Injured baby squirrel- need rehabber in NE Ohio

[newtosquirrels]

A friend of mine contacted me last night about a baby squirrel that her son found in their yard. They kept it overnight and tried to reunite with mom today. Unfortunately they thought it was a successful reunion but then later found the baby again and it appears it may have fallen from the nest? I don’t know all of the details, but I offered to help because I have helped baby squirrels in the past. When I went to pick up the baby, I noticed that it had blood and some foam in its nose and mouth. 😔 It was also really cold. I have it in a box with fleece blankets and have a heating pad under half of the box. It has definitely perked up a bit but I am really concerned about the blood. I am also hearing a clicking sound intermittently. I’m not sure what is wrong with the little guy but I need help! Is there someone in the Northeast Ohio area that can help me save this baby? I already tried Sippo Lake rehab center but they never called me back!

[TamG13]

Unfortunately, it sounds like he may have fluid in his lungs. Quote from the squirrel forum:

"Clicking (aspiration pneumonia).*If formula comes out baby’s nose, he may have inhaled some, causing aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms are loss of appetite, lethargy, and a clicking noise when the baby breathes. Hold the baby’s chest to your ear and listen carefully. The clicking is with each breath, in and out.*This must be treated immediately with antibiotics or the baby will die."

Link to where this came from: https://squirrelforum.com/care-resources/

The page this link will take you to have LOTS of information you will probably find very useful.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here is a link to baby squirrel care.

https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/

I wouldn’t worry about the blood from the nose. It is very common in baby squirrels. They often fall face first because the head is large compared to the body. It is usually self limiting.
Is the clicking with every breathe? If so, it could be aspiration pneumonia. It will need to be treated with antibiotics. If you have a single pill we can dose it for you. We would need the babies weight and the mg of the pill.

The sound might be coming from the bloody nose if it’s not constant. I don’t know any rehabbers in Ohio. Keep the baby on a LOW heating pad under 1/2 the bin. Hydrate the baby per the link above. There are active FaceBook squirrel groups that would probably help you find a rehabber near by.

[newtosquirrels]

Thank you for your reply. I actually think the clicking sound was just congestion from the nose/mouth injury. I am not hearing it today. I have tried calling several rehabbers in this area with no response. Baby boy is doing better today. Yesterday I just kept him warm and hydrated, and last night I started him on Fox Valley 20/50 formula. He is peeing and had his first poop today, although it was still dark and a bit hard. I’m not sure if it is because of the injury or not but he is a terrible nurser. He hasn’t figured out how to suck the nipple well so it is a very slow process to feed him. He just took 4cc, but very slowly. This morning he weighed 88 grams and I will keep checking his weight daily. He is the cutest little thing. I will try to get a picture and post. Would love input on how old he might be. His tail is getting fluffy, but he’s pretty little.

[newtosquirrels]

316422

[HRT4SQRLS]

What a precious baby? I would say about 7 weeks old. :grin2

[newtosquirrels]

You estimated at 7 weeks old, but first day I had this little guy he weighed only 88 grams. Isn’t that really small for that age?? He is now up to 92 grams but is now refusing to eat. When I got him I know he had some sort of mouth injury because he had blood coming from his nose and mouth. It appears his front two teeth may be broken off. He makes a really strange sound in his mouth almost as is he is chewing something but there is nothing there. Maybe like he is trying to swallow saliva or some sort of fluid? I am really worried about him. He is so tiny and now that he is refusing to eat I am not sure what to do for him. Any advice please? I haven’t been able to find any rehabbers in this area that will call me back.