Found baby squirrel... What is the next step?

[Anonymouslyme]

Hello.

I am new to the board and looking for some advice. Last night, a baby squirrel fell out of the nest and our cat grabbed it. We were able to get the squirrel away from the cat, and it only has some minor scratches. This morning, I contacted our local vet and they referred us to local wildlife rehabbers. We left a message for the rehabbers this morning, and they texted me asking for more information. I provided that information, but I am still waiting for them to get back in contact with me. From my own research, I believe this squirrel is approx 4-5 weeks old (eyes still closed). We have been giving the squirrel clear pedialyte. My question is: Should we be providing it something else to eat? This afternoon we followed instructions to try and reunite it with the mother (keeping it warm, placing at base of tree, playing baby squirrel in distress sounds) with no luck. Also, this is an Eastern gray squirrel.

Thank you.

[Chickenlegs]

Please read

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

Your baby needs food soon. That link will give you the basics for taking care of your little blessing. Esbilac is the prefered formula—the powdered kind for puppies—in a container with a blue band. You can get it at a pet store. NOT a substitute. Use a small syringe (not more than 3 cc) for feeding—no eyedroppers. Mix the formula 2 parts water to 1 part formula powder in very hot water (stirstirstir and stir somemore) and allow it to sit for several hours. There is a goatsmilk formula that can be mixed and fed immediately. Might want to do that if you can get goatsmilk tonight. Baby is hungry. Feed 5% of the baby’s weight and be sure to stimulate him to pee and poop. Be sure the formula is very warm and go slow—don’t want him aspirating formula. There are nipples but may not find a suitable one at a pet store. In a pinch use just the syringe. Remember: GO SLOW! Pretty much everything is in that link. Hopefully a rehabber has contacted you but if not, get ready for the most wonder ride of your life—raising a baby squirrel. TSB is here to help.

[Mel1959]

Where in Fl are you located? There’s lots of TSB members located in this state. I’m on the east coast near Cocoa Bch if i can help.

Are the scratches you refer to a result of your cat? Cats saliva is deadly to squirrels. Sometimes there can be a wound that isn’t noticeable, but it allows the bacteria to enter the squirrels bloodstream. Since your cat had the squirrel in it’s mouth we typically recommend a round of antibiotics, just in case. Do you have any meds on hand. If so, what? Baytril (animal)/Ciproflaxin (human) or Clavamox (animal)/augmenting (human) will work. But if you have something else let us know it might work. Call around to family and friends, it will only take one pill.

Thank you for helping this little one. :hug

[Anonymouslyme]

Update: I have reached out to the rehabber again, and we were advised to bring the squirrel to her earlier today, but then she had a meeting from 530-7pm, so we missed each other. We just rode back by her home, and she it still not there, nor has she replied to my messages. The squirrels right arm is swollen and it does not want to eat. I am unsure what to do at this point. The only antibotic that we have left over was for our pomeranian and it is doxycycline 200mg tablets. Any advice?

[Anonymouslyme]

Where in Fl are you located? There’s lots of TSB members located in this state. I’m on the east coast near Cocoa Bch if i can help.

Are the scratches you refer to a result of your cat? Cats saliva is deadly to squirrels. Sometimes there can be a wound that isn’t noticeable, but it allows the bacteria to enter the squirrels bloodstream. Since your cat had the squirrel in it’s mouth we typically recommend a round of antibiotics, just in case. Do you have any meds on hand. If so, what? Baytril (animal)/Ciproflaxin (human) or Clavamox (animal)/augmenting (human) will work. But if you have something else let us know it might work. Call around to family and friends, it will only take one pill.

Thank you for helping this little one. :hug

We are located in North Central Florida, and the only antibotic we have is doxycycline 200 mg tablets, previously used for our pomeranian.

[Anonymouslyme]

Also, we are still feeding the squirrel Pedialyte because we thought we would be able to give the squirrel over to the rehabber today. Should we try to feed it formula? I am concerned because the squirrel has had a decrease in movement today and the right arm is swollen. I went and bought some puppy formula, but do we have to wait hours to feed it to the squirrel? Needing advice...

[Mel1959]

How far north? I’m not sure who you’ve contacted, but there are several rehabbers in your area. Is the baby rehydrated? Mix the formula one part formula to two parts very warm water and mix. You don’t need to wait hours to feed. It’s ideal to let the formula sit before feeding, but it won’t hurt him provided you do a really good job mixing it. Go slow.

What is the expiration date on the doxycycline? It’s the one drug you never want to use if it’s expired.

I know of rehabbers in Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Oviedo, Port Orange, Orlando. Any of these close?

