Baby found in Dallas area

[Kkenley]

I found a baby squirrel today. We own a large horse facility and I. Priced what looked like a bird nest had been ripped apart from the rafters of our covered riding arena. We spotted the baby and realized that the nest must have been a squirrel nest? It seems like the swallows ripped the nest apart.... and the baby had to have fallen a minimum of 15 feet maybe 20 ft onto the dirt below. I warmed him up and have been feeding him about 1/2-3/4 cc every two hours. He is urinating and deficating and seems content. He has a couple of small superficial scratches on him that are scanned and do not look like they are a problem.
I can not see a milk line on him..... his skin is very dark grey. Could that be why? Or is he not getting enough to eat?
He has some whiskers and a very very faint trace of hair on his muzzle but he is still very bald .... I think about a week or 10 days old? I have not figured out how to post a photo yet
How soon would I see any neurological issues from the fall if he had any? So far he seems normal.... he scoots around but he does seem to like to roll over and stretch out on his back some when he is warm and content.... not sure if that is normal?

[pappy1264]

That is normal for the age you are describing. Neuro issues can take some time to show up, but generally by 6 or so weeks, you may notice things are not right. That being said, many who fall do not have neuro issues, but what you also have to watch for is teeth issues as they come in, as many who fall will have teeth issues. What as they are growing in, to make sure they both are there (both upper and lowers) and they grow in correctly (not misaligned.) That does not not sound like formula. Do you know what what he weighs. He likely should be getting closer to 1.5 cc's every 2.5 to 3 hours. Is he on a heating pad on low under half of his container (speaking of which, what do you have him in?)

[Nancy in New York]

I urge you to please look for other little ones.
It's NOT typical to only have one baby.
Pictures would be helpful for determining the age.

Go to this link, it's 6 pages long, with the "next" arrow at the
top right corner. It tells you all you need to know if someone isn't on the board.
http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/

[Kkenley]

I did look for more... several times through out the day. I don't know if the others maybe were eaten by something or landed on one of the metal ledges up
In the rafter.... I do not have a ladder tall enough to get up that high and check.
I have him in a clear rubbermade type container with heat under half. Keeping him covered with a light cloth over him to prevent drafts.
I am using the esbilac powdered formula mixed with 1 part powder 2 part water and 1/4 part heavy cream. I have been getting about 1 1/14 cc in him the last few feedings. His color has improved to a nice pink from when I found him..... I still can't see a milk line.... but maybe I'm just not seeing it? His belly seems somewhat round but not tight after feeding. He still doesn't take the formula willinglyfrom my syringe.... I do not have a nipple yet... wanted to make sure he was going to survive the first day before I tried to find one. Routine I am currently doing is to stimulate him to potty while his milk warms. Feed him cautiously. When he gets too squirmy about half way thru I stimulate him again and he usually urinates again and gets very content and starts doing a sucking reflex looking motion. Then I try to feed him again. After he finishes eating I stimulate him one more time to be sure he is finished and clean him up and then put him back in his box.
If I can ever figure out how to upload photos I will.... I am on an iPhone and haven't figured that out yet.
He may not be as old as I originally thought? I was thinking since his back and head are so grey he was a little older..... but now I'm not 100% sure. No umbilical stump though.


QUOTE=Kkenley;1202820]I found a baby squirrel today. We own a large horse facility and I. Priced what looked like a bird nest had been ripped apart from the rafters of our covered riding arena. We spotted the baby and realized that the nest must have been a squirrel nest? It seems like the swallows ripped the nest apart.... and the baby had to have fallen a minimum of 15 feet maybe 20 ft onto the dirt below. I warmed him up and have been feeding him about 1/2-3/4 cc every two hours. He is urinating and deficating and seems content. He has a couple of small superficial scratches on him that are scanned and do not look like they are a problem.
I can not see a milk line on him..... his skin is very dark grey. Could that be why? Or is he not getting enough to eat?
He has some whiskers and a very very faint trace of hair on his muzzle but he is still very bald .... I think about a week or 10 days old? I have not figured out how to post a photo yet
How soon would I see any neurological issues from the fall if he had any? So far he seems normal.... he scoots around but he does seem to like to roll over and stretch out on his back some when he is warm and content.... not sure if that is normal?[/QUOTE]

[SammysMom]

Text your pics to me at 203 214 7427 and I will post them.

