Baby squirrel vomiting

[Dvictor]

Baby grey, 115g, was eating normal, I feed her Fox Valley formula for squirrels, stopped eating for 15h and now is vomiting a few drops of foamy white substance.
Stool was solid, yellow-orange, but now turned into some translucent gel.
It refuses everything, including Pedialyte or home made hidration solution.
Help!

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[HRT4SQRLS]

Vomiting is very unusual for baby squirrels.
Listen to the chest. Do you hear clicking with each breath?
Clicking is a symptom of aspiration pneumonia. Pneumonia is also associated with loss of appetite so I always want to rule it out.

Is the FoxValley the 32:40 or 20:50?

[Dvictor]

Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly.
No clicking sound, breath seems normal.
Now, after sleeping for a while and eliminating a lot running stool, it looks that it feels better. Still runs away from any food, I'm afraid it's going to get dehydrated pretty soon. It's now about 20h since she had no fluid intake. Less than 1ml.
Should I try anything special overnight? She wants to sleep.
I check on her regularly and clean her from the poo.
She's now 113g, down from 115 2h ago.

[Dvictor]

FV 20/50

[SammysMom]

She needs pedialyte even if it is tiny amounts every few minutes. Dehydration is the number one cause of lack of appetite and vomiting causes dehydration. You've got a perfect storm. Make sure pedialyte and anything else given is very warm.

[Dvictor]

Thank you SammysMom
I'll try to keep her hydrated, as long as I can stay awake.
I don't know what could have caused that. Can be so many things. Infection, overfeeding, poisoning...
She has a few new objects to play and likes to taste everything.

[Sottinger]

Vomiting is very unusual for baby squirrels.
Listen to the chest. Do you hear clicking with each breath?
Clicking is a symptom of aspiration pneumonia. Pneumonia is also associated with loss of appetite so I always want to rule it out.

Is the FoxValley the 32:40 or 20:50?

I very much agree. A frothy vomit sounds like lung involvement to me. I’m not an animal expert but I’ve cared for my mother and grandfather both with terminal lung disease and this would’ve been a huge red flag for a human (large mammal). If you require cipro and can’t find it locally please call my cell and I will meet you halfway on the overnight shipping costs ❤️ 813-541-6635.

[Dvictor]

I never push milk into her mouth. She suckles. When she stops it, the meal is over. She had this violent reaction immediately when she felt the taste of milk. I sometimes put a drop of milk on her lips to trigger her into eating.
She stopped eating 3 meals before the vomit episode.
The diarrhea seems to also point to a digestive issue.
It's the second crisis, she had a similar one last week, but no vomiting.
Didn't eat or drink for 24+h. Then got back to normal like nothing happened.
This time I panicked because of the vomiting. Based on her state now and the previous episode, I expect her to start getting better by tomorrow morning.
If I wake her up, she's almost all good, playful, alert.
The more she sleeps, the better she gets.

I'm pretty sure she didn't get milk into her lungs. She stopped eating this morning.

Here is her log:

Oct
? Thursday 4, found, eyes are closed, part of the head swollen, small traces of blood on a leg
...
55g Thursday 11, bought a scale
56g Fri 12
61g Sat 13
63g Sun 14
66g Mon 15 - opens the eyes
70g Tue 16
77g Wed 17
77g Thu 18
80g Fri 19
83g Sat 20
83g Sun 21
92g
100g stopped eating
94g diarrhea, still not eating
98g eating well, diarrhea continues
105g all back to normal
110g
110-120
115 Mon 29, stopped eating, vomit

She's normally eating 3-5 ml every 4h now.

[Dvictor]

She still doesn't take any fluids. Diarrhea turned into water.

[Spanky]

When you say "milk" do you mean cow's milk?

[Dvictor]

She is on Fox Valley 20/50 with the exception of first 2-3 days when she was picked up, when she had Esbilac from can.

[Spanky]

At over 7 weeks she can be eating 4 times a day... but that assumes she is eating solids: Is she eating solids? Block should be the first and only solid food until she is eating the block well.

