Rehab to release

[Arankin]

I recently found a baby in the middle of the road. I've got him going well thanks to the info here but I was wondering if anyone can't point me in the direction of releasing this guy?

Thanks in advance.

[Nancy in New York]

I recently found a baby in the middle of the road. I've got him going well thanks to the info here but I was wondering if anyone can't point me in the direction of releasing this guy?

Thanks in advance.

First thank you so much for saving this little one.
Just a few questions.
What formula are you feeding him.
How often and what amount?
Do you have a weight on this little one?
He is MUCH too young for release, but
we may be able to find someone who can take over
his care. He may need to be overwintered as well.
When was the photo taken that's posted.
He's a little cutie.
We will help you in anyway we can, we just need to know
some of the answers to the questions above.
Just a word of caution. When feeding a baby go with a smaller syringe,
they can aspirate too easily on a larger syringe. Also point the tip of the syringe
up toward the roof of their mouth, it helps eliminated the possibility of aspirating.
What are you feeding him in this picture?
294410

Thanks again for saving this little one.:w00t

[Arankin]

First thank you so much for saving this little one.
Just a few questions.
What formula are you feeding him.
How often and what amount?
Do you have a weight on this little one?
He is MUCH too young for release, but
we may be able to find someone who can take over
his care. He may need to be overwintered as well.
When was the photo taken that's posted.
He's a little cutie.
We will help you in anyway we can, we just need to know
some of the answers to the questions above.
Just a word of caution. When feeding a baby go with a smaller syringe,
they can aspirate too easily on a larger syringe. Also point the tip of the syringe
up toward the roof of their mouth, it helps eliminated the possibility of aspirating.
What are you feeding him in this picture?
294410

Thanks again for saving this little one.:w00t

Hey Nancy,
I am feeding him esbilac puppy formula currently.
About 20ml every 4 to 5 hours.
He is 110 grams.
I have moved on to a 3ml syringe.
The photo was day one which was the 27th. The syringe is filled with homemade electrolyte. He was very dehydrated and covered in fleas and fly eggs. Treated with ovitrol and began the puppy formula the next day. I'm a regular bottle kitten foster so I've been careful about aspiration.

I have also started offering sweet potato and pecans which he chews but doesn't really eat yet.

I have rehabbed opossums and raccoons before but I'm new to squirrels.

[Nancy in New York]

Hey Nancy,
I am feeding him esbilac puppy formula currently.
About 20ml every 4 to 5 hours.
He is 110 grams.
I have moved on to a 3ml syringe.
The photo was day one which was the 27th. The syringe is filled with homemade electrolyte. He was very dehydrated and covered in fleas and fly eggs. Treated with ovitrol and began the puppy formula the next day. I'm a regular bottle kitten foster so I've been careful about aspiration.

I have also started offering sweet potato and pecans which he chews but doesn't really eat yet.

I have rehabbed opossums and raccoons before but I'm new to squirrels.

OK just to make sure, is this the formula you are feeding pictured below?
The dry powdered puppy Esbilac?

Is this a typo that you are feeding him (110 grams) 20 mls every 4-5 hours? :eek
The "rule of thumb" is 5-7 % of their body weight.
Is your little one is eating ~20% of his body weight?

Not that you would, but I'm just reiterating, never wean a squirrel off of formula.

His very first food should be a good quality rodent block.
Squirrels have a high calcium requirement. Without the proper
nutrition they are VERY susceptible to Metabolic Bone Disease, something
that can kill them
Nuts are ONLY given as a treat and that's way down the line, if at
all.
It's very hard to get them to eat the correct foods, once given the "bad" stuff.
I always start mine of with Henry's blocks for picky eaters.
You give 2 a day. After they are eating them well, then start to add healthy veggies
from the link below.
Where to purchase the blocks.
https://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/


Most of us have printed this out and hung it on our refrig.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CNpnzm8/0/e6c5a4b5/O/i-CNpnzm8.jpg

[Arankin]

OK just to make sure, is this the formula you are feeding pictured below?
The dry powdered puppy Esbilac?

Is this a typo that you are feeding him (110 grams) 20 mls every 4-5 hours? :eek
The "rule of thumb" is 5-7 % of their body weight.
Is your little one is eating ~20% of his body weight?

Not that you would, but I'm just reiterating, never wean a squirrel off of formula.

His very first food should be a good quality rodent block.
Squirrels have a high calcium requirement. Without the proper
nutrition they are VERY susceptible to Metabolic Bone Disease, something
that can kill them
Nuts are ONLY given as a treat and that's way down the line, if at
all.
It's very hard to get them to eat the correct foods, once given the "bad" stuff.
I always start mine of with Henry's blocks for picky eaters.
You give 2 a day. After they are eating them well, then start to add healthy veggies
from the link below.
Where to purchase the blocks.
https://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/


Most of us have printed this out and hung it on our refrig.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CNpnzm8/0/e6c5a4b5/O/i-CNpnzm8.jpg

The formula you pictured is the one I am feeding.

That was a typo. Sorry it was late. He eats around 8ml a feeding which is a little over 7% of his weight of 110g.

I am getting the rat block today hopefully. I will stop with the nuts. He has teeth and I wanted to give him something to chew on.

What are the correct foods for a squirrel you intend on releasing?

[cava]

This is a great handout that will help you get him strong and ready for release. Remember, like the handout states, he should be eating his block faithfully before you offer other foods. If not, he will choose other foods over the block, which has the nutrition he would have been getting on the formula. Once he weans off his formula, this will be his staple.

Thanks for helping this little guy! He's just darling.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[Arankin]

This is a great handout that will help you get him strong and ready for release. Remember, like the handout states, he should be eating his block faithfully before you offer other foods. If not, he will choose other foods over the block, which has the nutrition he would have been getting on the formula. Once he weans off his formula, this will be his staple.

Thanks for helping this little guy! He's just darling.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels


This is great info. Thank you!