Needing a little advice on my rescue!

[Winter112]

I have fallen in love with my Eastern Grey rescue. His home tree was cut down and unfortunately his mother never returned for him.
I have had him a little over 6 weeks now and even though we have hit a few bumps in the road he seems to be happy and healthy despite of his broken wrist which he suffered I am guessing when the tree fell. I did seek out the advice of the vet regarding his wrist and although it is healing nicely we are afraid that there will be forever nerve damage. I at first was very set on releasing him once he was of age however now I am very conflicted. The advice I am asking for is where to go from here?? He is starting to ween and honestly refuses milk except for every once and awhile. I have started him out slowly introducing new foods and I am running out of ideas.. so far he will eat cheerios, a little banana, pecans, almonds, and carrots. I want him to have adequate nutrition but I am stuck.. I unfortunately second guess myself at every turn. He has a very large bird cage with a nest box as of right now because of his age and comes out to play for about 4 hours a day.
I need conformation that I am doing this right.. There is so many blogs online and each contradicts the next..
Any and all KIND advice is welcomed and appreciated.

[Winter112]

I just ordered Henry's block.

[stepnstone]

I have fallen in love with my Eastern Grey rescue. His home tree was cut down and unfortunately his mother never returned for him.
I have had him a little over 6 weeks now and even though we have hit a few bumps in the road he seems to be happy and healthy despite of his broken wrist which he suffered I am guessing when the tree fell. I did seek out the advice of the vet regarding his wrist and although it is healing nicely we are afraid that there will be forever nerve damage. I at first was very set on releasing him once he was of age however now I am very conflicted. The advice I am asking for is where to go from here?? He is starting to ween and honestly refuses milk except for every once and awhile. I have started him out slowly introducing new foods and I am running out of ideas.. so far he will eat cheerios, a little banana, pecans, almonds, and carrots. I want him to have adequate nutrition but I am stuck.. I unfortunately second guess myself at every turn. He has a very large bird cage with a nest box as of right now because of his age and comes out to play for about 4 hours a day.
I need conformation that I am doing this right.. There is so many blogs online and each contradicts the next..
Any and all KIND advice is welcomed and appreciated.

Using the word "milk" is scary... what kind of formula have you been feeding?
The first and only solid food your baby should be introduced to AND eating well
before any other solid foods are introduced is a good quality rodent block such
as Henry's which are made especially for a squirrels nutritional requirements.
Once eating block well you need to feed according to the healthy food chart
that relates to squirrels and providing a healthy diet.

Below is links to Henry's HHB's and the healthy diet *chart.
(*click on picture to enlarge)
http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-%28Revised-2-13%29

[Winter112]

I have him on puppy formula Esbilac.
I actually got him from another person who had him on regular cows milk for the first two days.. That I knew was definitely a no-no.
I was reading about thread and found the link for the Henry's block, I went ahead and ordered it.. Should I take away all other food from here on out except the formula until the block arrives?

[Winter112]

The link for the proper diet you sent was invalid.

Also I have given him a branch from his home tree and a piece of antler for chewing. Is this okay? He was starting to chew on his cage.

[Winter112]

264200

264201

[stepnstone]

Sorry, Here's the right link;
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

Good for you on the block, which one did you order?
I would pull all (solid) foods until he's eating his block
then add in veggies from the healthy diet. Nuts for a
"captive" should only be allowed as treats.

[Winter112]

The high protein blocks for baby squirrels.
How much time do you think is adequate for him to be out and running around?
Also, I posted pictures of him.. do you have any idea on age?

[stepnstone]

Oh wow, I just saw his pictures....
The deficiency in his diet is obvious by his coat or I should say lack of.
Is the Esbilac puppy formula the one recommended on here with the pre
and pro biotics?

[Winter112]

Yes, it is the Pet Ag Esbilac.
He is refusing milk, he won't eat from a syringe any longer and only sips from a saucer.

[stepnstone]

Is this the formula?
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=264202&stc=1
With him wanting to wean he really does need the HHB's.
Once he gets some proper nutrition his coat should really fill in.

You say you have had hin 6 weeks, was his eyes open or closed
when you received him?

[Winter112]

Yes that is the formula.
I have had him almost three and the previous lady that had him on cows milk had him about three. She said that his eyes were shut when she first got him but only for a few days.

I'm sorry HBB'S are the blocks?

