Houston Help Baby Squirrel

[Dragonfly_]

First off, I did not take this squirrel from the wild it was brought to me by one of my students parents (Animal Science). I am trying to locate a rehab center for him. But many of the rehab centers are closed down or don't accept squirrels. So, far a vet offered to put him down for free (NO!!). Another vet told me I should get my rehab license if no one takes squirrels... I need help keeping him alive until I get him to a rehab center.

I don't know much about squirrels...help please.

Eyes Closed - 3-4 weeks old best guess.

I've had him for 3 days now. Feeding with syringe with nipple attachment, rehydrated him with unflavored Pedialyte. Started feeding him Esbilac yesterday morning. His last bowel movement was around 12pm yesterday 3:43pm now, next day. He is stomach is more filled out than before, but not hard and not very bloated. He is still nursing and very strong, able to hold his own bodyweight. Sometimes, I cant get him off my finger. Lots of lightly yellow watery pee but no poop... I could tell if he did, he is in a white fleece blanket with white paper towels.

His Poo Poo...
When I first got him they were hard lil turds, as they should be in the wild. His poop then became a more liquidly brown mustard color. Then had some bubbles mixed in (gas?) then no more. I started him back on Pedialyte, no more formula until he poops, gave him a pediatric gas reliever (5 hours ago & one drop). Still no poop. I read something about Gerber Baby food helping, but wanted to reach out before I experiment too much on the lil guy.

Please someone help me save this guy until I can get him to a rehab center...

Thank you!

[Nancy in New York]

First off, I did not take this squirrel from the wild it was brought to me by one of my students parents (Animal Science). I am trying to locate a rehab center for him. But many of the rehab centers are closed down or don't accept squirrels. So, far a vet offered to put him down for free (NO!!). Another vet told me I should get my rehab license if no one takes squirrels... I need help keeping him alive until I get him to a rehab center.

I don't know much about squirrels...help please.

Eyes Closed - 3-4 weeks old best guess.

I've had him for 3 days now. Feeding with syringe with nipple attachment, rehydrated him with unflavored Pedialyte. Started feeding him Esbilac yesterday morning. His last bowel movement was around 12pm yesterday 3:43pm now, next day. He is stomach is more filled out than before, but not hard and not very bloated. He is still nursing and very strong, able to hold his own bodyweight. Sometimes, I cant get him off my finger. Lots of lightly yellow watery pee but no poop... I could tell if he did, he is in a white fleece blanket with white paper towels.

His Poo Poo...
When I first got him they were hard lil turds, as they should be in the wild. His poop then became a more liquidly brown mustard color. Then had some bubbles mixed in (gas?) then no more. I started him back on Pedialyte, no more formula until he poops, gave him a pediatric gas reliever (5 hours ago & one drop). Still no poop. I read something about Gerber Baby food helping, but wanted to reach out before I experiment too much on the lil guy.

Please someone help me save this guy until I can get him to a rehab center...

Thank you!

Here, start here and go to the link in blue.
It's 6 pages long, and will help with most of your questions.
Start reading and I will start typing more.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?51708-4skwerlz-Baby-Squirrel-Care

[Nancy in New York]

First off, I did not take this squirrel from the wild it was brought to me by one of my students parents (Animal Science). I am trying to locate a rehab center for him. But many of the rehab centers are closed down or don't accept squirrels. So, far a vet offered to put him down for free (NO!!). Another vet told me I should get my rehab license if no one takes squirrels... I need help keeping him alive until I get him to a rehab center.

I don't know much about squirrels...help please.

Eyes Closed - 3-4 weeks old best guess.

I've had him for 3 days now. Feeding with syringe with nipple attachment, rehydrated him with unflavored Pedialyte. Started feeding him Esbilac yesterday morning. His last bowel movement was around 12pm yesterday 3:43pm now, next day. He is stomach is more filled out than before, but not hard and not very bloated. He is still nursing and very strong, able to hold his own bodyweight. Sometimes, I cant get him off my finger. Lots of lightly yellow watery pee but no poop... I could tell if he did, he is in a white fleece blanket with white paper towels.