At 115 grams she should be eating a minimum of 5.75ml. Hopefully she is eating less because she is now getting block and other solids and the formula is simply "topper"? Otherwise, if this a sample of her feeding since she arrived I fear she may be malnourished from not having been getting enough food with each feeding over weeks.

[Spanky]

When you say "milk" do you mean cow's milk?

I see now you listed FV and clarified 20/50 earlier, sorry I missed this... if she is eating solids, please list everything she has been eating.

[Dvictor]

She is not eating anything else than FV. 4 times a day.
Sometimes more sometimes less. In general she's under the required intake of ~10% body weight

Doesn't want blocks. I have Mazuri, she doesn't like them.
I ordered teklad 2018, they will arrive tomorrow or so.

[Dvictor]

If I go to a vet (Animal hospital), will they be able to help? Or should I look for a specialist?

[cava]

Can you talk about how you are preparing, storing and using the FV 20/50.

In the photo her tummy looks very rounded and you are describing what COULD be a GI obstruction or irritation at the least.

For instance, how do you store the powder, the formula after you make it, how often do you remake it, are you reusing or heating formula up more than one time, etc.

Healthy babies shouldn't run from their food, let's help you get to the bottom of her aversion to her formula.

Also, at this point, she is dehydrated and needs to be FULLY hydrated before you feed full strength formula to her, especially if a tummy issue is the original problem.

[Dvictor]

Yes, I know no formula offering, just rehydration fluid.
I had a bottle of Esbilac in the fridge, but it's open for more than a week, so I made some salt, sugar mix.

Here's how I use the formula:
I mix it as indicated on the label, put it in the fridge over night. Then take some in the feeding bottle and immerse in hot water to warm.
I keep the prepared formula in the fridge for max about 48h. If it gets over this, I throw it away and mix new.

[Spanky]

She is not eating anything else than FV. 4 times a day.
Sometimes more sometimes less. In general she's under the required intake of ~10% body weight

The feeding protocol is 5% - 7%, not 10%. :thumbsup


Doesn't want blocks. I have Mazuri, she doesn't like them.
I ordered teklad 2018, they will arrive tomorrow or so.

Keep the blocks with her all the time. If the Taklad do not work out you may want to consider Henry's Healthy Block as squirrels seem to like them much better than any other blocks.


Yes, I know no formula offering, just rehydration fluid.
I had a bottle of Esbilac in the fridge, but it's open for more than a week, so I made some salt, sugar mix.

Do you mean Pedialyte in the fridge or truly a bottle of Esbilac? :thinking

[/QUOTE]I mix the formula as indicated on the label, put it in the fridge over night. Then take some in the feeding bottle and immerse in hot water to warm.
I keep the prepared formula in the fridge about 48h. If it gets over this, I throw it away and mix new.[/QUOTE]

Are you using a nursing bottle to feed? If so, please stop right away. A syringe is much better for squirrels, bottles are extremely risky for Aspiration Pneumonia (AP). She's not sneezed formula through her nose has she?

When she is finished eating are you putting the formula back in the fridge or throwing out any warmed up, uneaten formula?

Did she take fluids overnight; if so how much? If not, have you experimented with the temperature? Tried plain water? Tried plain water with just a little sweetener (sugar or apple juice)?

[Spanky]

If I go to a vet (Animal hospital), will they be able to help? Or should I look for a specialist?

Squirrels are considered wildlife and not all vets will treat wildlife. Many will not treat wildlife except those in care of a licensed rehabber. Many will confiscate the wildlife and all too often euthanize without treating.

So, this all comes down to the importance of having what we call a squirrel friendly vet: One that will not confiscate, will treat the squirrel and hopefully has some experience with squirrels.

Are you near Princeton (IL) by chance?
https://www.2ndhandranch.com/

[Dvictor]

Yes, 5%
Yes, Pedialyte
I was awake most of the night...
Sometimes yes, I rewarm milk.
Yes, feeding bottle. I was not able to handle the syringe well. She sucks from the bottle, she seems to synchronize well.
She never sneeze milk. It happen in the first days, until I learned.