[Kkenley]

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Here are some photos. The one of him being held by the hands with the fancy finger nails was yesterday not long after we found him and warmed him up. The other two are this morning

[Nancy in New York]

I just sent you a pm with my email address so I can post the photos.
Here's a link so you can hear the sound a baby squirrel makes when in
distress. There could be others up there, so just listen for them.
Thank you for helping this little one.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?37716-BABY-SQUIRREL-CALLING-FOR-MOM



I did look for more... several times through out the day. I don't know if the others maybe were eaten by something or landed on one of the metal ledges up
In the rafter.... I do not have a ladder tall enough to get up that high and check.
I have him in a clear rubbermade type container with heat under half. Keeping him covered with a light cloth over him to prevent drafts.
I am using the esbilac powdered formula mixed with 1 part powder 2 part water and 1/4 part heavy cream. I have been getting about 1 1/14 cc in him the last few feedings. His color has improved to a nice pink from when I found him..... I still can't see a milk line.... but maybe I'm just not seeing it? His belly seems somewhat round but not tight after feeding. He still doesn't take the formula willinglyfrom my syringe.... I do not have a nipple yet... wanted to make sure he was going to survive the first day before I tried to find one. Routine I am currently doing is to stimulate him to potty while his milk warms. Feed him cautiously. When he gets too squirmy about half way thru I stimulate him again and he usually urinates again and gets very content and starts doing a sucking reflex looking motion. Then I try to feed him again. After he finishes eating I stimulate him one more time to be sure he is finished and clean him up and then put him back in his box.
If I can ever figure out how to upload photos I will.... I am on an iPhone and haven't figured that out yet.
He may not be as old as I originally thought? I was thinking since his back and head are so grey he was a little older..... but now I'm not 100% sure. No umbilical stump though.


QUOTE=Kkenley;1202820]I found a baby squirrel today. We own a large horse facility and I. Priced what looked like a bird nest had been ripped apart from the rafters of our covered riding arena. We spotted the baby and realized that the nest must have been a squirrel nest? It seems like the swallows ripped the nest apart.... and the baby had to have fallen a minimum of 15 feet maybe 20 ft onto the dirt below. I warmed him up and have been feeding him about 1/2-3/4 cc every two hours. He is urinating and deficating and seems content. He has a couple of small superficial scratches on him that are scanned and do not look like they are a problem.
I can not see a milk line on him..... his skin is very dark grey. Could that be why? Or is he not getting enough to eat?
He has some whiskers and a very very faint trace of hair on his muzzle but he is still very bald .... I think about a week or 10 days old? I have not figured out how to post a photo yet
How soon would I see any neurological issues from the fall if he had any? So far he seems normal.... he scoots around but he does seem to like to roll over and stretch out on his back some when he is warm and content.... not sure if that is normal?[/QUOTE]

[Kkenley]

I finally figured out how to post photos.... his color seems much better to me today and he looks less wrinkly. I am going to go get the tractor and the biggest ladder I can find and see if I can use both to see up there. I haven't heard any noises other than the barn swallows fussing and flying around..... I think they are who tore the nest down. Does that seem possible?

[Nancy in New York]

I finally figured out how to post photos.... his color seems much better to me today and he looks less wrinkly. I am going to go get the tractor and the biggest ladder I can find and see if I can use both to see up there. I haven't heard any noises other than the barn swallows fussing and flying around..... I think they are who tore the nest down. Does that seem possible?

