Abandoned in North Dakota

[twobabysquirrels]

Hi All,
I found 2 baby squirrels laid out on the sidewalk in the pouring rain on Saturday. Picked up one and it was very cold, so I picked up both of them and brought them to my office. Am currently feeding them every 3 hours Esbilac in a syringe. Both are going to the bathroom with stimulation and eating well. Am posting some pics so you can tell me what you think. Do they look too thin to you? Might they not be getting enough nourishment? Am reading online about rehabilitators, don't seem to be many in this state. Am planning a trip to MN in about a week and a half and am hoping to get in touch with a rehabilitator there. Thanks for any help you can provide.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/lunger/squirrel001.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/lunger/squirrel003.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/lunger/squirrel005.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/lunger/squirrel006.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/lunger/squirrel007.jpg

[Apple Corps]

twobabysquirrels - they are sooooooooo cute - and look pretty healthy.

Be sure to not let them aspirate on the Esbilac when feeding - according to Mars (rehabber guru) the baby should be held with belly down and level and the feeding syringe brought up to its mouth from underneath at about a 45 degree angle and slightly fom the side. Gentle taps on the plunger and see how they take it - don't want any getting into the lungs.

Also - be sure to keep the lil fuzzers warm - a COVERED heating pad on low setting covering ONLY half the box you have them in so they can crawl on or off the heated portion as needed.

More to follow - WELCOME :Welcome :Welcome :Welcome and thanks for helping these lil cuties !!!!! :jump

[twobabysquirrels]

Yep, they're staying pretty warm. I have them in a bathroom that has a space heater, the air temp in their box is about 88 degrees. Is this too warm? They seem to be snuggling together nicely. I left a message for the one rehabber in North Dakota, but haven't heard back. :dono Thanks so much for the VERY quick responses!

About the eating... they eat flat on their tummies, but move around a lot while doing so. They haven't had any trouble with aspirating or anything. Thanks for the help!! Anyone know of a squirrel rehabber in MN who isn't inundated with babies right now?

[twobabysquirrels]

Oh also, I'll get a gram scale tomorrow and weigh them. :) thank you!

[Mars]

I think this may be helpful:


http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/list.pdf

Sounds like you are doing very well. :)

I'll be checking in in the morning if you have any questions.

[Abacat]

:Welcome to TSB...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/wavesmile.gif (http://www.millan.net) from NY
I have a special spot in my heart for Red squirrels...yours are adorable!!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon
Thank you so much for caring for the two lost babies, most people would just look the other way. You are a 11857 Godmother to those lil Reds... Thanks again !

PS Sounds like you've done your homework with the feedings, they look good to me. :thumbsup
I'd guess their age to be 4 to 5 weeks old...Please keep the pics coming. :D

[Momma Squirrel]

:Welcome how are the two babies doing this morning?? Any luck from the rehabber? You are doing a great job and I personally want to say :thankyou for not just walking by but picking those precious babies up and caring for them. They are beautiful and from the pictures look in good health.

Did you see any signs of the nest or mom?

[Bravo]

They do look great... they must be growing quickly. Thanks for taking care of them and for the photos.:thumbsup

[Critter_Queen]

Hello!

I would still suggest adding a heating pad under half of the box and then leaving them in a normal-temp room. The reason for this is that the space heater will dry out the air and it won't keep them warm enough, but will heat the air their breathing. A squirrel's natural body temp is approximately 99 degrees...if you pick them up in your hand and they do not feel at least as warm as your hand, they aren't warm enough...don't want to make them TOO warm either...but a heating pad would be great.

By the way, they are red squirrels, and they are beautiful!! :)

I'm not sure if a rehabber in MN would take your squirrels because that would actually be illegal (not that it doesn't happen, but wanted to let you know before you asked someone so you know exactly what you are asking. :thumbsup ) since they were found in your state and would be rehabbed/released in another....

Are you able to care for them yourself if need be?

:Welcome to TSB and THANKS for caring enough to pick them up!

[nenaj1]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww they are so freakin adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[twobabysquirrels]

Hi All,
I leave for vacation in a week in a half. Well, not really a vacation, but I'm in a friend's wedding in VA. I'll be gone for 4 days and there's no one here that can care for them. They're doing just fine today... more active every day. :) I'll get a heating pad tonight. One that doesn't have automatic shutoff!

[Momma Squirrel]

What will you do with the 2 lil babies?? Do you have someone that can take care of them while you are away?