[Dvictor]

Chicago W Suburbs. Close to Schaumburg.
Does anyone know help in this area?

[Spanky]

Yes, 5%
Yes, Pedialyte
I was awake most of the night...
Sometimes yes, I rewarm milk.
Yes, feeding bottle. I was not able to handle the syringe well. She sucks from the bottle, she seems to synchronize well.
She never sneeze milk. It happen in the first days, until I learned.

We all understand all too well about sleepless nights with squirrels! You really need to stop using a feeding bottle, it is a death trap (literally) waiting to happen. I am relaying the experience of hundreds of squirrel rehabbers that have raised thousands, even 10's of thousands of squirrels. You need small 3ml syringes.

It is very likely her diarhea is caused from the heating and reusing (reheating of formula). At least that is the most likely cause from what we know now. Any formula that has been warmed for feeding but not fed needs to be thrown out.

[Dvictor]

She didn't get any drop of fluid overnight. She needs urgent help. And I have to go to work at 9

[Spanky]

Chicago W Suburbs. Close to Schaumburg.
Does anyone know help in this area?

There is not a lot of squirrel help that I know of in your area.

If there were any way to get to Princeton, 2nd Hand Ranch is among the best of the best when it comes to squirrels.

https://www.2ndhandranch.com/

[Dvictor]

Right now, since she stopped eating yesterday morning, I'm trying only water or rehydration fluid from the syringe.

[Dvictor]

Princeton is 2h from me. Can't get there.

[Dvictor]

It's really nasty, I have important meetings today at work.
Can't afford to travel 4h

[Spanky]

I wish I knew of someone closer, but I do not. Who will be caring for the baby while you are at work?

Is the baby lethargic and sleeping a lot? Do you have any antibiotics at home? If yes, please tell us what you have on hand and the strength.

She needs to be given water, drop by drop every few minutes to get her rehydrated.

[Dvictor]

I have no antibiotics at home.
I come home in the lunch break so I can follow the 4h schedule.
But now it's really bad.

I managed to get her to lick a few drops of plain water.
Went out, I got some Pedialyte. I'll continue with Pedialyte.

She's sleeping a lot. When I wake her up, she moves around. Especially to run away from feeding.

[Dvictor]

This is how she eats. Used to.
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[Spanky]

Yes, this is exactly the way to NOT feed a baby squirrel. There is very huge risk of Aspiration Pneumonia (AP) and it simply is not okay.

Maybe you can ask around work for antibiotics? Or call family and friends. Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) is a common antibiotic used for urinary tract and respiratory infections and is the best option for AP. Another common med is Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid) which can be used. Try to find anything, if you find something tell us whet it is and we'll advise if it has potential of treating AP.

I believe your baby may benefit from antibiotics, the lethargy and lack of appetite are two signs of AP. Of course, dehydration will cause a lack of appetite as well. Even if you do not use the antibiotics now, it is highly advisable to have it on hand whenever raising a baby squirrel since AP can kill in a matter of hours.

[TubeDriver]

:goodpost

[cava]

This baby needs hourly care. Can you get someone to help try to get some fluids in her? If she hasn't had anything for as long as you say, she may not make it through the day.

[Dvictor]

I hope I'll get to change the feeding method. Right now it's still in crisis.

Finally, she seemed to get a few drops of Pedialyte by herself.
Is the one with prebiotics ok?

I still think it's not AP. Now as I reviewed the events I realized she had quite a large abdomen, she's very thin now, compared. And lost a 10-15g. When she stopped eating, yesterday morning, she started eliminating a lot of excrements. Initially, they were almost solid, the usual yellow orange. It took about 10h, continually eliminating these all over the place, till she started eliminating running thing.

It looks to me more like a digestive problem.

[Dvictor]

I'll try to not be away from her more than 2h today. Except the meetings, I can work remotely from home.

[cava]

You have to get her to take pedialyte. She is missing essential electrolytes due to the diarrhea and anorexia.

