New here, baby squirrel

[JenJen]

Hello, My fiance came home today with a baby squirrel. He doesn't have teeth yet, but he can hold food on his own and his eyes are open.

I gave him a bath right when he came into my house because he had a TON of fleas.

I am wondering if I should offer him kitten milk (they didnt have puppy milk at BOTH the places my fiance tried to go to) or if I should just set some seed mix and dried fruits in the cage we set up for him?

We don't intend on keeping him because we know its illegal to do so in the state of Illinois, but I don't know where to find a rehab place(I'm in plainfield). I tried looking before when I found a baby rabbit, with no luck. If anyone could help me, it'd be greatly appreciated, thank you!

[4skwerlz]

Hi JenJen,
Thank you so much for caring for this orphan squirrel. How did your fiance end up with him? A rehabber will be online shortly, in the meantime, there are a few things you need to do:


Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)

Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds (“rice buddy”). Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. Find a Box or Container
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not in the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. Or use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above.
Note: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

This should get you started.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

You may want to try Animals for Awareness in Palos Park. I think that's about 20 miles from you, and they take calls at night. They also take squirrels. They may know of somebody closer to you. 708-361-9330 - animalsforawareness.org.

[thundersquirrel]

hey jen jen, have you found a rehabber yet? oh and :Welcome to the board!

washing unfortunately doesn't get rid of fleas. if you can't get him to a rehabber tonight, you should buy a small bottle of kitten flea spray. if you spray this on a paper towel and then gently wipe him down, it should kill most of the fleas by tomorrow. just avoid his eyes, mouth, and genitals.

give him a white blanket/fleece/threadless t-shirt to be in, because then you can locate the fleas easier, and they are actually attracted to white surfaces.

the key is to keep him warm and hydrated. do not feed with kitten milk- he can live for one night without food, hopefully you can find the proper stuff (or a rehabber).

hydration can be offered in a syringe or dropper, and you should give him warm pedialyte. see if he likes it, just remember to feed verrrry slowly so he doesn't aspirate.

please keep us updated! do you need more rehabber contacts?

[JenJen]

Thanks so much for the replies! He is in one of my pouches that I use for my sugar gliders (it is clean) He has been sleeping since after the bath. I have put food and water in his cage. He is pooping and peeing on his own. My fiance said they gave him bread earlier and that he held it in his hands and ate it on his own. I put in some mixed unsalted nuts and some dried fruits.

I found a place about 25 mins from my work. I'm going to have to bring him to work tomorrow and try to drive to the rehabber tomorrow during my work hours. Hopefully I have a long enough break to do this.

[Buddy'sMom]

:Welcome and thanks to you and your fiance for rescuing him, giving him a safe and comfy home for the night and finding a rehabber for him! :thumbsup He is a very lucky squirrel to have found his way to you! :grouphug