A few questions...

[Choco]

Hello again!
I adopted a gray squirrel and I have a few questions...

First of all, I'm wondering how old he is exactly. When I found him 12 days ago, his eyes were open but his ears weren't expanded, which happened about 3 days later. Since then, his lower teeth had grown and the upper ones are almost grown too. Can you guess his age from these informations?

Also, I'm wondering if I should start to give him water or only his milk formula? And how much of it should I give and what frequency?

I tried to let him suck on dry fruits which he loved to do, but he's begining to nibble on them and I'm affraid that he's gonna choke on the little bits he's taking off of them with his teeth. Should I wait?

He also scratches himsel from time to time, but I can't see any parasites... Is this an usual habit?

How long does a squirrel sleep during the day? Mine sleeps a lot, but he's very playful during his waking moments.

Last question (for now!) : I live in Québec, Canada (which explains my poor english... sorry about that!) and the winters are very cold here. I'm affraid that by the time he's gonna be ready to be released, it's gonna be too cold for him... and the outdoor cage that I'll build might not be enough...I'd be willing to keep him until next spring, but I'm affraid that the more I wait, the harder his return to the wild life will be! And he might get the urge to find a mate by then...What should I do?

Thank you so much for your help!

[stepnstone]

Answers to questions within your quote in red...


Hello again!
I adopted a gray squirrel and I have a few questions...

First of all, I'm wondering how old he is exactly. When I found him 12 days ago, his eyes were open but his ears weren't expanded, which happened about 3 days later. Since then, his lower teeth had grown and the upper ones are almost grown too. Can you guess his age from these informations?
Eyes open at five weeks, it sounds as if he might be around 6 weeks or so. If you can post a picture it would be more helpful.

Also, I'm wondering if I should start to give him water or only his milk formula? And how much of it should I give and what frequency?
Water should always be provided either in dish, water bottle or both. What "milk" formula are you feeding? You need to know the baby's weight, feeding goes by weight of the squirrel and they are fed between 5-7% of their body weight. Depending on actual age, he should be fed every 4 hours.

I tried to let him suck on dry fruits which he loved to do, but he's begining to nibble on them and I'm affraid that he's gonna choke on the little bits he's taking off of them with his teeth. Should I wait?
Dried/dehydrated fruits are not good to feed. The first solid food he needs to be introduced to is a good quality rodent block. Once he weans himself, block is your assurance against mbd. He should be eating block and eating it well before other solid foods are introduced.

He also scratches himsel from time to time, but I can't see any parasites... Is this an usual habit?
They do scratch often but if it is or becomes excessive you can treat for any unseen parasite (like mites) with a drop of either (puppy/kitten) Revolution or Frontline.
What kind of container or cage are you keeping him in? He may also "just" have dry skin which could be easily remedied by adding moisture with a small sponge in a container within his environment.

How long does a squirrel sleep during the day? Mine sleeps a lot, but he's very playful during his waking moments.
Baby squirrels do sleep alot... not unusual.

Last question (for now!) : I live in Québec, Canada (which explains my poor english... sorry about that!) and the winters are very cold here. I'm affraid that by the time he's gonna be ready to be released, it's gonna be too cold for him... and the outdoor cage that I'll build might not be enough...I'd be willing to keep him until next spring, but I'm affraid that the more I wait, the harder his return to the wild life will be! And he might get the urge to find a mate by then...What should I do?
At his age he will need to be overwintered, with a proper soft release in the spring he will be fine. He will have plenty of time to find a mate...

Thank you so much for your help!

[Choco]

Thank you so much!!!!

I'll go buy a scale and Milk replacer feed for puppie this afternoon! And I'll post a new pic later...

[Spanky]

Thank you so much!!!!

I'll go buy a scale and Milk replacer feed for puppie this afternoon! And I'll post a new pic later...

Not just any puppy milk replacer. It should be Esbilac, the powdered kind with Pre and Probiotics. The third ingredient should be "dried whey protein concentrate".

[Choco]

Thanks Spanky! I already got this information in another post :great:glomp

[Choco]

2 pics that I took today...hopefully, it will help to guess his age...

[stepnstone]

6-7 weeks.
Because so many don't realize little girls genitals protrude also,
I like to check to be sure... :tilt
Boy or girl?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=262915&stc=1

[Choco]

Doh! I think that my little boy is actually a little girl haha! :laugh1

So I bought a scale today and found out that she weighs 180mg, which means that she must be 7-8 weeks old. I'll try to give her some solid food tomorrow (probably mushrooms, apple tree branches and watermelon).

She doesn't understand how to drink water by herself yet (either on a dish or water bottle) but I'll try to teach her!

Thanks again to everyone for your help! :blowkiss

[stepnstone]

Doh! I think that my little boy is actually a little girl haha! :laugh1

So I bought a scale today and found out that she weighs 180mg, which means that she must be 7-8 weeks old. I'll try to give her some solid food tomorrow (probably mushrooms, apple tree branches and watermelon).

She doesn't understand how to drink water by herself yet (either on a dish or water bottle) but I'll try to teach her!

Thanks again to everyone for your help! :blowkiss

She should still be given formula and I will repeat....
"The first solid food he needs to be introduced to is a good quality rodent block. Once he weans himself, block is your assurance against mbd. He should be eating block and eating it well before other solid foods are introduced."

[Shewhosweptforest]

:grin3 That happens much more often then you think :Love_Icon She's adorable :klunk

[Choco]

She should still be given formula and l repeat....
"The first solid food he needs to be introduced to is a good quality rodent block. Once he weans himself, block is your assurance against mbd. He should be eating block and eating it well before other solid foods are introduced."

I can't find a website that ships Henry's blocks to Canada. I read that Oxbow Regal Rat Food could be an option... (which I could easily get from amazon.ca). Would it be ok?

[stepnstone]

I can't find a website that ships Henry's blocks to Canada. I read that Oxbow Regal Rat Food could be an option... (which I could easily get from amazon.ca). Would it be ok?
Sorry, I keep forgetting you are in Canada. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/facepalm-gesture-smiley-emoticon.gif
I have heard of that brand and believe it is acceptable.