His Poo Poo...
When I first got him they were hard lil turds, as they should be in the wild. His poop then became a more liquidly brown mustard color. Then had some bubbles mixed in (gas?) then no more. I started him back on Pedialyte, no more formula until he poops, gave him a pediatric gas reliever (5 hours ago & one drop). Still no poop. I read something about Gerber Baby food helping, but wanted to reach out before I experiment too much on the lil guy.

Please someone help me save this guy until I can get him to a rehab center...
Thank you!

First what city are you in.
We can see if we have a member who can help you.
Please don't take him to a rehab center until we have exhausted our resources.

Are you feeding him Powdered Puppy Esbilac?
The liquid Esbilac causes diarhhea in these little ones.
This is the correct one.
I wrote more after this photo, just didn't want you to miss it. :)
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CDTTKJg/0/S/i-CDTTKJg-S.jpg

What size syringe are you using?
How often are you feeding?
What amount are you feeding.

Sometimes it takes a couple of days for these little ones
to start pooping normally. The important thing is that his tummy is NOT hard
and bloated.

Make sure that you have his container half on and half off of a heating pad,
set on low. Put fleece or anything without loops in his container
so he can climb up, in case the heating pad
overheats, he needs to get away from the heat source.
Can you post a picture of him, and your set up?
I'm glad that you found us and are holding off experimenting with this little one.
Hopefully we can get this little one back on track.

[Dragonfly_]

First what city are you in. HOUSTON



Are you feeding him Powdered Puppy Esbilac? YES WITH PRO AND PRE-BIOTICS



What size syringe are you using? Started with 5cc syringe (have a 1cc but the nipple does not fit) Syringe is oiled and Drop By Drop slow feeding.

How often are you feeding? Every 2 hrs once during the night.

What amount are you feeding. 1.5cc Now reduced to 1cc petiolyte every hour

Sometimes it takes a couple of days for these little ones
to start pooping normally. The important thing is that his tummy is NOT hard
and bloated.

Make sure that you have his container half on and half off of a heating pad,
set on low. Make sure that he has enough to climb up on in case the heating pad
overheats, he needs to get away from the heat source.
Can you post a picture of him, and your set up?
I'm glad that you found us and are holding off experimenting with this little one.
Hopefully we can get this little one back on track.

I HAD IT SET UP WHERE HE COULD CLIMB BUT NOT HALF AND HALF.280087280086280088280089280090280091280092280 093

[Dragonfly_]

Tried to get some good shots of his belly. I have the exact container from the instructions I am going to set it up now.

[Nancy in New York]

Please answer the questions in my second post.
Then we can guide you more.
Thanks for helping this little one.:hug

EDIT: Oh I see you answered them in your post. :hidechair

[Nancy in New York]

What is the weight on this little one?

We need to get some formula into him
We can hydrate him in between feedings, but
he's quite skinny.

[Dragonfly_]

Please answer the questions in my second post.
Then we can guide you more.
Thanks for helping this little one.:hug

EDIT: Oh I see you answered them in your post. :hidechair


Do you need me to take more pics? Tried to get good abdomen shots for you. Would you say that is bloated?

[Nancy in New York]

Do you need me to take more pics? Tried to get good abdomen shots for you. Would you say that is bloated?

I don't think so, does it feel hard?

[Dragonfly_]

What is the weight on this little one?

We need to get some formula into him
We can hydrate him in between feedings, but
he's quite skinny.

He is 39.4 grams

[Dragonfly_]

I don't think so, does it feel hard?

Not really... Definitely not rock hard.

[Nancy in New York]

He is 39.4 grams

WOW he's tiny.
At this weight, he should be eating 5-7% of his body weight at each feeding.
That would be 2 - 2.8 cc's every feeding. Go to three hours if he takes this
amount. We need to get some "meat" on this little one.
I can see his little hip bones. :(

I reached out to a member in Houston, and hopefully she will
come on with some help.