[stepnstone]

Yes that is the formula.
I have had him almost three and the previous lady that had him on cows milk had him about three. She said that his eyes were shut when she first got him but only for a few days.

I'm sorry HBB'S are the blocks?

A grey's eyes open normally at 5 weeks of age. So if she had him 3 and you've had him 3,
that would put him around 10-11 weeks.http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/shocked/jaw-drop-smiley-emoticon.gif

If that's true his growth really has been stunted and that can be credited to the cow's milk.
I'm sure with your help and a healthy diet you can turn him around and get him to catch up.

Yes, HHB's are block. Henry's Healthy Block. :great

[Winter112]

How often should he be out and running around on a daily basis? I am so worried that I am doing everything wrong now. I am sorry for all the questions, I've taken him to the vet but unfortunately they are not much help.. not anywhere as near as you've been.

[stepnstone]

Another thought...
At his age he would be weaning from mom.
However, you might try adding some full fat yogurt to his formula and
see if he'll take to it better.
Another suggestion would be to offer some ensure, he needs all the
good nutrition he can get. They have almond flavor that many feed
or the vanilla if you can't find the almond.

Is he staying hydrated? Do you see him drinking water?

[Winter112]

I can coax him to drink from the water bottle and he will sip here and there from the dish of water but not as much as i would like. I have the liquid carnation instant breakfast already, is that the same? If not I will run out and grab some Ensure right away.

Honestly, what are your views on releasing versus keeping as "pets" ?
I am completely committed to keeping him if his wrists is a true issue, however I don't want that to be my selfish reason for keeping him.

[stepnstone]

How often should he be out and running around on a daily basis? I am so worried that I am doing everything wrong now. I am sorry for all the questions, I've taken him to the vet but unfortunately they are not much help.. not anywhere as near as you've been.

I'd give him at least a couple hours of supervised free roam or longer if your up to it.
You ask any and all questions that come to mind, this is how we learn.

Most vets are domestic vets and do not deal with wildlife so it's not surprising when
you say they were not much help. Having a vet that knows and deals with wildlife
is far and few but priceless when you find one.

[stepnstone]

I think we're over writing ourselves so make sure you are scrolling back to see if anything got missed...


I can coax him to drink from the water bottle and he will sip here and there from the dish of water but not as much as i would like. I have the liquid carnation instant breakfast already, is that the same? If not I will run out and grab some Ensure right away.

Honestly, what are your views on releasing versus keeping as "pets" ?
I am completely committed to keeping him if his wrists is a true issue, however I don't want that to be my selfish reason for keeping him.

I do not believe the Carnation has the same qualities as the Ensure.

My personal opinion... Grey Squirrels are not meant to be pets and deserve their freedom to be in the trees as
their lives were intended. Unless there is a real physical reason that would make them non-releasable they should
be properly prepared with a soft release when the time comes and set free.
I too have had a squirrel with a broken wrist. The bones will calcify, heal over and it does not stop them at all.
As long as they can move their "fingers" they learn better then we to compensate.

[Winter112]

That is also my feelings, as in love with the little guy as I am, he deserves to be in the wild. I have left word with the sanctuary here in town that when they have room to please let me know. When I first got him he would not even move his hand and now he is running and jumping.. at first I never would have thought of releasing him however the longer time goes on he is getting stronger and stronger.
With that being said, if I soft release him myself is it better to hold back on as much handling as possible?

[stepnstone]

That is also my feelings, as in love with the little guy as I am, he deserves to be in the wild. I have left word with the sanctuary here in town that when they have room to please let me know. When I first got him he would not even move his hand and now he is running and jumping.. at first I never would have thought of releasing him however the longer time goes on he is getting stronger and stronger.
With that being said, if I soft release him myself is it better to hold back on as much handling as possible?

Your handling him while in "captivity" is not going to harm him and they need that interaction especially since
I'm assuming he's going to be over wintered. When you do a proper soft release he will be in an outside cage and
all you will be doing is feeding him and not handling him. This gives them time to get familiar with the sights, sounds,
other squirrels in the area, and to wild up which they will do.
You haven't mentioned any other pets but if you do have cats or dogs do not allow him around them. Once released
you do not want him to think it's ok to be around them.

What is this "sanctuary" you speak of? Do you know much about them and are you sure they would be a safe haven
for a squirrel?