Lethargic Baby Squirrel?

[SweetenedPoison]

Hello! This is my first time posting in these forums, and I wish it was under better circumstances! My boyfriend and I have recently taken in two Alaskan red squirrels, which we have named Baby and Fester. Baby was the first one we found, and he was falling over cleaning himself when we picked him up. He didn't fuss at all and just curled into a ball in our hands. Fester came the next day when he walked into our home. I introduced the two of them and found out that they were actually related (happy squirrel noises and lots of kisses, so cute x_x).

Anyway, we started noticing that Baby has begun to get more lethargic in recent days, especially compared to his brother. Baby has been making a sucking/clicking noise that is soft, not nearly that deep pneumonia sound a lot of members on this site describe (although I have never had a squirrel before and can not be too sure). He isn't fussy, eats and drinks fine, he has both top and bottom teeth, and both of his eyes are open. I'm worried because it almost sounds like he's sneezing? I'm not sure. Seems to stop when he's sleeping, which he does a lot of.

In case it is a case of pneumonia, I have some antibiotics on hand, as well as some unsweetened vanilla yogurt to help recover. The antibiotics I have are Ciprofloxacin (generic for Cipro) and Metronidazole (generic for Flagyl). Being out in the middle of Alaska makes it slightly difficult to get certain supplies, but I'm willing to make sure this little nugget sticks around! Unfortunately, I don't know what his weight is. I went looking for a kitchen/baking scale and did not find one :/ But he's small. I could post a picture if maybe someone could eyeball the weight? I'll keep looking around for a scale so I can make a better call on antibiotic amount, though.

Life literally threw two baby squirrels at me and I have next to no knowledge on how to take care of them. I can't even sex or age them (I've just been assuming they're both males >.>). The local vet told me to put them outside and "let them fend for themselves" which I wouldn't mind if they weren't such clumsy cuties! Especially Baby, who can't even stand up sometimes... I'm afraid ya'll are my last resource on what to do :klunk

[JoanP]

Just read your post, and before I offer any advice, I am hoping that a senior and well informed member answers you asap. Perhaps this should be posted in the Emergency forum.
I am a first time squirrel mom and have so many questions for you. I will wait anxiously for a rehabber to see your post and guide you.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Welcome SweetedPoison

Could you post a pic of the baby next to a familiar item like a Coke can or something else. . This will give us a size reference. If you even think you hear clicking you need to treat. The lethargy is also a sign of aspiration pneumonia. What are you using to feed with? Syringe? Dropper? Are you feeding formula?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here is a link for baby squirrel care. It is 6 pages long.

http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/

Yes, I do realize that you won't be able to get all of these items where you are. :tilt

[HRT4SQRLS]

I noticed that you logged off but I wanted you to know that Ciprofloxacin IS the antibiotic that we use for aspiration pneumonia. Post a pic so that we can get an approximate weight. We can dose the Cipro for you.

Baby squirrels do make noises with their mouth that aren't necessarily pneumonia but when you say lethargy it's a red flag.

One of the most famous squirrels on this board was a little red squirrel from the Yukon. You should read his story. It's awesome. His name was Meemor. :Love_Icon

[SweetenedPoison]

Hey HRT4SQRLS, thanks for your resources and help! He seems to be doing a lot better now energy-wise (hopping and climbing and being oh-so-curious :w00t), but I'm still worried about the sounds he's making and his general weakness. Baby sounds like he's making a sucking noise, which is why I'm not sure if I should be concerned? He's just so weak and clumsy compared to his sibling. He climbs, but slowly, and his balance is just uncoordinated; I'm always afraid that he's going to fall. Ears aren't sharp and pointed like Fester's. They're more flattened against his head.

As far as food, I've been feeding them vegetable baby food as well as smoothies I make with calcium-rich veggies such as kale, cilantro, etc. with some pecans, chia seeds, and/or dried chaga mushroom. They seem to love it. The reasons why I feed them that instead of a formula is because I thought they might have be at least 6 six weeks when I first got them (like I said before though, I have no idea) and because it is near impossible to find anything like that out here. I could maybe find someone in the area who owns goats, but to find any that were lactating...? It's tough out here, for sure.

I've been trying to attach a video of him so ya'll can hear the sounds he's making and see him but I'm not sure how to post it on here.