Wrap her up so she stays warm (don't make her body do any other work, like staying warm) and offer her warmed pedialyte (or hydration solution) drop by drop. The more hydrated she becomes, the better she will feel and may begin to take on her own. You MUST do this, even if she seems disinterested. Go slow and don't stress her.

Again, keep solution warm and make sure she has access to a heating pad and someplace to snuggle into when she is not being hydrated. No baths, no stress, no nothing. Warmth and hydration.

I agree, antibiotics would be a good idea as well. See if you can get one pill of what was suggested.

[Dvictor]

She was able to get 2ml of clear Pedialyte, by herself.
I think she'll survive.
Buys me time to find a vet.
This seems to be a recurring problem with her anyway.

[cava]

That's great news but you figure she's should be receiving over 5 ml of fluid in her formula every four hours AND you are making up a deficit so keep encouraging her to take fluids, get them into her. The more the better. It may take 24 hours to get her fully hydrated.

What do you mean she drank "by herself"?

[Dvictor]

She actually grabbed the tip of the syringe with her front limbs and start sucking for a few good seconds. That's how she got the 2ml.
Till that time, I was putting small drops on her lips and wait for her to lick.

I'm checking on her every 2h, in between meetings. I'm lucky enough to have the work office 10 mins away.

I did a second check on her since, one more ml of Pedialyte.

I hope I can get back to the average of 5/4 ml every hour.
Then hopefully will be gradually back to formula.

Some people say never mix Pedialyte with formula. I used water to dilute formula for the recovery period, last time she had diarrhea.

There's

[Spanky]

Some people say never mix Pedialyte with formula.

This is the correct advice. Hydration and nutrition are completely opposite: Hydration you want fluids to be absorbed into the body tissues and organs while when you provide nutrition (formula) fluids rush to the digestive system from the tissues and organs to aid in digesting the meal.

[TamiKakes]

Also, just in case you are unaware, don't give pedilyte for long periods of time- I believe its 24 hours- after that it should be just water.

[cava]

Also, just in case you are unaware, don't give pedilyte for long periods of time- I believe its 24 hours- after that it should be just water.

This is normally true, but for this baby who has had diarrhea, anorexia and is very dehydrated, poster may need to do it longer than 24 hours. Frequent updates and photos will help determine if baby is hydrated enough to begin diluted formula (made with water) and begin transitioning to a normal feeding schedule.

[TamiKakes]

This is normally true, but for this baby who has had diarrhea, anorexia and is very dehydrated, poster may need to do it longer than 24 hours. Frequent updates and photos will help determine if baby is hydrated enough to begin diluted formula (made with water) and begin transitioning to a normal feeding schedule.

Thank you for the clarification Cava.

[Dvictor]

How can you not get crazy attached to these creatures? After sleeping for a while in my lap, she went to devour the syringe. She was biting it. 3ml Pedialyte in seconds. She's back. I'll start her on 1/4 dilution next meal.

Now, I'm pretty sure she'll be back on track. But whatever caused the problem is probably still there and it will show up again. She had a total of 3 episodes of diarrhea coupled with anorexia since she's with me. Quite similar, about 36h of not touching food or water.

There's something either in the environment of my house, or in food or water or something I do.

I'm still not even sure about the age, she was injured when she was found. She might be well behind the schedule.

I'll keep you posted.

Thank you so much everybody here for help.

She's out of emergency zone now but not out of danger.

[Dvictor]

Or should I keep her off formula a bit longer? Her appetite is fully back. She just cried for me 30 min later an got another 3ml of Pedialyte. She's not happy with the watery thing, she's searching around for something better. Life's tough.

[SammysMom]

I have someone who might be able to help, but they are an hour and a half from you.

[Dvictor]

That's good, if it's trustworthy. Can you pm me?

[SammysMom]

I found a good, safe person less than an hour from you and you told her no? You have been saying you need help and I know that baby needs help. I really cant believe you told her that you are doing fine.

[Spanky]

That's good, if it's trustworthy. Can you pm me?

