Baby Squirrels Mother not seen for 2 days

[DixiesMom]

We have a nest box in our birch tree with at least 3 baby squirrels, approximately 5 weeks old (eyes fully open).
We haven't seen the mother for 2 days now and we are concerned.
They look healthy and seem active from our restricted view.
Any advice on how long to wait before intervening and if this is required, what will they require immediately for sustenance.
(water & food)
If the mother does not show up today (Wednesday May 6th) that will be 3 days missing.
All advice is appreciated.

[Bravo]

:Welcome Thanks for keeping an eye on these 3. Here's the drill:

Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)
Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. [b] Find a Box or Container[b]
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

Note: If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.

3. Rehydrate the Baby

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

How to Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

[b] Supplies You Will Need: [b]
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores.

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby should be held upright in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.

[DixiesMom]

Thank you.
These babies are in the nest box and appear healthy.
What we need to know is: how long should we wait before taking them from the nest box?
The mother comes to our porch almost every day for food.
Today will be the 3rd day we haven't seen the mother.

[CritterMom]

Can you climb up and check them? If she has been gone three days they could be in terrible shape by now. She is their only source of food.

[DixiesMom]

I can climb to the nest box.
We have taken care of 2 babies before. 1 was a pinky and the other came to us at about seven weeks.
Can these babies be given anything to drink or eat without removing them?
I would hate to take them form the nest box if their mother is still around.

[CritterMom]

If they are fat and happy and hydrated, she is still around. If they are dehydrated and looking poorly, she is gone. You can offer them warm pedialyte by syringe if you wish, but I would expect you will find one extreme or the other after 3 days.

If you find fat, happy babies, just shut the lid and get out of there - hopefully she won't move them elsewhere if you don't mess with things.

[megatronisabeast]

I would think that if mom hasn't shown up she won't be. It is best if you took them down and fed them. You could put them out early in the morning or late afternoon when you see squirrels in your yard to see if she comes back, but at this she she doesn't just leave. Something happened most likely.

[DixiesMom]

2 of the babies just came out of the nest box and climbed down the tree.
I have the 2 is an indoor cage now.
There are 3 or 4 more in the nest box still.
We already have 1 adult squirrel that is partially paralyzed and non-releasable that we take care of.
If the mother does not return I would be looking for anybody that can help with these little guys.
We live just a few miles from Montreal.

[Monipenny]

Can you get the others? You have your hands full, tend to the babies needs and let us know how they are doing. So happy you have been watching out for these little ones.

[DixiesMom]

I have two babies right now and it looks like there might be a total of six.
The two babies I have, came out of the nest box and climbed down our tree.
They are healthy and do not seem to have any fleas.
We really have our hands full now!
Please... if anyone has experience and can help out, I would be willing to travel.

[CritterMom]

SIX?? Are these red squirrels?

[DixiesMom]

No they are Eastern Grey squirrels. Four are Gray and two are Black/ Brown.

[Bravo]

There aren't a lot of contacts in your area... I've messaged a member in Ontario, and sadly that's about as close as we get. She may have some suggestions- otherwise it comes down to anyone local who may be able to help. There's a no-kill shelter in Montreal at http://www.animalrescuenetwork.org/ and a Humane Society listing at https://www.humanesociety.com/index.php/animals-a-the-earth/wildlife-rescue-a-rehabilitation-centres/90-qc-wildlife-rescue-a-rehabilitation-centres .

The challenge for these (even if they have a no-kill policy) is that they may not accept squirrels.

[SammysMom]

Thank goodness you are keeping an eye out for these little ones. I am sure mama would be happy her human neighbor stepped in when she was unable to take care of them herself. Is it possible to get a picture of them, or one of them so we have an idea of age? Sometimes when there are more in the litter they seem to be smaller. Thinking that I wondered if maybe they are a little older than you first thought. How is it going with the others in the box?

[DixiesMom]

Well we have all six babies now indoors. They all have been given pedialyte and all now sleeping tight.
They are in pretty good shape, just a few fleas. We have a decent size indoor cage and right now they are in a cat carrier.
We have a large outdoor enclosure 7' x 4' x 7' that is occupied by Dixie our non-releasable. This enclosure was originally used as a release cage.
I'm not sure how Dixie would react to having company, just a thought at this point.
This is all very sudden and overwhelming and as these babies quickly grow, I'm not sure how we will be able to cope.
Please spread the word that we are looking for much needed help!!!
As I said before, I am willing to travel any reasonable distance.
Thank you to all.

[Nancy in New York]

Well we have all six babies now indoors. They all have been given pedialyte and all now sleeping tight.
They are in pretty good shape, just a few fleas. We have a decent size indoor cage and right now they are in a cat carrier.
We have a large outdoor enclosure 7' x 4' x 7' that is occupied by Dixie our non-releasable. This enclosure was originally used as a release cage.
I'm not sure how Dixie would react to having company, just a thought at this point.
This is all very sudden and overwhelming and as these babies quickly grow, I'm not sure how we will be able to cope.
Please spread the word that we are looking for much needed help!!!
As I said before, I am willing to travel any reasonable distance.
Thank you to all.

Send a pm to iwonka and to astra, they are in Canada and members of this board.
Not sure if they are close, but perhaps they can help you locate someone to help you.
Thank you for helping these poor little souls. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon :Love_Icon