Are you able to feed this little one while working?

[Nancy in New York]

I changed your title to get more attention.
I will be off board for a while, so hopefully others
will chime in. :hug

[Dragonfly_]

WOW he's tiny.
At this weight, he should be eating 5-7% of his body weight at each feeding.
That would be 2 - 2.8 cc's every feeding. Go to three hours if he takes this
amount. We need to get some "meat" on this little one.
I can see his little hip bones. :(

I reached out to a member in Houston, and hopefully she will
come on with some help.

Are you able to feed this little one while working?


Yes I can feed him at work since I teach animal science he is a cute lab for my students. So I guess I have been underfeeding him. I am just worried about overfeeding him. Should I still dilute the Esbilac 1 part formula and 3 parts water?

[Nancy in New York]

Yes I can feed him at work since I teach animal science he is a cute lab for my students. So I guess I have been underfeeding him. I am just worried about overfeeding him. Should I still dilute the Esbilac 1 part formula and 3 parts water?

I just came back up to clarify something.
When you increase the formula, do so gradually.
He should be on 1 part formula to 2 parts water.
Maybe that was the problem as well. :dono
Does he appear hungry when you finish, meaning
do you intentionally stop him, or that's all he will take.

Always remember to stimulate him to pee and poop after or during feeding.
If he seems fussy while feeding, it may be that he needs stimulation, then
try to continue.
OK have to run to get dinner on the table. Will be back shortly.

[Dragonfly_]

I just came back up to clarify something.
When you increase the formula, do so gradually.
He should be on 1 part formula to 2 parts water.
Maybe that was the problem as well. :dono
Does he appear hungry when you finish, meaning
do you intentionally stop him, or that's all he will take.

Always remember to stimulate him to pee and poop after or during feeding.
If he seems fussy while feeding, it may be that he needs stimulation, then
try to continue.
OK have to run to get dinner on the table. Will be back shortly.


I never try to feed him more. I saw on a thread somewhere that overfeeding leads to bloating and death. So I have been real bashful with his syringe.

[Dragonfly_]

One thing this whole experience has taught me is the severe lack of rehabbers for these lil guys in my area. I would be willing to get licensed and my school would probably pay for it as well.

[lookmomchickens]

Where in Houston are you located? I'm in Magnolia, now sure how close you are to me.

[Dragonfly_]

I am in Kingwood 832-888-8179

[lookmomchickens]

I can't take in any babies at the moment, but TWRC is open from 10-2 everyday.

http://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org

[Dragonfly_]

I can't take in any babies at the moment, but TWRC is open from 10-2 everyday.

http://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org

Thank you already took off work to take him. You guys are Angels!!!!:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

I can't take in any babies at the moment, but TWRC is open from 10-2 everyday.

http://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org


Thank you for coming on.
Do you know if this place is safe?
This baby needs some extra help, and many
are so loaded they don't have room for more.
I was so hoping that we would get a known member
that we trusted to take this little one.

I so appreciate you coming on and trying to help.
I just worry about wildlife centers. :(

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you already took off work to take him. You guys are Angels!!!!:grouphug

Did you call them, and are they willing to take him?

[lookmomchickens]

I would love to take the little one, but I have two small children and one is a demanding infant. Lol. TWRC has been wonderful anytime I've had an interaction with them. I have toured their facility several times, volunteered and donated.

[Nancy in New York]

I would love to take the little one, but I have two small children and one is a demanding infant. Lol. TWRC has been wonderful anytime I've had an interaction with them. I have toured their facility several times, volunteered and donated.

Akkkkkkkkk you have 2 little ones now! Fantastic!
I'm thrilled for you.
Glad that you've toured, volunteered and dontated to them,
they must be good!
Thank YOU! :hug

[Kellymoose]

Did you get help for him? Or someone to take him? I'm about 1.5 hours away from you.