[SweetenedPoison]

Here's the video on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/219969371

[lennysmom]

It's hard for me to hear the sounds on the video, but does it sound like a click with every breath? Also, are his legs and tail a little bit shorter then his brother's? In the video, his features look a little dwarf like, so that is why I'm asking. Dwarf squirrels are smaller and much more uncoordinated then a normal squirrel and you mentioned he was uncoordinated compared to his brother too. He's so cute by the way.:Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Start hydrating him between feedings. His fur looks a little spiky to me.
Try offering water with a touch of honey in it for taste.
Thank you for helping these two little ones.
We're here to help. :grouphug

Edit: I think I would try offering formula.
You mentioned goats, you can do a goat milk formula.

TEMPORARY GOAT'S MILK FORMULA:
3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Here's the healthy food chart.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WBwrFLT/0/98b5eed6/O/i-WBwrFLT.jpg

[UDoWhat]

I do hear a slight click. The more hydrated this little one becomes the more, I believe, you will hear this click. The click seems to get louder as babies are hydrated. If this little one seems weak and doesn't eat well I would definitely start him/her on an antibiotic soon! Pneumonia is a quick killer. :Love_Icon

BTW... these little babies need to be on formula (not vegetable smoothies) for at least 6 more weeks or more.

[Nancy in New York]

I just want to add that this is very unusual behavior for a little red.
They typically are always hyper, and rarely sit still.

Here's one of mine at 7 weeks (first photo) and then 8 weeks old just for size comparison.
They wean a lot sooner than greys do too. :(
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5NBZP6v/0/68e3f111/S/i-5NBZP6v-S.jpghttps://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KF8Wn45/0/9d4476cd/S/i-KF8Wn45-S.jpg

[UDoWhat]

My point was that formula would benefit these babies for a while longer since we don't know how long they have been away from mom. I believe formula could replace lost nutrition faster and better then veg smoothies since we can not be sure of the nutritional values in the vegetable smoothies. I would continue with formula. :dono At least until these littles are more stable. Might be likely to cause less GI stress then kale, etc ?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Can anyone guesstimate a weight on this little guy? I've never seen a red so my guess wouldn't be even close.

One other thing, is it just me or is his head shaped odd? It appears to extend far beyond the ears but I guess it could be the hunched position.

[Nancy in New York]

My point was that formula would benefit these babies for a while longer since we don't know how long they have been away from mom. I believe formula could replace lost nutrition faster and better then veg smoothies since we can not be sure of the nutritional values in the vegetable smoothies. I would continue with formula. :dono At least until these littles are more stable. Might be likely to cause less GI stress then kale, etc ?

Totally agree, that's why I posted the goat's milk formula.
Just wanted to add that they DO wean a lot earlier, where they
will absolutely refuse it no matter how hard you try.

[Nancy in New York]

Can anyone guesstimate a weight on this little guy? I've never seen a red so my guess wouldn't be even close.

One other thing, is it just me or is his head shaped odd? It appears to extend far beyond the ears but I guess it could be the hunched position.

This is so difficult to guess with the video.
My "guesstimate" would be 90-100 grams if this
is an "older" juvie, ~ 8-9 weeks.
BUT this video he doesn't look to be more than 70 grams.
A face shot would help a lot and as you suggested
earlier, something next to it like a coke can or
a 5 oz. dixie cup.
Also belly shots will help and full back shots so
we can see the fur.

[UDoWhat]

This is so difficult to guess with the video.
My "guesstimate" would be 90-100 grams if this
is an "older" juvie, ~ 8-9 weeks.
BUT this video he doesn't look to be more than 70 grams.
A face shot would help a lot and as you suggested
earlier, something next to it like a coke can or
a 5 oz. dixie cup.
Also belly shots will help and full back shots so
we can see the fur.

I was going to guess 80-100 grams. But I wonder if the tail is fully developed? Not sure? He may be less than 80 grams after watching the video. I might go with the lower number. :thinking Also the behavior ... would an older baby be as friendly as these babies are? IDK I have only had 1 baby red and 1 adult. The adult was crazy !! Hard to guess without some perspective on size.

[Nancy in New York]

I was going to guess 80-100 grams. But I wonder if the tail is fully developed? Not sure? He may be less than 80 grams after watching the video. I might go with the lower number. :thinking Also the behavior ... would an older baby be as friendly as these babies are? IDK I have only had 1 baby red and 1 adult. The adult was crazy !! Hard to guess without some perspective on size.