Can you share the photos? :poke :)
Opps I see you posted above. Sorry. :)

[Nancy in New York]

He looks kind of wrinkly in the last photo.
Hydrate him between feedings with Pedialyte.
Does his belly have some darkish discoloration?
I'm wondering if he's bruised.
Is there any possibility he has been gotten by a cat?
I see some little scratches or bite marks on him.
If this is cat related, their saliva is deadly to squirrels.
How often are you feeding?
He's/she's (hard to tell) just precious! :klunk

[Kkenley]

The last photo was when I found him. He is nice and smooth now! :)
His belly does have some dark color under the skin but is is not always visible. His testicle area does seem dark though. I think the scratches were from the birds? The cats were no where around and they would not have left a body.... they are fierce hunters and routinely take down grown rabbits.
I am feeding every two hours. He's taking about 1 cc sometimes 1 1/4cc




QUOTE=Nancy in New York;1202844]He looks kind of wrinkly in the last photo.
Hydrate him between feedings with Pedialyte.
Does his belly have some darkish discoloration?
I'm wondering if he's bruised.
Is there any possibility he has been gotten by a cat?
I see some little scratches or bite marks on him.
If this is cat related, their saliva is deadly to squirrels.
How often are you feeding?
He's/she's (hard to tell) just precious! :klunk[/QUOTE]

[Nancy in New York]

Do you have a gram scale?
They are fed according to their weight.
Rule of Thumb is 5-7% of their body weight
at every feeding.
Yup, you have a HIM. :)

[Nancy in New York]

Not sure if I missed it or not.
Do you have a heating pad under half of the container, set on low?
Do you have fleece in the container so he can climb up and off
the heat in case it overheats. We've seen heating pads overheat,
and the little ones can't get away from the heat.:(

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?21803-HEATING-PAD-DANGERS&highlight=heating+pad

[Kkenley]

Yes. I sure do.... and he actually crawled off this morning :) my scale that I use for weighing puppies has quit working so I will go get a new one after his next feeding which is rapidly approaching.


Not sure if I missed it or not.
Do you have a heating pad under half of the container, set on low?
Do you have fleece in the container so he can climb up and off
the heat in case it overheats. We've seen heating pads overheat,
and the little ones can't get away from the heat.:(

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?21803-HEATING-PAD-DANGERS&highlight=heating+pad

[Chickenlegs]

I'm thinking an owl tore up his nest. A mama would have chased small birds away. He's a lucky little guy. He does look a little bruised. Hopefully that will be healed up real soon. You've been cautioned about aspiration. His bodily functions seem to be working just fine, he's got nice soft fleece to bury himself in and a heating pad to keep him warm (but not too warm). He's got a new mama who gves him yummy food. The angels (Nancy, Pappy, Sammy's Mom) are keeping watchful eyes over you and your baby. Life is good! :Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

Wow -- he's a beautiful little melanistic (black) baby squirrel! I did not realize you had this variation in the Dallas area, or in Texas at all for that matter. Quick question: are the soles of his feet pink or black?

[Chickenlegs]

WOWWOWWOW! I kept thinking "this little boy is special" but didn't know enough to see just how special. You nailed it Maura! THANKS!!!!! :grin3

[island rehabber]

WOWWOWWOW! I kept thinking "this little boy is special" but didn't know enough to see just how special. You nailed it Maura! THANKS!!!!! :grin3

Nero, my avatar, would never let me let a beautiful 'blinkie' go unrecognized! :grin2

[Kkenley]

His soles of his feet are pink but have a very faint grey cast to them...... the squirrels I see running around are very red and tan. I assumed Fox squirrels? I was going to ask if anyone had thoughts on what type of squirrel he might be.


Wow -- he's a beautiful little melanistic (black) baby squirrel! I did not realize you had this variation in the Dallas area, or in Texas at all for that matter. Quick question: are the soles of his feet pink or black?