This is a wonderful offer from Sammysmom and the person she found to help; SM would not recommend anyone that was not first rate. And this will benefit your baby tremendously. She is way behind... eyes opening at 66 grams is far from the norm; that is less than half the weight she should have been when she first opened her eyes (especially for hearty northern greys in IL). this baby would benefit tremendously from an experienced caretaker to get her caught up, strong and ready for a successful release. She'll need to be over-wintered before release, and over-wintering is very difficult even for the most experienced squirrel rehabbers (the squirrels get cabin fever for lack of a better analogy).

I know you are attached right now and baby squirrels very adorable. But squirrels do not make god pets. As they mature, they become more wild and less like a playful kitten. They are one-person animals and almost always present a threat to anyone but their one person and even then they often viciously attack that person for the smallest reasons: Fresh from the shower or even right after brushing your teeth can do it. They can have a toy or food hidden in their bed and go bezerk if they even think you are after their "treasure". TSB is filled with stories of those that did not heed the experience of others tried to share.

I appreciate all you have done for her and I know you have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience along the way. And that is good because squirrels in need always seem to find you again after you have invested yourself like you have with this little one. The good news is that you will be much better prepared when that day arrives (and I am certain it will). Lord knows we need more compassionate people in the world (especially the ones that care for squirrels!). But the best thing for this little one is a more experienced squirrel person. I know it is hard, but please consider what is best for the squirrel.

[TamiKakes]

:Sad :sad :sad
Anyone have a feeling she is going to disappear from the board thinking shes being bashed?
I have this gut feeling thats what is going to happen and my heart hurts.

[TubeDriver]

Hi Dvictor,
You have been working really hard with this baby and we appreciate that you have been reaching out for help. Some babies are fairy easy to raise (ok, not really, they are all require endless work and care around the clock but some don't have any real issues and things go smoothly) and some babies present with issues. The babies with issues can be VERY tricky to raise successfully. This little one just has not thrived for whatever reason. :( This could be from AP, there could be internal parasites, there could be some other reason that requires extra care and flexibility in terms of alternative formulas, antibiotics and/or antiparasitics, extremely careful feeding etc etc etc. If there is one thing that I have learned over the years I have worked with squirrels is that if you can get the help of someone with more experience, take it! :great We will continue to help you as best as we can but if a REALLY experienced squirrel people like SammysMom suggests a local person with squirrel experience, it is because she is putting the little squirrels interests above all else. If this little one can not gain weight continuously without these vomiting/decreased appetite issues, another set of experienced hands may make the difference and could save her life! So please keep working with us and also consider accepting some local help! :great


That's good, if it's trustworthy. Can you pm me?

[Dvictor]

The squirrel is doing good now. Fully recovered.
She's eating blocks (teklad 2018) and I started her on greens.
Last meal she took 7.5ml of formula. Stool is back to normal.

She's a happy little one. Climbing trees, playing with toys.

She might not spend the winter with me. I knew the implications from the first day.
If any issues arrive, I know where to go, I won't be alone anymore. It's a good feeling.

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[stepnstone]

:Sad :sad :sad
Anyone have a feeling she is going to disappear from the board thinking shes being bashed?
I have this gut feeling thats what is going to happen and my heart hurts.



But whatever caused the problem is probably still there and it will show up again.
She had a total of 3 episodes of diarrhea coupled with anorexia since she's with me.
Quite similar, about 36h of not touching food or water.
There's something either in the environment of my house, or in food or water or something I do.
I'm still not even sure about the age, she was injured when she was found. She might be well behind the schedule.
I'll keep you posted. Thank you so much everybody here for help.
She's out of emergency zone now but not out of danger.

All red flags!
An experienced rehabilatator knows the dangers and the ramifications.
Attempting to get this squirrel into experienced hands is not "bashing!"
It's trying to put the welfare of the squirrel first to ensure it's survival

[Dvictor]

:Sad :sad :sad
Anyone have a feeling she is going to disappear from the board thinking shes being bashed?
I have this gut feeling thats what is going to happen and my heart hurts.

