Identify Age? Found Baby? Flying Squirrel

[G0dn0te]

I've worked with flying squirrels before, have had 2 that were not rehabilitate. Our friend just found a young baby, curled up on the ground in the middle of her field (no trees around). She picked him up and he sunk into her hands wanting pets and attention. I'm going to pick him in 2 hours after I can get out of work, as she isn't sure how to care for him.

We're not sure of age, and he was curled up in a tight ball earlier today when she found him. He isn't cold, she has him half on a heating pad, half not so he can move back and forth. Very calm, let her pet him, didn't have a flight instinct.

She's been giving a little bit of warmed goat milk (she has her own dairy goats), through an eyedropper and I'm working with her with amount.

I've attached a couple of photos, to maybe identify an age.

Thanks!
Sarah278596278597278598

[pixiepoo]

So precious. Do you have any pics with his body in them? If he is greasy still, he is younger. I wound guess at least 6 weeks, probably closer to 8 or 10

[G0dn0te]

Hi Pixie,

We don't have photos of the body yet, because she was worried about getting him warmed up. When I have him with me I can get some more photos for you. With how calm and willing to come to her he was I'd assume he's pretty young, definitely not an adult. (Not even sure of the gender yet actually.)

[pixiepoo]

Yes I would definitely say a baby or juvenile as well. :) I may not know age or gender but what I do know is that he/she is ADORABLE! Love the light colored hair on his/her head.

[Rhapsody]

I would place this cute little guy around 8 weeks old.
Please feed with a 1cc syringe to avoid aspiration.

[G0dn0te]

I agree Rhapsody. I have some supplies with me, as well as whole raw goat milk (I also own goats. She's actually my goat breeder! ) that I can use to feed him. I'm trying to remember if I'm forgetting anything else. Milk. Heating pad. I have a box for now, any recommended container for a baby squirrel? I have big cages for my full-grown girl, but would not want to introduce them until I'm sure this guy is healthy, and doesn't have any mites or things he can give my girl. Not to mention making sure he is strong, and that any meeting is supervised so she doesn't hurt him. She's never been around another flying squirrel as we rescued her at a young age as well.

[Rhapsody]

Here is a link to a basic set up that will work great for
a baby flying squirrel, and regular squirrels.

http://www.henryspets.com/1-basic-setup/?fullSite=1

[G0dn0te]

He is TINY and greasy. SO definitely young. Will post photos in a minute.

[G0dn0te]

278603278604278605

He definitely looks young. Maybe 5 or 6 weeks?

Will upload a video of him eating in a moment. :)

[G0dn0te]

https://youtu.be/yiiexyyHnoI

[G0dn0te]

Looks like a cat got their mom. Friend just found another baby, but this one was passed away. No sign of any other siblings. Glad we got to this guy in time. He's pretty skinny too.

[G0dn0te]

Any age guesses? I need a rough estimate so I know how much to feed.

Also, is raw goats milk okay? We have Nigerian Dwarfs, higher in butter fat, fresh from the utter. I don't have FoxValley at this time, but am getting some in.

ALSO what should I do about fleas? He has a couple crawling on him I managed to get off and crush (I have poodles, long haired dogs and can't have them getting fleas) and I don't want him anemic. Any advice there?

[Mel1959]

A warm bath with dawn detergent will get rid of the fleas. Make sure he stays warm until completely dry. He's very cute!:serene

[pappy1264]

You would still go by weight to figure out how much to feed.

[Rhapsody]

You would still go by weight to figure out how much to feed.

Pappy is right here... we feed our squirrels their formula @ 5-7 % of their body weight.

[G0dn0te]

Ok he weighs 3.5-4 kgs.

[Rhapsody]

Ok he weighs 3.5-4 kgs.

Do you mean....... grams?
I need his weight in grams.

[G0dn0te]

Do you mean....... grams?
I need his weight in grams.

Sorry 50 grams 1.77 oz

[Rhapsody]

Sorry 50 grams 1.77 oz

Your little one can eat 2.5 cc to 3.5 cc
....... every four hours.

[G0dn0te]

Your little one can eat 2.5 cc to 3.5 cc
....... every four hours.

OK so maximum 3.5C C every 4 hours. Does that mean throughout the night as well, or he Can be Fed L ate in the evening likeat midnight and then be fed early in the morning like at 6:00 Or seven? W hatever he needsAs i'm no stranger to bottle-feeding throughout the night.

[G0dn0te]

OK so maximum 3.5C C every 4 hours. Does that mean throughout the night as well, or he Can be Fed L ate in the evening likeat midnight and then be fed early in the morning like at 6:00 Or seven? W hatever he needsAs i'm no stranger to bottle-feeding throughout the night.


He only wants to eat 1 and 1/5th ccs of milk. Then he'll stop and kind of regurgitate a tiny bit like a mouthful. Im being careful to not let him aspirate and am feeding him propped up.

[G0dn0te]

I'll have ro get a gram weight in the morning because I dont think it is accurate.

[G0dn0te]

Ok. Accurate weight is 20 grams.

Last question. According to one website, he can regulate heat and won't need heat pad. Also he can skip a night feeding. Want your opinion.

[Rhapsody]

OK so maximum 3.5C C every 4 hours. Does that mean throughout the night as well, or he Can be Fed L ate in the evening likeat midnight and then be fed early in the morning like at 6:00 Or seven? W hatever he needsAs i'm no stranger to bottle-feeding throughout the night.

Yes, you can feed late at night, then get some sleep, then feed again first thing in the morning. Make sure he drinks at least 2cc of formula, but no more than 3.5cc at each feeding atm.

[Rhapsody]

Ok. Accurate weight is 20 grams.

Then he can have 1cc to 1.5 cc at each feeding.

[G0dn0te]

Perfect. What about heating pad at 5 weeks? As 20 grams places him at 5 weeks according to a list im looking at.

[cava]

According to one website, he can regulate heat and won't need heat pad.

Leave a heating pad under half of whatever you are keeping him in. He will move off of it if he doesn't want it, but give him the option.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't realize it's a flying squirrel. I have grays. Let's see what others say about the heating pad.

[G0dn0te]

Sounds about right. I will set a 2 hour alarm as thr pad i have shuts off after 2 hours.

[Rhapsody]

Perfect. What about heating pad at 5 weeks? As 20 grams places him at 5 weeks according to a list im looking at.

I keep a heating pad on my babies til they are 8 weeks old.
From my exp they seem to still need the heat until then.

[G0dn0te]

Perfect. How old would you estimate him to be ?

[Rhapsody]

Perfect. How old would you estimate him to be ?

After seeing the pics with his body ..... I would say 6 weeks.

[G0dn0te]

He's a champion eater. 1.5 CC of raw, warmed goat milk. I'll start adding the cream to the milk as the baby feeding formula recommends. Anything else I should get too since he's most likely 6 weeks?

[BCChins]

I do not know anything about goats milk...Does it have a cream top like cows milk does> If so would you need to add more cream to it?

[G0dn0te]

I do not know anything about goats milk...Does it have a cream top like cows milk does> If so would you need to add more cream to it?

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/94/2

[G0dn0te]

Is this accurate to follow for feeding age wise? Also what age should I star feeding and offering solid foods?

[G0dn0te]

http://www.arcforwildlife.com/flyers.htm sorry here is link.