PLEASE HELP!!! 10 week old - weak

[BUBBYSQUIRREL]

My 10 week old has been fiesty and just fine! Today, he will not come out of his closet. He is letting me pick him up and hold him (he never does this). He is not hopping around on everything - but he seems to be very weak. His back legs seem to be okay.

I feed him formula (I've been putting bits of sugar in it the last 2 days). He had 20ml this morning. Usually he's out and everywhere. I also give him Apples, Brocolli, Carrots, (some but not a lot of fresh corn); oranges, collard greens - all fresh fruit and veggies he will eat. Mushrooms, spinach, salad, etc.

I'm very concerned. Please advise.

thank you very much!!!

[pappy1264]

What kind of formula are you feeding? And could he have possibly gotten into something he should not eat?

[farrelli]

Pics would be good. They sometimes help diagnose.

Make sure hes hydrated. Check his hydration by gently pinching the skin between the shoulders and make sure it goes right back down like on the back of your hand and doesn't tent.

[farrelli]

Oh, and listen VERY closely to his breathing. Make sure you don;t hear any clicking. If you do, you'll need to tell us what antibiotics you can get a hold of so that we can tell you which to use and how much.

[grampyngramy]

I thought spinach was to be avoided? Maybe I am wrong. Needs more calcium sounds like to me. No corn no corn products. Read the labels of any blocks you may be feeding.

[grampyngramy]

PS. I think mustard greens are not good either.

[stepnstone]

Please tell us what kind of formula, not all types are adequate
for a squirrel's nutritional levels they need to maintain.

I didn't see mention of block?? A good quality rodent block
should always be the first solid food introduced and eating
well before introducing other foods.

Is he fully hydrated? Do the "pinch test" to determine.
I don't understand why the sugar in formula?
Not a good idea in my opinion...

[MJS]

UPDATE??? :poke

[joyceb11]

How is your baby doing this morning?

[Rhapsody]

Where in Florida are you located? --I am in Lakeland, are you close enough that I can help?

Please take a look at the squirrel diet page:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[BUBBYSQUIRREL]

Our family would like to thank each and every one of you who responded to our concerns. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/bty.gif

Having Muck-Muck was a precious gift and we have learned so very much!!

We've learned what special people Wildlife Rehabbers are and why it is so so important to entrust your baby to them AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UPON FINDING AN ORPHANED ANIMAL.

We are lucky. We didn't lose our little Muck. But it was the Grace of God only because it was a steep learning curve and we did not know what we were doing.

If it were not for the help and advices of WONDERFUL PEOPLE like yourselves - we would not have such wonderful memories nor stories to tell.

I am pleased to report we transitioned the little fellah starting with a few minutes a day and gradually growing to several hours a day. It was a bit unorthodox as we never caged him. He loathed a cage and try to knaw his way out from day one.

He was born in our beach house and the "secret passages" in and out of our home have been passed down through numerous squirrel "generations."

When he reached about 10 weeks, we began to take him outside just a few minutes a day. We continued to lengthen his outdoor play time under supervision - first by minutes, later by hours. Ultimately, we began letting him stay out all day.

Every afternoon late, we spent an hour of chasing him up and down the stairs until he would hop on one of our shoulders and we would run like hell for the door.

This went on for almost a month until one day at dusk - he didn't come home.

We were devastated. We looked for him until the wee hours of the morning - leaving no rock, bush or leaf unturned. No Mucky. We continued to look for him all day the next day. We enlisted his best friend, our half lab/half pointer, "Jett Gilbert." With a nose 1000 times stronger than a Bloodhound - even Jett Jett came up empty.

By this time, our family was devastated and in tears. We all felt like selfish failures. What arrogance we thought - thinking we could raise the little fellah ourselves?

Two days later, I heard a light "pitter-patter" in the attic and my heart brightened. I just knew it was our Muck-Muck.

The following morning, I walked out onto our deck and who do you think was there?
No doubt about it - I would recognize that skimpy tail anywhere!!!

OUR WHOLE FAMILY - LAUGHED AND CRIED AT THE SAME TIME!! WE JUMPED UP AND DOWN - LAYED ON OUR BACK AND ROLLED AND KICKED UP OUR FEET!!!

WE'VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY!!!

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/4chsmu1.gif
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/2thumbs.gif
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/rotflmao.gif

Muck continues to come and go like the many generations before him. WE FEEL SO BLESSED!!!

We want to take this opportunity to tell others - IF YOU'RE NOT A LICENSED REHABBER - DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!! GIVE THE LITTLE CRITTER A CHANCE AND GET HIM TO A PRO RIGHT AWAY!! DON'T STOP AT GO AND DON'T COLLECT $200.

And again, from our family to yours - THANK YOU ALL!! http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/images/smilies/bty.gif

[SammysMom]

What a nice post! I am so glad that it worked out, but your advice is very sound. Get help from someone who knows and save a lot of heartache and heartbreak.
Be strong and happy Muck Muck and for Heaven sake, don't be a stranger!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[biggjimm]

Im confused. So you have found muck muck?? The pm I received last night at 11:20 said you had not seen him ??? I hope you have found him safe & sound.

As for getting one to a rehabber, I agree. If one is available & can take them in. If not , with the information & help available on this forum, I truly believe anyone with the heart to want to help an orphan, the time it takes to devote to that orphan & the money to purchase the supplies needed to properly care for that orphan can successfully raise & care for it until time to release or for the rest of its life if it's NR. And anyone attempting to locate a rehabilitator online will more than likely find this site. That's how I found it & while I had some knowledge of animals in general, I found out real fast that I knew nothing about flying squirrels. However, I have successfully raised Jack thus far with the knowledge available here on TSB.

So if a baby (or older) squirrel finds you, it's for a reason. If you can't find someone to take it to, don't panic, if you have the things I mentioned above, the heart, time & money then start reading & asking questions & prepare for your life to be changed by the love from a squirrel.

I did not mean to hi-Jack your thread & I truly hope you have your muck muck back safe at home. Jim.