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View Full Version : 6-7 week squirrel, bloody nose, advice needed.



mgee76
09-05-2015, 03:32 AM
We've taken in what seemed at first like a very sickly, small squirrel. Was weakened and seemed to have trouble breathing at first... slight amount of blood coming out of nostrils, snorting noise, etc. We were very concerned and didn't know what to do, so of course I got online and found this forum.

I quickly scanned the first 20 or so pages, and devoured all pertinent threads. In the time that took, the little fellow's breathing stabilized, the blood seemed to drop off a bit, and it seemed to chill out, slightly. My girlfriend whipped up a homemade pedialyte recipe and it drank it up. We then gave it a small piece of peach, not having any appropriate formula. It's 2:30 right now here in Nebraska... she's looking up people to call while I write this (finally got my account OK'd).

He seems to have mellowed out, and fell asleep shortly after the hydration/feeding. We listened very closely to his breath... did not seem to us to be a 'clicking' noise. Rather, more like random snorts. We gather he most likely took a tumble and bumped his nose, which was a little bloody, much like many other little squirrels in previous threads.

He is currently in the bathroom, where we filled the tub with warm water to give him some humidity, as we read that might be good to help with any kind of nasal issues. He is asleep and the breathing seems to be getting better, but we are checking to listen for the clicking, just in case.

Basically I'm wondering if any of you specialists have thoughts on this, and could perhaps give us advice on how to proceed in the morning. I am assuming we will have reached somehow and will be taking him somewhere. This board seems full of great info, though, and so we'd love to have something to refer to upon waking up (or as the night progresses... we may not sleep). We are feeling good about him... positive thoughts.

We brought back a little baby bunny and successfully released him a couple summers ago... definitely trying to get as much information and be as careful as we can here. Thanks for any and all advice, caution, etc.

stepnstone
09-05-2015, 03:49 AM
We've taken in what seemed at first like a very sickly, small squirrel. Was weakened and seemed to have trouble breathing at first... slight amount of blood coming out of nostrils, snorting noise, etc. We were very concerned and didn't know what to do, so of course I got online and found this forum.

I quickly scanned the first 20 or so pages, and devoured all pertinent threads. In the time that took, the little fellow's breathing stabilized, the blood seemed to drop off a bit, and it seemed to chill out, slightly. My girlfriend whipped up a homemade pedialyte recipe and it drank it up. We then gave it a small piece of peach, not having any appropriate formula. It's 2:30 right now here in Nebraska... she's looking up people to call while I write this (finally got my account OK'd).

He seems to have mellowed out, and fell asleep shortly after the hydration/feeding. We listened very closely to his breath... did not seem to us to be a 'clicking' noise. Rather, more like random snorts. We gather he most likely took a tumble and bumped his nose, which was a little bloody, much like many other little squirrels in previous threads.

He is currently in the bathroom, where we filled the tub with warm water to give him some humidity, as we read that might be good to help with any kind of nasal issues. He is asleep and the breathing seems to be getting better, but we are checking to listen for the clicking, just in case.

Basically I'm wondering if any of you specialists have thoughts on this, and could perhaps give us advice on how to proceed in the morning. I am assuming we will have reached somehow and will be taking him somewhere. This board seems full of great info, though, and so we'd love to have something to refer to upon waking up (or as the night progresses... we may not sleep). We are feeling good about him... positive thoughts.

We brought back a little baby bunny and successfully released him a couple summers ago... definitely trying to get as much information and be as careful as we can here. Thanks for any and all advice, caution, etc.

Continue to offer the hydration fluid until you can get formula or sugar water if the baby is hydrated. You can do the pinch test to determine this. I don't know whats available to you there but if you can't locate anyone are you prepared to care for it?
A picture would be helpful to put a guess on age and to see what you are dealing with.

mgee76
09-05-2015, 04:23 AM
She did the pinch test... said it didn't seem like much to pinch, or not a lot of neck skin.

Little squirrel weighed 7 oz, wrapped in a thin shirt. We are preparing to care for it as long as we have to... just want to make sure we're doing the best we can while it is in our care. I will try to get a picture... not really a camera at the moment. We'll keep checking to see if it takes hydration (formula was 2 cups warm water, 1.5 tablespoons sugar, .5 teaspoons salt). Thank you!

stepnstone
09-05-2015, 04:42 AM
What are you feeding with?
Do you know what type squirrel it is?

7 oz, approx 198 grams. Based on the "average" weight of a healthy grey squirrel, that would put baby between 6-7 weeks.
This baby will need formula and a 1cc syringe for proper feeding. Formula recommended is powered Esbilac puppy formula with the pro and pre biotics. They are fed between 5-7% of body weight. Your baby should be eating 9.9 cc's @ 5% - 13.8 cc's @ 7%. each feeding. A 6-7 week old would be eating every 4-5 hours. Not necessary throughout the night.
Baby needs to be warm before feeding, formula needs to be very warm when feeding. Remember, head up, syringe pointed up, butt down.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=262941&stc=1

:poke Do you have a boy or Girl?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=262942&stc=1

mgee76
09-05-2015, 12:45 PM
We've purchased Esbilac and will be feeding very soon... weighs 151 grams this morning, so we are going to give it 7.5 ccs of formula. Am I doing the math right here?

stepnstone
09-05-2015, 02:41 PM
We've purchased Esbilac and will be feeding very soon... weighs 151 grams this morning, so we are going to give it 7.5 ccs of formula. Am I doing the math right here?

You are correct, that would be at the 5% range. :thumbsup

mgee76
09-06-2015, 09:38 PM
This little guy is getting active! When are we OK to release him? We're feeding him regularly, he seems much improved. We're kind nervous about keeping him over the winter? Is it best to reintroduce him before the winter hits, or should we pass him on to somebody with more experience and a facility in place? We have loved taking care of him, but are starting to feel like he might be ready? First squirrel, so no idea on age limitations.

pappy1264
09-06-2015, 09:49 PM
He really should be overwintered. Most do not release before 14-16 weeks minimum (many go 20+ weeks or more). Being we are into September, you are looking at another two months before he could be released, and by then nothing left on trees, no time to get setup out there. But he def. cannot be released now, way too young!

mgee76
09-07-2015, 12:23 PM
I'd read that, but just wanted to double-check. He's just getting so feisty, which I guess is a sign that we've been doing our jobs? The repeated attempts to escape, though, are starting to add up. How soon can he take the formula from a dish? Or be placed in a larger cage? I'm thinking he needs to go somewhere more equipped.