need some help...

[jayfunk]

Hi guys,

I received a 5-6 week old ground squirrel last night from a friend. It was thin, cold and had lethargic eyes/movements. I warmed him up using my stomach (no access to heating pad) and his movements were a little more lively this morning. I started a hydration cycle using pedilyte.

Now he's back to being weak and can barely stand. I've got him back under my shirt for the time being but he seems super weak.

The friend had fed him kmr for the past 2 days using a nippled bottle. I know kmr isn't good. I didn't get to finish the liquid cycle before feeding the puppy mix (with trace yogurt and cream).

What should I do? Anyone in the toronto Area?

Thanks so much!
Jay

[farrelli]

Is it really a ground squirrel? I didn't know they had any in the GTA.

I;'ll post a link to basic care but have to run. Others will be on. I will also PM squirrelfriend who is in Mississauga and cam probably help.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?11782-I-FOUND-A-BABY-SQUIRREL-NOW-WHAT

[jayfunk]

Is it really a ground squirrel? I didn't know they had any in the GTA.

I;'ll post a link to basic care but have to run. Others will be on. I will also PM squirrelfriend who is in Mississauga and cam probably help.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?11782-I-FOUND-A-BABY-SQUIRREL-NOW-WHAT

That would be awesome! My mom (I'm 34 don't worry lol) is freaking out and just wants to see Banjo (she named him already! No pressure, thanks!) Scampering around.

I'll post a pic of him right now. I'm not a squirrel expert so it probably isn't a ground squirrel.

[jayfunk]

Here's a pic taken now.

[farrelli]

This is the formual he needs. Available at pet stores in Canada. Powder with probiotics. I'm sure whoever takes him would appreciate the donation. Also follow proper feeding technique - syringe pointed up, head pointed down.

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

241961

[farrelli]

He's an Eastern gray TREE squirrel. Ground sqs burrow, for example, prairie dogs. :thumbsup

Good luck. I'll check back later.

[Nancy in New York]

You can heat up some uncooked rice, in a sock.
Take one cup of rice and place it into a sock and tie off at the top.
Place this in the microwave and heat for ~45 seconds.
Squish this around so there are no hot spots.
Place this next to him, if he crawls away, let him leave, it
may be too warm.
Did you hydrate him?
Make sure to stimulate him to pee and poop.
Make sure he is hydrated with warm solution.
Are you using a syringe now?
Do you know if he aspirated? Can you hear any clicking.
I think you need to hydrate more he looks a little spikey.

[jayfunk]

This is the formual he needs. Available at pet stores in Canada. Powder with probiotics. I'm sure whoever takes him would appreciate the donation. Also follow proper feeding technique - syringe pointed up, head pointed down.

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

241961

I know how to feed him, right food etc. It's not my first rehab with squirrels (didn't mention that, sorry). This little guy was in bad shape when I got him and usually they perk up after being warmed and rehydrated. This little guy is going the opposite way. Shallow breathing etc.

I used the bottle in a sock and he cuddled it for a bit, but then kept crawling away.

I did a flea/maggot check appon arrival, warmed him up, fed fluids (warm), rubbed urination. He seemed like he was on the right track until a few hours ago.

[jayfunk]

He's an Eastern gray TREE squirrel. Ground sqs burrow, for example, prairie dogs. :thumbsup

Good luck. I'll check back later.

I meant ground as in non flying. Lol. I'm in panic mode so I'm making little sense. My apologies.

[jayfunk]

You can heat up some uncooked rice, in a sock.
Take one cup of rice and place it into a sock and tie off at the top.
Place this in the microwave and heat for ~45 seconds.
Squish this around so there are no hot spots.
Place this next to him, if he crawls away, let him leave, it
may be too warm.
Did you hydrate him?
Make sure to stimulate him to pee and poop.
Make sure he is hydrated with warm solution.
Are you using a syringe now?
Do you know if he aspirated? Can you hear any clicking.
I think you need to hydrate more he looks a little spikey.

I tried the bottle of water in the sock this morning and he crawled away. He was warm to the touch so I let him be for a bit.

I gave him double cycles of pedilyte and water/pedilyte. I didn't want to overload his kidneys with straight pedilyte, so I did 2 hours pedilyte 1 hour water 2 hours pedilyte 1 hour water etc. His skin felt more firm.

He's taken some nice big pees and a single poo that was pellet and light brown.

I'm using a syringe, down etc. He hasn't aspirated and he is clickless. Just lethargic.

My worry is if he isn't heating himself. I know not to fed/hydrate a cold squirrel but I fear I have to as he seems like he's becoming more dehydrated.