I agree with going with a lower number.
The thing too is he may look small, which you know they are,
but if she feel his ribs then he's a skinny red making the weight
even lower.
Let me look for some older tail shots.
I will see what I can find.

Edit:

12-13 week old red's tail.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-b8ctBSb/0/3682a4b0/M/i-b8ctBSb-M.jpg

[JoanP]

Hey HRT4SQRLS, thanks for your resources and help! He seems to be doing a lot better now energy-wise (hopping and climbing and being oh-so-curious :w00t), but I'm still worried about the sounds he's making and his general weakness. Baby sounds like he's making a sucking noise, which is why I'm not sure if I should be concerned? He's just so weak and clumsy compared to his sibling. He climbs, but slowly, and his balance is just uncoordinated; I'm always afraid that he's going to fall. Ears aren't sharp and pointed like Fester's. They're more flattened against his head.

As far as food, I've been feeding them vegetable baby food as well as smoothies I make with calcium-rich veggies such as kale, cilantro, etc. with some pecans, chia seeds, and/or dried chaga mushroom. They seem to love it. The reasons why I feed them that instead of a formula is because I thought they might have be at least 6 six weeks when I first got them (like I said before though, I have no idea) and because it is near impossible to find anything like that out here. I could maybe find someone in the area who owns goats, but to find any that were lactating...? It's tough out here, for sure.

I've been trying to attach a video of him so ya'll can hear the sounds he's making and see him but I'm not sure how to post it on here.



SO GLAD THOSE WHO REALLY KNOW ABOUT ALL THE RIGHT WAYS TO HELP YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE CASE.
I REALIZE THAT IT COSTS A LOT, BUT YOU CAN ORDER THE CORRECT ESBILAC PUPPY FORMULA OR THE FOX VALLEY, PLUS THE RIGHT SYRINGES AND MIRACLE NIPPLES, AND CORRECT HEATING PAD FROM HENRYS HEALTHY PETS.COM AND HAVE IT SHIPPED THE FASTEST WAY. COSTLY BUT DEFINITELY WORTH IT.

[SweetenedPoison]

O_O this thread exploded while I was gone! Thank you to everyone for replying. I will try to get more pictures up to ya'll today.

@lennysmom - Ikr? I'm not sure why, but he definitely looks different than his brother. You might be right on the dwarf part...

@Nancy in New York - yeah, I was starting to get worried because he doesn't really clean himself well. He tries, poor thing, but he's a mess >.> I've been trying to keep him a little clean using a warm, damp towel to wipe down his hands and stomach, then a dry cloth to dry him off (I'm worried that a hair dryer might stress him out D: ). But he still looks a little spiky... you might be right about the water. I will see about "sweetening the deal" for them. As for goat milk, I literally have no idea where I could get some out here ._.

@UDoWhat - that's the thing, he eats fine, has a healthy appetite, wants to run around... he's just uncoordinated and makes that weird sucking/clicking noise. I'm worried about it being pneumonia, too, which is why I'm here T_T

So, yeah, compared to his brother, he's not as energetic. Like @Nancy in New York said, they're typically running around crazy. Fester does that. Baby does not :( . He just wants to crawl into my hand and curl into a ball.

I'm going to check on him real quick and take some pictures for ya'll. I really appreciate all the advice and help!

[Nancy in New York]

Thanks for the detailed responses.:w00t
Can you tell us the mg of the Cipro that you have?

[SweetenedPoison]

Okay, he is doing sooo much better today, I don't even know why. He still crawls right into my hands and seems to get very upset if he's not near me and my limbs at all times lol. I found a scale (one of our campers had one and let me use it, thankfully) and weighed him. He is 68 grams.

@Nancy in New York - Heya, I have 500mg tablets of the Cipro.

Edit: Aaaaand, I must have been super tired/frazzled/stressed yesterday taking care of the squirrels that I even spelled my username that I've used for years wrong on here xD T_T ah well... lol

[Nancy in New York]

Okay, he is doing sooo much better today, I don't even know why. He still crawls right into my hands and seems to get very upset if he's not near me and my limbs at all times lol. I found a scale (one of our campers had one and let me use it, thankfully) and weighed him. He is 68 grams.

@Nancy in New York - Heya, I have 500mg tablets of the Cipro.

Edit: Aaaaand, I must have been super tired/frazzled/stressed yesterday taking care of the squirrels that I even spelled my username that I've used for years wrong on here xD T_T ah well... lol

Tell me how to spell your user name correctly and I will change it for you.
Do you have any 1 cc/mL syringes?

