Need help and info on caring for single baby orphaned squirrel

[CDempsey]

My neighbor recently discovered a baby squirrel hiding in his garage, while I was helping him get it out he struck it with a plywood board trying to shoo it out, it looked injured at first and I felt awful and I didn't want it to die on the driveway like that so I picked it up and held it for a bit waiting for it to die. Needless to say it never did and now I'm worried for it to ever find its mother and concerned about it starving to death. Currently it is sitting in an open cat carrier with a towel, a small dish of apple sauce, a small dish of water, and a small dish of Esbilac small critter milk. I'm not sure if this is a proper nourishment for the little guy. The cat carrier is placed in a bush because I don't think it'd be such a great to bring the guy inside with my 3 dogs and cat. I put in the bush to avoid it from getting attacked by Hawks. He's eating the milk and applesauce like it's going out of style so I'm guessing that's a good thing. I guess really what I'm asking is for any advice or recommendations to make sure the little guy becomes independent and healthy. He walks around outside his "nest" on his own and I return him when I think he should. I think he might be a few weeks old. Thanks in advance

C

[CDempsey]

Also to clarify, I live in Tampa, Florida. The squirrel is brown, just a regular old squirrel, and it's currently getting now colder than 61 degrees Fahrenheit at night here so I'm sure he's not gonna freeze. Plus he has the towel.

[Scott]

There are just so many things that come to mind. But first go replace the towel with old t shirts. Their claws get caught in towels. Second dehydration is the most immediate dangerous possibility

[KarmaKay]

Can you send us a picture please? Look online at dept of natural resources usually has numbers of wildlife rehabilitators. A pic will help us with his age

[Scott]

Very shortly your thread will be inundated with help. Please consider having one of the experienced rehabbers from Forida and our TSB take the squirrel if possible


Can you bring the crate in your garage or up on the deck? Less chance of a stray cat or other predator. Also very often placing a blanket over the cage will keep him calm.

[CDempsey]

Okay, so here is a picture
http://imgur.com/a/JQZ3b

For perspective he fits in my hand and I'm an average size guy.

[CDempsey]

image didnt link properly

http://imgur.com/a/JQZ3b

[CDempsey]

Sorry to keep posting to myself but, is it even worth it to leave the cage open, because the whole reason in doing so is the hope that mother comes and reclaims her baby, but I'm not sure shes going to.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thank you for helping the little guy. OMG .... hit it with plywood. :eek That's mean. :(

Please bring the baby inside. You can put it in a Sterilite bin with fleece or a T-shirt. If it stays outside the first cat that comes along will kill it. Do you have a syringe? The baby needs formula with a syringe. It also needs a heating pad under half of the container. I can take the baby if you would like BUT I can not take it until Wednesday. I am working tomorrow until 7PM. I live in Hillsborough county. Let me get a link for baby care.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Sorry to keep posting to myself but, is it even worth it to leave the cage open, because the whole reason in doing so is the hope that mother comes and reclaims her baby, but I'm not sure shes going to.

You can try to reunite tomorrow if you would like. She will not get the baby tonight. Grey squirrels won't come out at night.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Actually, this looks like a juvenile ... a bit older than a baby. Is the Esbilac the powdered puppy formula?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here is a link for baby squirrel care. It is 6 pages long.
http://www.henryspets.com/1-basic-setup/

[CDempsey]

Thank you for helping the little guy. OMG .... hit it with plywood. :eek That's mean. :(

Please bring the baby inside. You can put it in a Sterilite bin with fleece or a T-shirt. If it stays outside the first cat that comes along will kill it. Do you have a syringe? The baby needs formula with a syringe. It also needs a heating pad under half of the container. I can take the baby if you would like BUT I can not take it until Wednesday. I am working tomorrow until 7PM. I live in Hillsborough county. Let me get a link for baby care.

Thank you so much, it gives me a lot of hope for the little guy, my girlfriend will be sad to see him go but we couldn't possibly care for him we both work and go to school. Thank you so much please PM details thanks

C

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thank you so much, it gives me a lot of hope for the little guy, my girlfriend will be sad to see him go but we couldn't possibly care for him we both work and go to school. Thank you so much please PM details thanks

COK I just tried to send you a PM but your account hasn't been activated yet so I can't PM you. :(

Hopefully, an admin will see this and activate your account. I have to feed my flyers. I'm late. Be back soon.

[CDempsey]

OK I just tried to send you a PM but your account hasn't been activated yet so I can't PM you. :(

Oh that's a shame, I guess I'll have to wait until my account is activated and I'll PM you then, hopefully it won't take very long.

Since then I've also moved him to my garage, its warmer in there, but unfortunately our heating pad is broken. As for the syringe I can go pick one up from Petco in the morning when they're open, meanwhile he's been eating and drinking when he likes, I'm not giving him too much so he doesn't become bloated. Judging by the pictures in the link he seems about 4-5 weeks old.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Oh that's a shame, I guess I'll have to wait until my account is activated and I'll PM you then, hopefully it won't take very long.

Since then I've also moved him to my garage, its warmer in there, but unfortunately our heating pad is broken. As for the syringe I can go pick one up from Petco in the morning when they're open, meanwhile he's been eating and drinking when he likes, I'm not giving him too much so he doesn't become bloated. Judging by the pictures in the link he seems about 4-5 weeks old.
Their eyes open at 5 weeks. He looks about 8 weeks possibly.
Here is my email address. Write fast. I will delete it in about 10 seconds.

[CDempsey]

Their eyes open at 5 weeks. He looks about 8 weeks possibly.
Here is my email address. Write fast. I will delete it in about 10 seconds.

didnt catch can you try again real quick please?

[HRT4SQRLS]

didnt catch can you try again real quick please?
...

[Nancy in New York]

OK I just tried to send you a PM but your account hasn't been activated yet so I can't PM you. :(

Hopefully, an admin will see this and activate your account. I have to feed my flyers. I'm late. Be back soon.

Sorry, just came on, and I activated the account.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:poke:rotfl I might need someone to vouch for me. Internet strangers!! :jump

[Nancy in New York]

:poke:rotfl I might need someone to vouch for me. Internet strangers!! :jump

I'll vouch for you ANY DAY...........ANY TIME. :w00t
Are you in contact with this member?

[HRT4SQRLS]

I'll vouch for you ANY DAY...........ANY TIME. :w00t
Are you in contact with this member?

Yes. :grin2

[stepnstone]

Thank you CD for rescuing this baby, having been hiding in the garage it's most
likely already been abandoned and mom is long gone unless... mom found a way
into the garage and has a nest in the rafters. I hope that's not the case as there
would be more.
It's definitely too cold outside for that little to survive among other reasons and
I'm glad you are taking it in and sought out help. You definitely are hooked up with
one of the best!
Thank you and thank you HRT! :grouphug