[island rehabber]

His soles of his feet are pink but have a very faint grey cast to them...... the squirrels I see running around are very red and tan. I assumed Fox squirrels? I was going to ask if anyone had thoughts on what type of squirrel he might be.

Normal squirrel species for Dallas would be a Fox Squirrel, and they can be melanistic in color. Black foxers are far more rare than black grey squirrels, but it's possible. If his little pads turn grey/black, he's definitely a foxer. Either way, he's adorable!!

[island rehabber]

Is he pooping regularly, and enough each time? The blackness around his genital area can be stool in the lower bowel. (These little guys are almost transparent at this age :grin2.) Poop from his mamma's milk may still be in his bowel and that will be very very dark -- later on his poop should be olive green or gold once he's on formula.

[Kkenley]

So if his pads turn grey.... he is a melanistic? Or normal Foxer?
He's doing super well today. I'm feeling very optimistic.... I was a little worried about him yesterday.



Normal squirrel species for Dallas would be a Fox Squirrel, and they can be melanistic in color. Black foxers are far more rare than black grey squirrels, but it's possible. If his little pads turn grey/black, he's definitely a foxer. Either way, he's adorable!!

[Kkenley]

He was giving me a bit of trouble with pooping for a couple of feedings but now he is back to going regularly and they are a nice golden yellow formed clumps of tiny pellets. I've noticed that the black I was seeing seems to be gone now.... so that may have been what it was.

[Nancy in New York]

He was giving me a bit of trouble with pooping for a couple of feedings but now he is back to going regularly and they are a nice golden yellow formed clumps of tiny pellets. I've noticed that the black I was seeing seems to be gone now.... so that may have been what it was.

I was just going to post that in the photo above, his anal area looked a little swollen.
The dark poop is from Mom's milk and/or dehydration. :(
Are you saying the tummy looks lighter in color?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2vD7xbZ/0/O/i-2vD7xbZ.jpg

[Kkenley]

Yes. Tummy has lost the dark spots and he has been pooping what looks like the picture in the guide that someone gave me a link to for 12 hours after introduction of formula.





I was just going to post that in the photo above, his anal area looked a little swollen.
The dark poop is from Mom's milk and/or dehydration. :(
Are you saying the tummy looks lighter in color?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2vD7xbZ/0/O/i-2vD7xbZ.jpg

[Kkenley]

Island Rehabber...... so
If his pads turn black he is a normal foxer? Or a melanistic foxer? I'm confused. Lol






So if his pads turn grey.... he is a melanistic? Or normal Foxer?
He's doing super well today. I'm feeling very optimistic.... I was a little worried about him yesterday.

[Kkenley]

Today the baby had some dry skin.... what do I need to do?

[Chickenlegs]

Nutrition should take care of that--maybe a humidifier if the house is dry. Could try a little coconut oil.

[island rehabber]

So if his pads turn grey.... he is a melanistic? Or normal Foxer?
He's doing super well today. I'm feeling very optimistic.... I was a little worried about him yesterday.

If his pads turn grey he is a melanistic (black) fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). If they don't he is a melanistic Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensus). :grin2

[Nancy in New York]

Today the baby had some dry skin.... what do I need to do?

You can put a small piece of damp sponge in a glass baby food
jar with a lid (holes drilled in). Put that on the side with the
heating pad. When it warms it releases moisture and helps
with the dry skin. Make sure to dampen the sponge daily.

[Kkenley]

My little guy is doing great!! He now happily takes his formula and is taking his 1 1/2 cc of formula every 2 hours. He weighs 30 grams on my new scale. He has a nice pink tummy with no dark spots under his skin any more.... going potty great. The dry skin seems to have resolved on its own thankfully.

His sparse fur is starting to appear along the top of his head..... barely peeking out. It sure does look black! I still can't believe he is apparently going to be melanistic?!?! I've never seen one before. :) excited to see what he turns into!
Is it ok to start stretching his feedings out to 3 hours apart during the middle of the night? Or should I continue with every 2?