[Anonymouslyme]

Thank you for your reply. We are several hours away from those locations. We're in the Gainesville area. The doxycycline was prescribed to my pom on 12/3/2018, but I see no expiration on the bottle.

[Mel1959]

It’s probably still good, that was only a couple of months ago. Is it liquid or pill? I don’t know if this is a good drug for this particular problem or not? Do you think the arm is swollen from injury from a fall or the cat?

[Anonymouslyme]

200 mg tablets--breakable into 1/4 tablets.

The squirrel is also between 4-5 weeks with eyes closed, if that helps.

Mel, the arm that is swollen is the one with scratches to it. Our cat got to the squirrel first, but we were able to get it away from him.

[Mel1959]

Do you have a weight on the squirrel? Can you post a picture of him beside something like a coke can for reference so we can guess weight?

[redwuff]

How much does the baby weigh?

[Mel1959]

Eyes closed 4 week old Fl squirrel is probably about 40-45gr.

[Anonymouslyme]

How much does the baby weigh?

Just weighed him, he is 55 grams. I'll try to upload some pictures too.

[Mel1959]

Awesome! Someone will dose for you.

[redwuff]

Give me a minute

[Anonymouslyme]

307854

[Anonymouslyme]

307855

[redwuff]

Dosing sent. What do you have to feed with? Why do you think this baby needs doxy? Have you started him on formula. You don’t want to be giving meds on an empty stomach. This is a tough med for the GI. Do you have Clavamox or augmentin?

[SammysMom]

Dosing sent. What do you have to feed with? Why do you think this baby needs doxy? Have you started him on formula. You don’t want to be giving meds on an empty stomach. This is a tough med for the GI. Do you have Clavamox or augmentin?

Cat found the baby.

[redwuff]

Also, we are still feeding the squirrel Pedialyte because we thought we would be able to give the squirrel over to the rehabber today. Should we try to feed it formula? I am concerned because the squirrel has had a decrease in movement today and the right arm is swollen. I went and bought some puppy formula, but do we have to wait hours to feed it to the squirrel? Needing advice...

Yes feed the baby, but mix the Esbilac 3 water to one powder and give that for 3 feedings and then mix two to one and feed. Feed 5% of body wt or 2.3 ccs warmed to touch. Weigh each day and feed 5% of that wt for each feeding that day.

[Anonymouslyme]

Everyone,

Thank you all so much for your replies. The rehabber contacted us right after I posted the pictures, and we met her at a gas station and handed our little one over to her. I cried and I am still upset about handing him over. He will be given to a foster person who will help rehabiliate him. We were hoping to be able to stay in contact with the rehabber to ensure he survives, but that does not look like an option. Again, thank you all for the help and support.

Much love... <3

[island rehabber]

I know it must hurt to have given him up, but please know that you did the absolutely BEST thing for the baby squirrel. With the issues he has he truly needs to be in experienced hands. Follow up with the rehabber to see how he's doing. I was an absolute pain in the butt to the rehabber who took my first squirrel. I pestered her until she invited me to become a rehabber myself, and she signed off on my paperwork. :grin3

[TubeDriver]

You saved his life and then gave him to someone who can raise him to be strong, healthy and wild! Good rescue!:great

[Anonymouslyme]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words. I don't think I have the heart to be a rehabber though. I felt a special connection to this little one because I have carried him around in my shirt, so he could have skin to skin contact and stay warm. I have taken him to work with me for the past couple of days, so he has spent quite a bit of time with me. I hope that he will be taken care of as much as we cared for him. I was also hoping that he would be released near our home, but they release in a different area. Again, thank you all.

[Chickenlegs]

The thing you gave him was selfless love. He’ll growup with other babies and that will make him a proper squirrel. He will have the heartbeats of brothers and sisters, and the availability of a vet. You have EXACTLY the right heart—to do what’s in the best interests of your baby. Don’t be surprised if your heart doesn’t get another workout. There’s something magic about finding a baby squirrel—and it would seem an invisable thread connecting you to the wild world. The wild world knows, it so don’t be surprised if another baby finds you :Love_Icon

[crazy4squirrels]

You did a wonderful thing....gave baby a chance for life back in the wild. Thank you

[skeetersmom]

I had to relinquish my little man, Skeeter to a licensed rehabber (fantastic woman who knows her stuff). It broke my heart but I had no choice. He matured and attacked me. I got so attached....they are such wonderful animals. I now try and volunteer once a week where he is. Without love, there is no pain. Call him or her and just see how he is doing......but the good thing is that you now have a new found love for squirrels.....thank you for caring.
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