Please help - Found baby squirrel - Have questions

[Ksurf]

Hi from Florida! :shine

We had our front trees trimmed last Wed, squirrel nest disturbed, 2 babies visible. Couldn't put it all the way up those palms, so put next at base of trees. Watched & waited for mama to get her babies, and she did retrieve them. But then we discovered a 3rd on other side of trees away from nest, so we put it in nest in same spot... We had to go to work Thursday... Sadly she never came back. Friday morning baby was still there & still alive! I felt terribly guilty for leaving the little thing out there so scooped him up & brought him inside. Immediately got online & found a lot of good information which has helped but still could use some advice. Baby boy (we named him Tiny) is in a box, fleece blanket, couple little snuggies for company, on a heating pad set to low, gave him Pedialyte to start to rehydrate, then read somewhere about a puppy formula... all via tiny eye dropper. He has been peeing & pooing too... So, 3 days later he seems to be doing alright but I could use some confirmation regarding feeding.

I've searched local (Tampa Bay) area for wild life rescue & squirrel rehab persons/facilities & have found a few. I haven't called them yet as it is the weekend. Any insight here? I will call but I also would like to continue to care for Tiny if possible for a little while anyway.

I wonder how old he is... Eyes closed, covered in peach fuzz fur, ears seemed to have popped up off of his head, whiskers appeared overnight, claws/nails seem a tad sharper... Btw, he didn't have that fur 3 days ago so I guess we're doing alright! :) I know from what I've read their eyes don't open until 5wks, so I'm wondering just how old he is... 3wks? Less? More? Any insight would be helpful. Here are a couple pix: the one where he is in the pink was day 1, in the blue was today, day 3. (I don't know why my pix look so big! Pls let me know how to fix.)

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I'm fortunate to work close to home, part-time, and have my own quiet office so I plan to take him with me to care for him. The rest of the family is unable to assist due to different schedules. This is all good practice since we're expecting our 3rd this winter! So, yes, I've even been up thru the night taking care of this little guy. And our almost 5yr old little girl is so happy to help take care of Tiny since she loves animals & wants to be "animal rescuer" when she grows up! :) But we have been very clear that we are not keeping him permanently, and she knows he belongs in the wild. In the meantime, I think it's a wonderful experience to get to know these little critters a bit better. :)

Thank you for listening & I look forward to your replies. :thankyou

[farrelli]

You need to go to a pet store and get Esbilac puppy powder with probiotics (pic below on right). You also need to get a 1cc syrnge without needle from the pharmacy. They will give them for free often if you say it's for a kitten. You will also need a kitchen scale that weighs in grams (Target, Walmart, etc.).

Mix the formula as directed, feed 5-7% of body weight (if he weighs 100g, you'd feed 5-7CCs per feeding, about every 3-4 hours), syringe pointed up, head pointed down. Here is a thread to proper technique. Droppers are bad, and if you ever hear clicking when breathing (listed closely, regularly) we need to know immediately.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36777-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

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Sounds like you're doing well so far. Ask lots of questions.

[Mommaluvy]

Oh he is sooo cute. He looks to me to be about 2-3 weeks old. I am new on the squirrel journey also.

I use esbilac puppy replacer per the instruction on the back . Get the can that says it has probiotics in it. And I then add to that organic heavy cream. So for every 1 cup esbilac I use a 1/4 cream. If you make a 1/2 cup esbilac then you would use
1/8 cream.

In the nursery I have Pipsqueaks pictures . I take one every Sunday. I fact I need to upload his pic from today. You could use them as a guide to gues your guys age.

Do you have a gram scale ? He will need 5% body weight in formula.
Pip is 80 grams and takes about 4.5 cc every 3.5 hours.

I forgot if you said you were stimulating him to go potty ?!? If not you need to help him go by flicking gently with a q tip or cotton gauze. Till he goes.

Poops should be yellow . I would get him on formula soon if you have been rehydrating for 3 days. You will have to mix the pedislite with the prepared formula in a proper ratio and build up to full strength . I have forgotten it but it should be here somewhere.
Check your Tate laws .. But do ask on of the rehabbers if you can meet with them and sub permit or be mentored by them . That said there are people here that work in Florida and could take him and post him in the nursery .

Thanks for helping his little guy. He looks nice and plump.

[farrelli]

No, absolutely DO NOT mix pedialyte with formula. Mommaluvy, if you are doing this, you should stop. I forget why it's bad, but it has negative consequences of some sort and we all recommend against it. Also, pedialyte (alone) should only be given for the first 24 hours because the salt builds up and becomes counterproductive.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 Ksurf
:Welcome to The Squirrel Board

Your baby is precious. I'm Southeast of Brandon. I have extra syringes and the nipple (Miracle Nipple) that you need. I would be glad to give you one if you wanted to meet somewhere. The proper syringe and feeding technique is very important. When you feed Tiny the syringe should be pointed UP into his mouth. Never feed a baby squirrel on his back like a human baby. This can cause formula to go in the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia. I see Farelli posted the feeding video. :thumbsup

If you would like to place him with a rehabber that has another baby, I can probably hook you up.
Again, welcome.:grin2

[Shewhosweptforest]

:wave123 Ksurf
:Welcome to The Squirrel Board

Your baby is precious. I'm Southeast of Brandon. I have extra syringes and the nipple (Miracle Nipple) that you need. I would be glad to give you one if you wanted to meet somewhere. The proper syringe and feeding technique is very important. When you feed Tiny the syringe should be pointed UP into his mouth. Never feed a baby squirrel on his back like a human baby. This can cause formula to go in the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia. I see Farelli posted the feeding video. :thumbsup

If you would like to place him with a rehabber that has another baby, I can probably hook you up.
Again, welcome.:grin2


Awesome offer :Love_Icon HRT4SQRLS could be an awesome mentor for you :thumbsup :Love_Icon :squirrel1 HRT4SQRLS :squirrel1 :Love_Icon

:Welcome ksurf & Tiny :grouphug Thank you for caring for this little guy...are you sure he's a guy....that's another common mistake :grin3 I agree he looks to be 3 weeks old...good luck...you've come to the right place :grouphug :Love_Icon

[Mommaluvy]

No, absolutely DO NOT mix pedialyte with formula. Mommaluvy, if you are doing this, you should stop. I forget why it's bad, but it has negative consequences of some sort and we all recommend against it. Also, pedialyte (alone) should only be given for the first 24 hours because the salt builds up and becomes counterproductive.


You are right. In rereading her post it a sounds like she is already past that point anyhow . When I first read it it sounded like they had not switched to formula. My brain is tired. I used a home made solution for pip.

It's a sticky http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?35173-five-pinkies-need-help&p=775423#post775423

I am certain I got the cut and paste wrong . But it's in that thread.

[Rhapsody]

Hello..... I am a rehabber in Lakeland and I have a single squirrel that is 4 weeks old
that would love to have a cage mate in a few weeks, after their eyes open and they are
walking about. If you are interesting let me know and we can make arrangements. :tilt

[sid'smommy]

I thought it was best to put them together before eyes opened ?? Not doubting you, just wondering :thinking

[tap31974]

Hello there :Welcome I'm rather new here myself and everyone here are awesome they are so helpful even with the tiniest of questions.and they really know what they are talking about!they have helped me so much with my baby boy Alvin and I'm so grateful to them :grin3 just love everyone here :Love_Icon . You're lil guy is so adorable I bet your just loving him to pieces :Love_Icon . Well you and your family enjoy him for however long you have him b4 he goes to his next home with a rehabber but I'm sure no matter how long you've had him it won't feel like long enough they really grab and hold on to your heart :crazy.

[Rhapsody]

I thought it was best to put them together before eyes opened ?? Not doubting you, just wondering :thinkingShe posted that she wanted to raise the little one for a bit with her child, so I figured a months time would be good to still get them together and they would adjust just fine with them being young and all. But you are right, it is best to place squirrels together as young as possible, eyes closed being the best scenario, but I have successfully made cage mates out of squirrels as old as 3 months old. :tilt

[Ksurf]

To be clear: I am using the Esbilac puppy formula, and I have NOT been hydrating with Pedialyte for 3 days or mizing it with formula. Also, I started off with no-needle medicine syringe (had cpl from when my daughter was little) but he likes dropper better, so using syringe only to measure. No weird noises when feeding just Tiny sucking like on a teat. And yes, like I said got a lot of good info online on how to take care of potty time & he is peeing & pooing just fine. I will re-read ur replies more thoroughly when I get home from work. Thnx to all.

[farrelli]

We really, really recommend against droppers because they cause aspiration so easily. We see SO many die of pneumonia and it's usually so avoidable. He would probably like the syringe with a nipple. Most people swear by the Miracle Nipple:

http://www.henryspets.com/syringes-and-nipples/

[grampyngramy]

Please, please, please learnthe proper feeding technique. Do not hold the little up right or lahing on his back. Do hold the dropper up to his mouth while he is laying down, also a good reason fir a syringe. Please read about the proper technique if not they may aspirate, well chances are they will. And thanks so much for taking thus beautiful baby in. And good luck with the daughter letting go. Mine is heading to college and she still brings strays and critters home , even though we have a house full, she dies not understand , no more.

[Ksurf]

Tiny update: I watched feeding video link and what do ya know!? I was doing it right all along! Even with the dropper, which by the way is a fine point, angled tip, which is probably why he likes it. But I tried yet another oral syringe & this one works better. Even tried some nursing supplies with nipples but he does better without at this point. He's definitely turning into a little squirrel starting to make little squirrel noises, and twitching his little ears & nose & whiskers. :) But he's not eating as much as you all have said your critters do, so I'm a little concerned. But he really is a Tiny so maybe it's normal.

Anyway, being a wife, mom, expecting our 3rd, working part-time (Tiny is with me again today :) ), & having to get kids ready for school in little more than a week.... We have decided that it's in Tiny's best interest to go to a professional rehabber. We will be sad to see Tiny go, but we are also so glad we were able to rescue & care for him, and we want him to have a good little squirrel life! :)

I have some names & numbers of a few places to call today, but just wanted to double-check if you know of anyone in particular? Must be close to Clearwater, FL (west of Tampa).

Thank you for your concern & input. :thankyou

[Ksurf]

:wave123 :timer
Sorry, don't mean to be a pest but really would like info for rehabber in Clearwater FL area if you have it please.

[farrelli]

You should start another trhead here:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?116-Non-Life-Threatening-Help-Needed

And say in the subject line that you're looking for a rehabber in a specific area. We have lots of FL people here.

[Ksurf]

Thanks to you all for your insights & helpful advice, especially to HRT4SQRLS with placement options. I was able to find someone very close to home and so he is at his next home as of today. He really did grab onto my heart when his teeny paws grabbed onto my hand. I felt like I was giving away my baby & so my little daughter and I had some tears but I know it was the best thing for Tiny. Oh! He was finally eating better & more too starting yesterday, kneading on my palm and sucking that syringe down! So I'm happy I was able to send him off with a full little belly! And he's a fighter - He survived losing his home & family, being outside on his own for 2 nights & 1 day, and survived he & I figuring out his feeding - So I know he will be okay. :)

Thank you again! :thankyou

[Mommaluvy]

:Love_Icon

You and your daughter will have that forever :)

[HRT4SQRLS]

:thumbsup That's great news Ksurf!