Also
I want to be prepared so I need to locate a source for food when it is weaning time. What is yalls recommendation for the best food? And any place to order it online invade I can't source it locally?

[Nancy in New York]

My little guy is doing great!! He now happily takes his formula and is taking his 1 1/2 cc of formula every 2 hours. He weighs 30 grams on my new scale. He has a nice pink tummy with no dark spots under his skin any more.... going potty great. The dry skin seems to have resolved on its own thankfully.

His sparse fur is starting to appear along the top of his head..... barely peeking out. It sure does look black! I still can't believe he is apparently going to be melanistic?!?! I've never seen one before. :) excited to see what he turns into!
Is it ok to start stretching his feedings out to 3 hours apart during the middle of the night? Or should I continue with every 2?

Also
I want to be prepared so I need to locate a source for food when it is weaning time. What is yalls recommendation for the best food? And any place to order it online invade I can't source it locally?

Yes you can go to 3 hours during the night.
Glad he's doing so well.
Many of us start them on blocks from Henry's.
I always get the picky blocks because I KNOW they eat them,
but many also like to start them with the high protein ones.
http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/
Also with Henry's it's $5.99 flat rate shipping regardless what you buy,
I typically stock up on blocks and freeze them. Remember with Henry's
there are no preservatives in the blocks, so you need to freeze or if you store them in
your refrig, no longer than a month.

Keep him on formula as long as he'll take it.
We have a couple of members currently on the board whose 6 month
old squirrels are still taking formula. (along with other foods of course)
You have a long time to go before you worry about food,
but it's great that you're thinking ahead!

[Kkenley]

Update on Scrat..... the kids named him after the squirrel on ice age.
He is 40 grams now.... I'm still feeding every 2 hours from 7am until 11 am. Middle of the night I switch to 3 hours. So he gets 11 feedings a day. I shoo for 2cc. Sometimes he won't take all of it. He potties like a champ. All is going well. Still having some dry flakey skin off and on. I think I need to get a humidifier for the room.

His fuzz is starting to come in.... dark grey on top of his head and he has a little white/yellow patch on his chin. His pads of his feet are turning more grey. His tail looks like it's growing in dark grey/black fuzz.

Any suggestions or changes I need to make are welcome!! Thank you guys for the help so far! I couldn't have done I without y'all!

[island rehabber]

What a gorgeous lil blinkie you have there :grin2. I'm so intrigued as to whether he is a black foxer or a black grey. At any rate, you can begin to stretch out the feedings a bit during the day; 11 is quite a number of feedings and it's ok to work your way down to 7-8 at this point. He will take a little more at each one as you stretch them out - gradually, though! He looks great. :Love_Icon

[Kkenley]

Thank you! I assumed the reason he wasn't taking 2cc was because of the frequent feedings and I figured his caloric needs were being met so I wasn't stressing too bad. I've been watching to see if I notice mom or any squirrels around and haven't seen any signs of anyone. My curiosity has me trying to see if I can spot any that are similar to his color hanging around. Lol



What a gorgeous lil blinkie you have there :grin2. I'm so intrigued as to whether he is a black foxer or a black grey. At any rate, you can begin to stretch out the feedings a bit during the day; 11 is quite a number of feedings and it's ok to work your way down to 7-8 at this point. He will take a little more at each one as you stretch them out - gradually, though! He looks great. :Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

Thank you! I assumed the reason he wasn't taking 2cc was because of the frequent feedings and I figured his caloric needs were being met so I wasn't stressing too bad. I've been watching to see if I notice mom or any squirrels around and haven't seen any signs of anyone. My curiosity has me trying to see if I can spot any that are similar to his color hanging around. Lol

His mamma could very well be a grey Grey Squirrel, or an orange/tan Fox Squirrel. The melanistic gene doesn't require that both parents be melanistic in order for the babies to be. I have rehabbed litters over the years who were two greys and a black -- or even four blacks and one grey! :grin2