Young southern flying squirrel

[Jen_n_GA]

Hey everyone! I'm going to try this again! I never pressed submit and it all disappeared. My cats brought in a baby flying squirrel last night. I didn't even know they were around here. He seems okay on the outside but I'm worried about internal issues. Should I release him tonight or keep an eye on him for a couple more days? He's very friendly and he did eat some grapes last night. It's all I had and it says that they eat them online.. I'm not sure if they got them from my backyard or not we have woods all around us. But for the past few months I have been hearing a different animal noise in the trees. I did look it up today and listened to their sound and it is the same sound. I'd love to keep him because he's so adorable! I also know he's wild it needs to go back. It is wrong to keep them right? LOL

[Spanky]

Hey everyone! I'm going to try this again! I never pressed submit and it all disappeared. My cats brought in a baby flying squirrel last night. I didn't even know they were around here. He seems okay on the outside but I'm worried about internal issues. Should I release him tonight or keep an eye on him for a couple more days? He's very friendly and he did eat some grapes last night. It's all I had and it says that they eat them online.. I'm not sure if they got them from my backyard or not we have woods all around us. But for the past few months I have been hearing a different animal noise in the trees. I did look it up today and listened to their sound and it is the same sound. I'd love to keep him because he's so adorable! I also know he's wild it needs to go back. It is wrong to keep them right? LOL

Any squirrel that is cat caught should be treated with antibiotics. It can be nearly impossible to tell if there is a puncture or scratch, even for the most experienced and cat saliva is simply lethal to a squirrel.

Can you post a picture of him? Does his fur look kind of "greasy" (usually indicates an adolescent squirrel)?

What general area of GA are you located?

[Jen_n_GA]

I'm in North Georgia. Gainesville. I'm trying to upload the picture but it keeps saying that I don't have permission to do it.

[Spanky]

I sent you a PM with my e-mail address... if you send the pictures to that address I will post them to your thread.

[Spanky]

Here are the pics:

312292

312293

[stepnstone]

I'm in North Georgia. Gainesville. I'm trying to upload the picture but it keeps saying that I don't have permission to do it.

You are fully registered now, you should be able to.
Refresh your screen and try it again.

[Spanky]

In that second picture it looks more like an adolescent than in the first picture... unless that happens to be a "wet spot" on her back? Any chance you can weigh her on a kitchen scale? The weight will help with any medication dosing and also maybe assist in determining if this is an adult or adolescent.

Do you have any antibiotics in the medicine cabinet? If yes, tell us what you might have and someone will advise if it is effective for treating possible cat bites and we'll help with dosing.

I am not far from Gainesville (Lake Hartwell) if needed.

[Jen_n_GA]

In that second picture it looks more like an adolescent than in the first picture... unless that happens to be a "wet spot" on her back? Any chance you can weigh her on a kitchen scale? The weight will help with any medication dosing and also maybe assist in determining if this is an adult or adolescent.

Do you have any antibiotics in the medicine cabinet? If yes, tell us what you might have and someone will advise if it is effective for treating possible cat bites and we'll help with dosing.

I am not far from Gainesville (Lake Hartwell) if needed.



31 grams

I have...
Doxycycline and Amoxicillin both in caplets
Penicillin in a pill
Azithromycin liquid

[HRT4SQRLS]

Jen, you have an awkward situation here. You really have no idea where the cat found the baby. Cats hunt so it might not be from your yard. Another problem is the cat mouth. It is standard practice to treat all babies that are cat caught. You might not see an injury at all but if there is the tiniest puncture it will cause an infection. These infections can be pretty bad. The baby does need antibiotics. Do you have any? We can dose it for you. If not, you should definitely link up with Spanky as he will have antibiotics. By the time the antibiotics are complete, the likelihood of reuniting with the mom will be reduced. Actually I fear even trying to reunite would go bad. If the baby decides to climb the tree out of your reach and it doesn’t find mom it’s survival alone is almost zero. Flyers are colony dwellers. They don’t live alone. Their survival depends on the colony especially in the winter. Their body mass is so small they will actually freeze if the temperature gets below 32 for an extended time if they are alone. I sadly remember one of our members picking up frozen flyers in Texas. :sadness

Releasing flyers is a bit more complicated than releasing grey squirrels. Single grey squirrels can be released by themselves. Flyers have to be released as part of a group. We never release singleton flyers. In the spring or summer the best option is to find a rehabber with a colony of flyers to incorporate a singleton into the group. The problem now is that winter is approaching and it is unlikely you will find a rehabber with a colony. You could try but I’m not optimistic about finding anything at this time.