Yes

[TubeDriver]

Dvictor, we are here to help you and will continue to do this but this is the TSB which means we put the welfare of the squirrel above much else. So please remember that if our recommendations seem harsh or personal, it is NOT. It is just the best practices from our accumulated group experience which has rescued, treated, raised and released thousands of squirrels over the years. I hope your little one gets better and thrives but if another episode occurs, your little one could be running out of time.


Yes

[TamiKakes]

Yes

:confused::confused:

[SammysMom]

Dvictor saw reason and brought this baby to the rehabber I found near him. She is vomiting and has diarrhea and really needs prayers. She is in good hands and I am very glad that Victor brought her to help.

[stepnstone]

Dvictor saw reason and brought this baby to the rehabber I found near him. She is vomiting and has diarrhea and really needs prayers. She is in good hands and I am very glad that Victor brought her to help.

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/praying-to-god-smiley-emoticon.gifPrayers for this baby...

[SammysMom]

:Sad :sad :sad
Anyone have a feeling she is going to disappear from the board thinking shes being bashed?
I have this gut feeling thats what is going to happen and my heart hurts.

This post has bothered me since I read it. I have to point out that there was no bashing at all. Pointing out that the baby needed help and then finding help was anything but bashing.
I am here to help squirrels and if toes get squashed occasionally, too bad.

[Nancy in New York]

This post has bothered me since I read it. I have to point out that there was no bashing at all. Pointing out that the baby needed help and then finding help was anything but bashing.
I am here to help squirrels and if toes get squashed occasionally, too bad.

:goodpost

[island rehabber]

This post has bothered me since I read it. I have to point out that there was no bashing at all. Pointing out that the baby needed help and then finding help was anything but bashing.
I am here to help squirrels and if toes get squashed occasionally, too bad.

Job well done, SammysMom! :bowdown Sometimes human toes (and egos) get squished a bit so that we can do what we're here to do -- save the squirrels. :grin3

[SquirrelDad]

Glad the baby is safe, hope she will recover. Praying for the little bean and a big thank you to Dvictor for doing the right thing for the baby even though it's hard.

[TubeDriver]

Prayers for the little squirrel!:please


Thank you Dvictor for putting this babies wellfare above all else. Turning over a squirrel to stranger's hands is always hard but you have given this little one the best chance for healing and eventual release back into the trees!:great

[SammysMom]

Here is the little sweetie after a night of sub q hydration. She was able to take a bit by mouth this morning! :bliss

[kcassidy]

This post has bothered me since I read it. I have to point out that there was no bashing at all. Pointing out that the baby needed help and then finding help was anything but bashing.
I am here to help squirrels and if toes get squashed occasionally, too bad.

I don't blame you for being bothered, I would have been too. Sadly, we long time rehabbers have too many horror stories that we've been thru and many times the bad stuff didn't have to happen if peopl had just done the right thing!!

Tamikakes, stick around and pay attention, you will learn a lot of good information. SammysMom's whole life revolves around squirrels, making sure they are well taken care of. She is way nicer than I am. I am very blunt when I'm defending squirrels, at least SammysMom couches her admonishments in candy coated words :) . You have no idea how hard it is to pull your punches when dealing with peoples egos when all you want is to help/save the squirrels. There was NO bashing, DVictor needed a boot in the A@@ to get him to do right by this little squirrel and thankfully he got it :)


So glad DVictor finally did the right thing and thanks again to SammysMom and her resources for getting this baby in to the hands of an experienced Squirrel person.

[TamiKakes]

I don't blame you for being bothered, I would have been too. Sadly, we long time rehabbers have too many horror stories that we've been thru and many times the bad stuff didn't have to happen if peopl had just done the right thing!!

Tamikakes, stick around and pay attention, you will learn a lot of good information. SammysMom's whole life revolves around squirrels, making sure they are well taken care of. She is way nicer than I am. I am very blunt when I'm defending squirrels, at least SammysMom couches her admonishments in candy coated words :) . You have no idea how hard it is to pull your punches when dealing with peoples egos when all you want is to help/save the squirrels. There was NO bashing, DVictor needed a boot in the A@@ to get him to do right by this little squirrel and thankfully he got it :)


So glad DVictor finally did the right thing and thanks again to SammysMom and her resources for getting this baby in to the hands of an experienced Squirrel person.

