac with probiotics myself, and also having excellent results.

[lennysmom]

What a little sweetie! I think Baba is a great name for her! - coming from a fellow Who fan! :grin2

[Nancy in New York]

Oh good grief, look at the amount of cute in the palm of a hand!!!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

OMG look how darned adorable is this.

Sorry to thread jack, but I wanted AllyKatz to see
the baby reds when I got mine. All of 9 grams.:grin2:grin:grin2
They were all smaller than a tube of chapstick.:)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/Baby%20reds%20August%202013/2013-08-09006.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/Baby%20reds%20August%202013/2013-08-09006.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/Baby%20reds%20August%202013/2013-08-09014-1.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/Baby%20reds%20August%202013/2013-08-09014-1.jpg.html)

[SammysMom]

Little pink erasers...:Love_Icon

[AllyKatz]

oh my goodness, I cant even get over how cute that is!! :Love_Icon
So glad to hear the esbilac we have is okay, even though we haven't had any problems with it yet when I saw those posts I was really worried. Should I still mix in the yogurt and whipping cream? Also I've been feeding her every 4-5 hours around the clock and I don't mind at all but don't want to keep her up past the point when she should be sleeping through the night so when do you think she'd be okay to sleep through the night? Also do you think I was correct in her age estimate (5-6 weeks)? And I can't even begin to thank you all enough for all the advice and help!

[Fireweed]

A Squirrel Lover who likes The Who. :alright.gif Welcome, Baba! :Love_Icon
I think you are right about her age. Not quite 6 weeks.
Purchase quality blocks (HHBs) that most of us feed our squirrels here: www.henryspets.com

(Anne, you need to spend more time in the Red Squirrel Forum! :poke:grin3)

[Nancy in New York]

:grin3
oh my goodness, I cant even get over how cute that is!! :Love_Icon
So glad to hear the esbilac we have is okay, even though we haven't had any problems with it yet when I saw those posts I was really worried. Should I still mix in the yogurt and whipping cream? Also I've been feeding her every 4-5 hours around the clock and I don't mind at all but don't want to keep her up past the point when she should be sleeping through the night so when do you think she'd be okay to sleep through the night? Also do you think I was correct in her age estimate (5-6 weeks)? And I can't even begin to thank you all enough for all the advice and help!

First I think your age is right in the ballpark. :thumbsup
If you are feeding the new Esbilac, that's fine. I actually had mine on all FV to start, but
they were NOT digesting it well, so I switched to the Goat's Milk formula, and gradually started
adding the FV back in. THEN I had heard that people were have good luck with the NEW Esbilac, so
I did a slow transition to that. I have added yogurt to that, just to enrich the taste a little, but it really isn't necessary.
The Esbilac should be all encompassing nutrition wise just like the Fox Valley.
I would feed her up to 12 midnight, and then give yourself a break and sleep in until around 7. She can go that long through the night.
Try to get in 5 feedings a day as she is still young. I would still try to do 7, 11, 3, 7, 11 or there abouts. If she eats enough through the day, seriously you can definitely let her go at night, until the next morning. :thumbsup

How many cc's does she take at one feeding?

[MJS]

YOUR LITTLE RED BABY IS SO CUTE!!! BABA IS A PINBALL WIZARD FOR SURE!!! :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[AllyKatz]

Where is this red squirrel forum? :eek:Love_Icon
She eats about 4 cc each feeding right now
also I've noticed her scratching herself, not excessively but noticeably, is this normal or a sign of something like fleas or lice?

[SammysMom]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?12-Red-Squirrel-Forum