As far as your last statement, “I know he’s wild and needs to go back. It is wrong to keep them, right?”
The answer is usually YES, YES, YES! If wildlife is healthy, they should always be rehabbed for release. Those with disabilities that can’t survive in nature are often kept as non-releases (pets). Every attempt is made to give NR animals a good quality life. It is often a challenge.

Now to your situation. You can not release this little one. It would be certain death. Flyers are very different from grey squirrels. Grey squirrels make lousy pets. Flyers actually do make great pets. They bond tightly to their human so they do make good pets for the committed person. I usually do not recommend that people get flyers because most don’t understand the commitment. You do realize that they are nocturnal? That means they sleep all day long and are awake at night. Most people aren’t nocturnal but you can make it work. They are expensive to own. The diet is complex and expensive. I swear I could feed a Great Dane for what I spend on two flyers. Owning a flying squirrel is illegal in many states so finding vet care is difficult. I’m not sure about GA but I suspect it is illegal. Ga is a tough state. TSB knows where the safe vets are so that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. In illegal states you have to be careful about who knows you have a flyer. You never discuss it on social media. Game wardens troll FB looking for wildlife in the hands of the public.

It is difficult to get a sitter for your flyer if you need to travel. Only people you know VERY well and can follow directions are suitable sitters.
I’m not trying to talk you out of keeping the little guy as a pet. I just want you to know what you’re getting into. It is a big commitment but a very rewarding one. They are so sweet and I love them dearly. I have seen so many flyers that were taken into a home as a pet and then later on they want to rehome the animal because it wasn’t what they expected. That always makes me sad.

If you think you’re up to it, yes, you can keep him as a pet.

[HRT4SQRLS]

What is the concentration (mg) of the Doxycycline? That will work.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Based on an age chart we have, the baby is about 35 days old.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?42825-Baby-Flyer-weights-and-age/page3

[Jen_n_GA]

He's up and ready to eat. I bought sweet potato, apple, sugar snap peas and have grapes and pine nuts. What should I feed him?

[Jen_n_GA]

What is the concentration (mg) of the Doxycycline? That will work.

It's 100mg

[HRT4SQRLS]

Give me a minute to calculate this.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Jen, do you have a 1cc syringe?
I’m going to send dosing in a Private Message.

[Jen_n_GA]

It is difficult to get a sitter for your flyer if you need to travel. Only people you know VERY well and can follow directions are suitable sitters.
I’m not trying to talk you out of keeping the little guy as a pet. I just want you to know what you’re getting into. It is a big commitment but a very rewarding one. They are so sweet and I love them dearly. I have seen so many flyers that were taken into a home as a pet and then later on they want to rehome the animal because it wasn’t what they expected. That always makes me sad.

If you think you’re up to it, yes, you can keep him as a pet.

I don't work so the night thing won't be a problem at all. My parents and my brother live near me so babysitters are taken care of. They will be able to come here. My brother lives nextdoor so he will get to know them well.

Right now he is in a small hamster cage because we had it on hand but he definitely needs something bigger. What is the best thing for him? We can also make a cage if needed.

What is the best way to get him comfortable with us? I don't want to scare him but we need to get to know each other.

What type of food should I get for him?

I keep calling it a him but can you tell at this age what sex they are?

[Jen_n_GA]

Jen, do you have a 1cc syringe?
I’m going to send dosing in a Private Message.

I only have syringes that are ml.

[RockyPops]

Thank you for loving this baby!:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

I only have syringes that are ml.

ml is the same as cc.

[HRT4SQRLS]

The baby will need formula. You will have to order it but now you can use a temporary formula.
Goat milk, heavy cream and yogurt.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You can give him a tiny bit of apple, sugar snap pea and the sweet potato. In the AM, you need to get the goat milk, heavy cream and whole fat yogurt. (NO pine nuts at all.)

[Jen_n_GA]

Thank you for loving this baby!:Love_Icon

I love animals! We've had all kinds. My very said we have a huge blinking sign over our house that says sucker! LOL! Animals show up all the time. We even had a basset hound in a parakeet show up! That was years ago. We are the house thatt all the animals come to!