Oh, trust me, I am 1,000% on your side (and SammysMoms side)
I just know how brash it may come off over the internet and how many people will just disappear and think of themselves and not the well being of the baby thinking they can do it cause they are "getting better"

[cava]

Thanks DVictor and SammysMom for working together. Best wishes to her.:Love_Icon

[Dvictor]

For who's following this story, here are some videos I put together with Meredith, that's the squirrel's name.
The last video (top) was filmed on Sunday at noon, a few hours before she started feeling bad again and I had to bring her to the rehabber.
I miss her like crazy.

First time she climbs up to the top box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtvT9tgcJU&t=

Discovering the bigger home, before transition from the smaller box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJaCfTBfsiU

Chewing rodent blocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nknkPIRU9Bw

Boxes are fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51gQbSk4F4

[SquirrelDad]

For who's following this story, here are some videos I put together with Meredith, that's the squirrel's name.
The last video (top) was filmed on Sunday at noon, a few hours before she started feeling bad again and I had to bring her to the rehabber.
I miss her like crazy.

First time she climbs up to the top box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtvT9tgcJU&t=

Discovering the bigger home, before transition from the smaller box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJaCfTBfsiU

Chewing rodent blocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nknkPIRU9Bw

Boxes are fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51gQbSk4F4

OH the baby!!! I'd miss her too... I don't blame you one bit.

[TubeDriver]

That is a nice cage you built for her. Squirrels do get into your heart, in fact you may never look at squirrel or any wildlife in the same way now! She is getting expert care and hopefully can really start to add some weight and strength.

One suggestion in the future if you come across another little one, perhaps make a lower level in your cage since little ones will try to climb before they should, thay can be unstable and clumsy at first. With a lower level, you can help to prevent accidental falls. Later when they get older, you can open up the cage so they can use the logtree and the upper levels that you made.

I know you miss her but you gave her the chance to thrive and get strong enough for eventual release. Think how good that will feel, knowing you helped to save her and set her on a path that leads to freedom in the trees!:great




For who's following this story, here are some videos I put together with Meredith, that's the squirrel's name.
The last video (top) was filmed on Sunday at noon, a few hours before she started feeling bad again and I had to bring her to the rehabber.
I miss her like crazy.

First time she climbs up to the top box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtvT9tgcJU&t=

Discovering the bigger home, before transition from the smaller box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJaCfTBfsiU

Chewing rodent blocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nknkPIRU9Bw

Boxes are fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51gQbSk4F4

[JoeysMom]

For who's following this story, here are some videos I put together with Meredith, that's the squirrel's name.
The last video (top) was filmed on Sunday at noon, a few hours before she started feeling bad again and I had to bring her to the rehabber.
I miss her like crazy.

First time she climbs up to the top box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtvT9tgcJU&t=

Discovering the bigger home, before transition from the smaller box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJaCfTBfsiU

Chewing rodent blocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nknkPIRU9Bw

Boxes are fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U51gQbSk4F4

Just a thought on the cage, a couple anyway. Where ever the seams are of two sections of hardware cloth that are added together those points on the mesh need to be covered, it's an injury waiting to happen to anyone that builds their own cages. My main thought though after reading through this thread is what wood was used in the cage? If it was treated wood, would that or could that cause the sickness this little one experienced?

[Dvictor]

Only if there was a space-time anomaly. She was transferred to the big cage right after she recovered.
She was gaining strength and confidence. I was putting her in gradually, under permanent supervision, for minutes, then hours, then over night.

[JoeysMom]

Only if there was a space-time anomaly. She was transferred to the big cage right after she recovered.
She was gaining strength and confidence. I was putting her in gradually, under permanent supervision, for minutes, then hours, then over night.

Thanks, I made mention because treated wood can cause illness. I made that mistake once by mixing up my cage boards with treated wood supplies for other projects.