[SweetenedPoison]

Tell me how to spell your user name correctly and I will change it for you.

Oh thank you! It is SweetenedPoison :)

Also, he is making more noises right now. It sounds like clicking with every breath.

Edit: 1 cc/mL syringes? No, but I can call around and find out where I can find one.

[Nancy in New York]

Oh thank you! It is SweetenedPoison :)

Also, he is making more noises right now. It sounds like clicking with every breath.

Edit: 1 cc/mL syringes? No, but I can call around and find out where I can find one.

I just sent the dosing for the Cipro 500 mg.
Get the loading dose in him now. That would be about 2-3 small drops
IF you can't find a syringe.

[SweetenedPoison]

I just sent the dosing for the Cipro 500 mg.
Get the loading dose in him now. That would be about 2-3 small drops
IF you can't find a syringe.

Thank you for the message! I will see what I can do to find a syringe around here and will keep ya'll posted on his health and journey <3

[SweetenedPoison]

Alright, I have a syringe and the medicine is ready to go! I just want to verify that I can feed him the yogurt I currently have. It has no added sugar but it's made with cow's milk. Is that okay or is that going to be a problem for him?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Alright, I have a syringe and the medicine is ready to go! I just want to verify that I can feed him the yogurt I currently have. It has no added sugar but it's made with cow's milk. Is that okay or is that going to be a problem for him?
The yogurt you have will be fine. I think most yogurt is made from cows milk, right?
They just can't have a steady diet of cows milk formula. The yogurt is OK. :thumbsup

[UDoWhat]

Thank you for the message! I will see what I can do to find a syringe around here and will keep ya'll posted on his health and journey <3

This has been my experience that as they get more hydrated you can hear the clicking more. You are doing great and have great guidance. Keep asking questions and learning all you can. :Love_Icon

[Chickenlegs]

I swear that baby has dwarf written all over him. Specially when it comes to the clumsey part. Let's say he is a dwarf--be extra careful feeding. They aspirate like crazy. One of the other dwarf mommies said (and this from Dr. E tho it's been awhile so forgive me if I'm just looney) they're tongues are proportionally larger than normal because of their squishy faces and they can have swallowing issues. I put a little rice cereal in my dwarf babies formula to make it easier for them to handle. Just a thought. And as they're already compromised from the get go, don't let anything like suspected pneumonia get away from you. They go downhill even faster than a normal baby.

[SweetenedPoison]

Alright, I have fed the baby some antibiotic mixture (thanks @Nancy in New York!), then some yogurt (also thank you @HRT4SQRLS!) and I saw some immediate improvements: he made a LOUD series of squeaks and then started crawling around on the bars of his cage, something I haven't seem him do in a while! He's been sleeping since I gave him the meds though (about 1pm) and I tried to give him a little food since then (he and Fester loved it!) as well as a Pedialyte/water mixture (whiiiiiich he refused :/ ). I'm tempted to try the water/honey trick, but we don't currently have honey. Would maple syrup work alright?

If he's a dwarf squirrel, what does that mean? Is he just going to be a helpless little ball of cute his whole life? He's always so dirty; I just tried washing him with warm water and Q-tips (mainly on his feet, hands, stomach, and face) and drying him off with a towel, but he's just terrible at keeping clean. Fester, bless his little heart, helps keep Baby clean, too, but is this going to have to be a thing I do regularly? Will he even be releasable as a dwarf squirrel?

Thank you to everyone for your advice, support, and help! It has been a very long learning process x_x

[UDoWhat]

Alright, I have fed the baby some antibiotic mixture (thanks @Nancy in New York!), then some yogurt (also thank you @HRT4SQRLS!) and I saw some immediate improvements: he made a LOUD series of squeaks and then started crawling around on the bars of his cage, something I haven't seem him do in a while! He's been sleeping since I gave him the meds though (about 1pm) and I tried to give him a little food since then (he and Fester loved it!) as well as a Pedialyte/water mixture (whiiiiiich he refused :/ ). I'm tempted to try the water/honey trick, but we don't currently have honey. Would maple syrup work alright?

If he's a dwarf squirrel, what does that mean? Is he just going to be a helpless little ball of cute his whole life? He's always so dirty; I just tried washing him with warm water and Q-tips (mainly on his feet, hands, stomach, and face) and drying him off with a towel, but he's just terrible at keeping clean. Fester, bless his little heart, helps keep Baby clean, too, but is this going to have to be a thing I do regularly? Will he even be releasable as a dwarf squirrel?

Thank you to everyone for your advice, support, and help! It has been a very long learning process x_x

Yes ...Maple syrup will work. If he is a dwarf he would not be releasable. He might not be releasable even if not a dwarf but time will tell. It sounds like you are doing a great job. Ask all the questions you need to ask. We are here to help.:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

We don't know for sure that he is a dwarf. It's just speculation at this point. He does have some of the characteristics though. Dwarf squirrels are not releasable. They are a genetic anomaly but frankly some of the cutest anomalies ever. :grin2
Typically a dwarf is just that ... Very small. Their joints are loosely connected giving them awkward movement. They are very pickie eaters. Their ears set low on the head and they always seem to have a baby face. They have a short life expectancy.

Hopefully Baby is not a dwarf and will grow out of this. He might just be developmentally slow. Let's hope so.

[Chickenlegs]

A dwarf is more than just small. If he was a person he would be a person with Downs Syndrome. There's a section in special needs squirrels about these little gifts. TSB was the only resourse I found on the internet when I got my first dwarf Kensington. Since then there have been others. TSB has become the leading resource for information about these really special little critters. He's going to be messy--he's going to be insanely picky, he won't thermoregulate--likely for his entire life, he will be prone to dehydrate, he will be clumsey and really shouldn't climb except in a sheltered, padded environment, he will break your heart because they don't live long enough. You are blessed if he's normal and just delayed--and doubly blessed if he is one of the dearest creatures ever.

[SweetenedPoison]

God I'm in so much pain right now. Checked on Baby this morning and he was cold and stiff. He was getting active and happy yesterday, I thought the meds were helping; he ate lots and drank some of the water mixture I gave him. He was even climbing his cage and making such cute noises. But now he's gone and I feel like I just died inside. I don't know what to say or do right now.

Thank you to everyone for your help guiding me. I've been playing the "could have"/"should have" record in my head all morning, beating myself over this because I honestly thought he was going to pull through. He was such a sweet little angel and I was blessed to have him in my life for the short time that I did. We're going to bury him on the campground where I first thought I spotted them. My heart just hurts so much.

On a lighter note, Fester is healthy and very active. We may release him back into the wild sometime soon. We were holding him back for Baby's sake but now...

[HRT4SQRLS]

Oh no! I am so sorry for your loss. :grouphug It's almost unbelievable how these tiny little babies can steal your heart but they can. I know that Baby took a piece of your heart with him. You did nothing wrong. We will never know what issues Baby had that we couldn't fix. If he was indeed a dwarf, his fate was determined by his genetics. Thank you SO much for helping Baby. We can't always save them but we can help them and love them in the short time that they have here.

Rest in Peace Baby You captured our hearts in your short life. :Love_Icon




Give Fester some time. He's a singleton now so he needs more time in your care.

[lennysmom]

Oh no, I'm so very sorry SweetenedPoison.:sadness I know you tried so hard to save Baby and my heart is hurting with you.:grouphug As much as it hurts that his time on this earth was short, you provided that sweet little one comfort in love and a safe place to pass in peace.:Love_Icon Godspeed precious little Baby.:sad

[Nancy in New York]

Let me just share what a wise member once wrote about why some squirrels come into our lives.
Nobody could have said this better than our beloved muffinsquirrel.

Rest in Peace
Precious One, you were so loved
in your short time here. 289136


"Some little ones come into this world under bad circumstances.
Although, for whatever reason, they have no future in this world,
it is not yet their time to leave it. So God places them with someone with an abundance of love,
compassion, and gentleness - someone that can hold His creatures in their hands until it is time for them to pass into His.
So always remember that you were chosen for this task for a reason -
God knew that you were the one person that could fill this particular squirrel's needs in this world
until it was time for him to go Home.

You have done your job well.

Mourn the briefness of his life, but rejoice in the time you had with God's wonderful creature,
and the faith that God had in you when He entrusted it's short life to you."


written by Judy Call ('muffinsquirrel')
Rest in Peace, 'til we all meet again

[Ekorre]

I'm so sorry for your loss. :sadness You really did do everything you could and I'm sure he felt your love. :hug

:grouphugSweetenedPoison:grouphug
:grouphugBaby:grouphug