[RockyPops]

I love animals! We've had all kinds. My very said we have a huge blinking sign over our house that says sucker! LOL! Animals show up all the time. We even had a basset hound in a parakeet show up! That was years ago. We are the house thatt all the animals come to!

That's the way it is at my house. My wife and son have never seen an animal that they don't want to adopt.

I said thank God that elephants and giraffes don't roam around these parts cause there would be one in my house!

:grin2

[HRT4SQRLS]

If you have decided to keep the baby, this is the formula you should make in the morning. I will post things you need to order.


TEMPORARY GOAT'S MILK FORMULA:


3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

[HRT4SQRLS]

These are the things you need to order tonight.

https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50-for-baby-squirrels/


https://www.henryspets.com/miracle-slip-tip-o-ring-syringes/


https://www.henryspets.com/miracle-nipples/


https://www.henryspets.com/flyer-diet/

[Jen_n_GA]

Girl or boy?312294

[Spanky]

If you have decided to keep the baby....

If you decide its best to release, I have 2 girls from this fall right around the same age. Flyers are a challenge as they need to be released in groups ("colonies") that include both sexes... so at least 1 boy and one girl. So that leaves me in search of someone with fall flyers babies that includes a male these can join fir release... or minimally a singleton male to incorporate with them to form a colony and I will release them.

If this baby is a boy it would be a prayer answered for these 2 precious girls. If it is a girl, she is more than welcome to join these 2... I'll overwinter them if needed to form a colony for Spring release.

[Jen_n_GA]

These are the things you need to order tonight.

https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50-for-baby-squirrels/


https://www.henryspets.com/miracle-slip-tip-o-ring-syringes/


https://www.henryspets.com/miracle-nipples/


https://www.henryspets.com/flyer-diet/

What size syringes? .5 or 1?

Mini nipples it original? I'm assuming mini but want to make sure.

There are multiple foods in this page. Which is best?

[Jen_n_GA]

That's the way it is at my house. My wife and son have never seen an animal that they don't want to adopt.

I said thank God that elephants and giraffes don't roam around these parts cause there would be one in my house!

:grin2

LOL!

[Jen_n_GA]

.

If this baby is a boy it would be a prayer answered for these 2 precious girls. If it is a girl, she is more than welcome to join these 2... I'll overwinter them if needed to form a colony for Spring release.

Can you tell from the picture?

[Jen_n_GA]

If you have decided to keep the baby, this is the formula you should make in the morning. I will post things you need to order.



So, do I only feed it once a day?

[stepnstone]

Girl or boy?312294

Boy :grin2

[Jen_n_GA]

Boy :grin2

Ok! I kinda figured! LOL!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, boy.

My adults are fed once a day ... at night.

Young flyers would eat more often. I would offer formula every 6 hrs. (Between 1.5-2ml )
Use a 1ml syringe.
1/2 of a Henry’s Flyer Block twice a day.
When young they aren’t totally nocturnal. Adults are totally nocturnal.

This little boy would make a nice addition to Spanky’s colony. He would have 2 sisters to snuggle with.

[Spanky]

The Fall 2019 Colony is coming together... we started with a couple pairs and several singletons but after a few weeks they are sleeping in basically two groups. This little boy from Gainesville was one of the most seclusive, shy flyers that I have ever had.. but he is coming out of his shell with the help of a few friends. I have to note he was not so shy with Jen_N_GA and her niece but he now has a very strong bond with his new cage (room?) mates.

The entire fall 2019 group interacts with each other during non-sleep hours and even my NR Rockie seems much more tolerable of this fall's group invading her domain than in past seasons (I do not always have flyers every season)... she does get just a little jealous. I am sure well before spring arrives this group will all have come together as a true colony. Soon I will place a wooden nest box on the wall that will move with them to the RC. A tri-level flyer box on the wall always seems to be the fait accompli... now I just need to find time to build a few more nest boxes (KT has a requested I place a few more out n view of the kitchen windows for her)... in my spare time! :laugh1

313040

[RockyPops]

Thanks for the update Spanky! Glad to see they're all doing so well and gelling together!:grin3

[HRT4SQRLS]

:w00t Great update Spanky. I’m so happy the kids are bonding.
...in your spare time. :tap :laugh2