Should a flea-covered baby be put outside for mom?

[missPixy]

This little guy literally dashed over to me this morning while I was putting ice into the bird bath under my maple tree. Was able to collect him from the tree and give some hydration fluids. Also worked some diatomaceous earth into his skin because he had fleas all over him (you can see one on the right side of his face in the first photo.)

My recollection of wildlife rehab training was when “something happened to mom” the baby squirrel would likely be covered with fleas etc because she wasn’t around anymore to clean him.

Is that a safe assumption? Or should I put him outside in a protected box to see if mom comes looking for him? He was definitely dehydrated this morning. Other than that he is healthy and no injuries or anything other than fleas or dehydration and hunger.

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[TubeDriver]

I would give him the opportunity to be reunited with mom but watch over him and be prepared if it does not happen. Regardless of how it turns out, you could give him a single, small drop of kitten Revolution and that will kill all external parasites (also hydrate him before trying to reunite).

[missPixy]

I would give him the opportunity to be reunited with mom but watch over him and be prepared if it does not happen. Regardless of how it turns out, you could give him a single, small drop of kitten Revolution and that will kill all external parasites (also hydrate him before trying to reunite).

I guess I assumed because he had a lot of fleas on him and 2) came running up to where I was and seemed to want to catch my attention, that he was orphaned.

I work from home tomorrow so I can try putting him outside in a protected box for the day and monitor it.

Does he look old enough to be on his own? he looks so tiny and wasn't able to easy climb the tree.

[TubeDriver]

Fleas are just a fact of life for wild animals. Depending on the location and the nest etc, there might be only a few fleas or there could be a lot of fleas. The fact that he ran up to you does suggest that he feels abandoned and is trying to find another mom but I would still see if you can find his birth mom. He is NOT old enough to be out there on his own. I would say that he needs at least 3-6 more weeks before he can be soft released.

There is nothing better than reuniting a baby with its mom! But I agree that something might have happened to the mom and it might not be possible in this case, still worth a shot!



I guess I assumed because he had a lot of fleas on him and 2) came running up to where I was and seemed to want to catch my attention, that he was orphaned.

I work from home tomorrow so I can try putting him outside in a protected box for the day and monitor it.

Does he look old enough to be on his own? he looks so tiny and wasn't able to easy climb the tree.

[stepnstone]

I guess I assumed because he had a lot of fleas on him and 2) came running up to where I was and seemed to want to catch my attention, that he was orphaned.
Still too young to be on his own and I believe your assumption is correct,
if mom was around he wouldn't be dehydrated....