[Buddy'sMom]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww they are so freakin adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
:yeahthat :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

I hope you can find a rehabber to take them. If you can't find anyone, is there any chance that a friend could "babysit" while you are gone? :dono You would have time to show them what to do.

:grouphug :grouphug

[Critter_Queen]

You know, I just realized you don't say if you're driving or flying...can you clarify? :)

[Critter_Queen]

After re-reading...I'm going to guess she lives in eastern ND and will be flying out of MN... :D Where in MN, I wouldn't have a clue. :)

[twobabysquirrels]

Sorry I haven't been able to reply much, we're in training for work right now. :) I am flying to VA. My friend is driving to MN the same weekend, and I thought he could drop them off at a rehabber if possible. I've contacted a bunch of people on the list posted earlier, so thank you for that! I'll keep you all posted. Thanks so much for your kindness. You all are a great group of people!

[twobabysquirrels]

Here's what I've done:

Got a food scale. They weigh approx 36 grams a piece. Not sure if this is good or not.

I also got a better eyedropper for their food (one they can suck on on their own), and now they eat about 3/4 - 1 tsp per feeding (every 3 hours).

Also got a heating pad, but it has auto shutoff. So, I got a reptile heater mat that goes under a tank. They're on the half heating pad right now, but I have the reptile mat plugged in to see how hot it'll end up being, and then I'll see if that is an option.

Thanks again for all your help everyone! :)

[thundersquirrel]

hi! sorry i'm just now joining this convo.

be careful with that dropper- babies often get overeager and aspirate, and if this happens they can often get pneumonia. you should monitor them whenever they eat.

the heat sounds good. make sure you offer them a somewhat cool place to crawl to, just in case.

they are adorable! i hope you find a rehabber soon. until then, i would rely on this site- a lot of squirrel help sites are good, but a lot of them have flaws. this is a VERY reliable place because we can pool knowledge and address your specific situation.

have fun with them! :)

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

I agree get to a vet & get a syringe a 1cc.
Less problems with aspiration!!:Welcome

[twobabysquirrels]

Thanks everyone! I just found out with the help of this board that they're both girls. :)

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

They are very cute! I hope you are able to find a rehabber who will take them.

[Buddy'sMom]

I agree get to a vet & get a syringe a 1cc.
Less problems with aspiration!!:Welcome
You might also be able to get them at a pharmacy -- some will give them to you, some will not. You can say they are to feed orphan kittens -- sometimes that helps :) .

Your girls are very cute!! :grouphug

[twobabysquirrels]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/lunger/squirrel.jpg

Here's lookin at you! Tonight one girl opened 1 eye. :D

[LynninIN]

So incredibly cute. :Love_Icon

[pamela lee]

:Welcome :wave123 Your little Reds are adorable. Keep up the great job, their looking good. Good luck finding someone to take them for you.
Pamela

[Momma Squirrel]

What a great picture, just love those big back feet :thumbsup

[Abacat]

Any news? How are the girls doing? At @5 weeks they start opening their eyes, weight should range between 40 to 50 grams...Hope that helps... Good Luck finding someone to take or squirrel-sit until you get back from your friend's wedding... Keep us posted...:D Awesome pic!!!!:Love_Icon
:thankyou

[twobabysquirrels]

Good morning! Both girls are doing well. I posted some pics of them in the Nursery section. I am talking with a rehabber in Grand Rapids, MN, and am hoping to bring them there or somewhere close to there on Friday. I'm going to miss these girls so much. They've both got their eyes open now, and are scurrying around all over the place and so active! They're just adorable. I wish I had the means to keep them, but I know that them being wild and outdoors will be better for both of them and myself in the long run. :D Thanks for asking!

[Abacat]

Saw your Nursery post...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon They sure can find a way into your heart quickly...my first squirrel was a red, named Riley. He's been released since spring. I've had eight others since him...3 grays and 5 reds, loved each and every one. Thankfully they hang around my yard for "Mom" to still see occaisionally, they too have been released. Best of Luck to you and your Red girls, hope things work out w/ the rehabber...Enjoy your vacation, and have some fun at your friend's wedding...:D
Stick around now that you've found us, even if the girls do go to stay with the rehabber. Perhaps they(the rehabber) could be pursuaded to join us :poke
Seriously, you are a great, caring person, and the fact that you saved those girls is AWESOME. 11970
Got any other critters you'd like to share pics of? :D How about scenic shots?
I've always dreamed of touring out "West" ...I hear it's absolutely Heaven...For the longest time I wanted to move out there, but alas here I stay in NY...:dono

[TexanSquirrel]

Such beautiful babies! :Welcome :Welcome :Welcome