Six week old fox squirrel, very dehydrated

[harehelper81]

Yesterday my friend saw that a baby fox squirrel had fallen out of it's nest in her front yard. She left it there for almost 24 hours, to be sure it couldn't get back in the tree and etc. Today I picked it up, and I need a refresher on what to do for it. He appears to be about six weeks old, fully furred and eyes open but not climbing etc yet. He is definitely dehydrated, and seems weak. I am a certified vet assistant, and I have the knowledge and the supplies to give it sub-Q fluids (lactated ringers) if needed. But I want to make sure that is the best option before I do it. Also, how long can/should I wait before giving some kind of protein? I have frozen goat's milk, and I can order the Fox Valley formula, (if someone would give me the link?) just need some help with remembering which one is best and how often, etc. Thanks!!

[farrelli]

Basic care:

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

Don;t feed until well hydrated and passed the pinch test. GM is fine, Esbilac power with probiotics is best.

242370

[Rhapsody]

I generally re-hydrate all my babies for a good 8-10 hours before I offer any formula to them.
..... always perform the pinch test to determine if they are well hydrated.

[harehelper81]

Ok, I did do the pinch test, that's how I determined he is dehydrated. So using the Esbilac is ok, then? I take it from the picture the puppy formula? And what should I rehydrate with? Sugar water or sub-Q LR?

[Rhapsody]

I use this homemade pedialyte recipe --subq can be used in severe cases.

1 cup hot water
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar

...... feed Esbilac powder puppy formula with Probiotics after hydration is completed.

[harehelper81]

Yes!! Thanks Rhapsody. Final question (for now, LOL) how much of either the water mixture or the formula does an approximately six week old baby need at one time, and how often should I feed?

[Rhapsody]

Formula - we feed 5-7% of their body weight every 5 hours.......... after first week
you can skip the night feeding and get some sleep, but feed first thing in morning.

Pedialyte - offer 2-3cc every 2 hours if the squirrel will take.

[harehelper81]

ACK!! He has fleas all over him! What do I do for that?

[farrelli]

A bath or wet washcloth wipe down with Dawn dish detergent (blue).

[Rhapsody]

I would WASH with the Dawn dish soap to get rid of all the fleas up front...... make
sure you dry him well before you place him back in his cage. (((hugs)))

[farrelli]

Also, be sure to follow proper feeding technique:

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

Head pointed down, syringe up.

[harehelper81]

Ok, he is TOTALLY refusing to take any of the hydration solution. Poor guy is terrified and only wants to hide. I am keeping things quiet but have to have lights on so I can see what I am doing. Any tips on getting this stuff down him?

[Secret Squirrel]

Try covering his head with a fleece blanket and calm him down for a bit...then introduce the nipple to him under the blanket. It has worked for me with larger kidz that wanted no part of the human giant. :tilt

[Secret Squirrel]

I have had huge success with kitten flea powder. I dust my hands with the flea powder and then pick up the squirrel and rub my hands over the squirrel paying close attention to the underarms, groin, ears and under the neck.
While massaging the squirrel I hold them over an empty bathroom sink.
The fleas fall off into the sink and then you can rinse the dead fleas and mites down the drain.

NEVER POUR OR SPRINKLE THE SQUIRREL DIRECTLY with the KITTEN flea powder. Mites will continue to fall off for several hours so change the bed linens regularly until you see no more dead mites or fleas.

[UDoWhat]

Try covering his head with a fleece blanket and calm him down for a bit...then introduce the nipple to him under the blanket. It has worked for me with larger kidz that wanted no part of the human giant. :tilt

:goodpost Me too. The older ones are just sooooooooo scared of us.

Also be sure that the hydration formula is very warm too. They are use to their mom's milk being very warm and often refuse even formula if it is cold or just not warm enough.

[farrelli]

Seeing that he's old enough to nibble, you might also try watermelon if you absolutely can't get the syringe to work. WM is almost all water.

[Secret Squirrel]

How is the baby doing today? :grouphug