[jayfunk]

I just fed him a nice dose of straight pedilyte and back under my shirt. My heating pad isn't here so will my body heat suffice until my gf gets here with one? If not I'll start making calls asap.

He grabbed the syringe ok and I did drops nice and slow.

He still has a good appetite.

[Nancy in New York]

I just fed him a nice dose of straight pedilyte and back under my shirt. My heating pad isn't here so will my body heat suffice until my gf gets here with one? If not I'll start making calls asap.

He grabbed the syringe ok and I did drops nice and slow.

He still has a good appetite.

Can you do the shirt and the rice bag? Perhaps he feels better held, and
the rice bag will give extra warmth, yet he will know you're there. :dono

[jayfunk]

Can you do the shirt and the rice bag? Perhaps he feels better held, and
the rice bag will give extra warmth, yet he will know you're there. :dono

He's been on a water bag in shirt. I'll do the rice thing right now. I'm pretty sure I'm about to lose him. :(

[czarina]

Try rubbing some molasses, maple syrup or jam on his gums to see if he perks up.

[jayfunk]

Try rubbing some molasses, maple syrup or jam on his gums to see if he perks up.

Doing that now... See what happens.

[farrelli]

I'm sorry no one has responded. Is he still alive? I know that Astra has been calling and texting SF. She's a night person, so it may still happen. If not, I'm going to PM another member who I THINK is in Guelph.

[jayfunk]

I'm sorry no one has responded. Is he still alive? I know that Astra has been calling and texting SF. She's a night person, so it may still happen. If not, I'm going to PM another member who I THINK is in Guelph.

Thanks for all your help! So far he's still alive. I gave him some straight puppy formula (not mixed with anything) and he perked up a little. I kept him nice and warm but he went straight back to laying flat with eyes half open and shallow breathing. I then mixed a little drop of syrup in more forula and he started running around a bit. But then goes straight back to limp after 5 minutes.

Should I try pedilyte every 15 min to get fluids in him at least? Is he too cold? Too hot? I've never experienced this before with all my rescue animals.

[Fireweed]

If you want help for this guy and you don't mind driving a way, these rehabbers were posted in another thread as trusted rehabbers:

Tracey Harpley licensed ONTARIO (kitchener waterloo?)289-231-5932

Wildhaven Joy Huggins 519-590-3676 teakwood drive waterloo ontario joylynn@rogers.com (joylynn@rogers.com) not a tsb member but listed on ontario wildlife rescue websites
one of our members knows her and said she will not euthanize...


You might call them in case they know anyone closer and in case you can't get in contact with Squirrelfriend.

[Milo's Mom]

Jay - where are you in Toronto?

[Runestonez]

The wee one looks like he is about 7 weeks old at least. Emaciated.
If he is seriously emaciated he wont be able to thermo regulate until he gets some proper nutrition in him.

Knowing what area of TO you are in would help...we have rehabbers who may still be available. I am in Guelph...but there are some up around the Oshawa area all the way out to Trenton and Kingston.

Most centers are full this time of year and I believe I heard that Procyon has lost their vet.
Here are a couple of links to try...but it is unlikely you will reach anyone at this time of night...

You will need to check to see if they are willing to rehab or will euthanize.

http://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca/

https://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/find-wildlife-rehabilitator

I can help...but I won't be able to take him off your hands till Saturday evening.

[squirrelfriend]

I can pick him up in the morning. I work nights. I am here at work till 7:00am. I have a dentist appointment at 10:00 am. So I can either pick it up before my appointment or after it. Just let me know.

[squirrelfriend]

I work at a 24 hour Metro grocery store in etobicoke. If you need to you can even bring him here. I could go home on my lunch break to get formula. I have fox valley formula on hand. Let me know and I will give you the address here

[Runestonez]

I talked to Jay tonight on the phone.
He has my number and is going to keep in touch with me.
He has things under control...it is up to the little one now to fight through this.
Hopefully by the morning we will know one way or the other.
He has my email and can reach me if necessary.:thumbsup

[ALittleNutty]

I talked to Jay tonight on the phone.
He has my number and is going to keep in touch with me.
He has things under control...it is up to the little one now to fight through this.
Hopefully by the morning we will know one way or the other.
He has my email and can reach me if necessary.:thumbsup
:thumbsup

[squirrelfriend]

Do you need me to take this baby?

[Runestonez]

Just wanted to update this thread.
I talked to Jay today. The baby has pulled through beautifully...he is up and about and full of energy. Since he is past the danger he should continue to recover and be released.
Jay has done a wonderful job of bringing Banjo around!:thumbsup

[ALittleNutty]

:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup