First Time Squirrel Mommy

[caocholta]

Yesterday around noon I brought my dogs in so I could go to my afternoon classes when i got a big surprise. One of my dogs, Zooks, comes walking in very proudly holding onto this baby squirrel. I remaining calm cool and collected start shrieking put it down, knock it off, gimme it, and anything else you can think of. Unfortunately that baby did not make it.

I didn't think much of it, and I put all the dogs into their crates, or "homes" as I like to call it. Well when I finally made it back form my classes it was around 5 pm and I once again let the dogs out. To my dismay when it was around 7 or 8 and it was time to let them back in for their dinner once again Zooks comes walking up with a squirrel in his mouth.

Luckily this one is unharmed. It seems to be doing ok. I have spent many hours on google researching care for it and finally stumbled upon this forum.

All I have on hand is KMR (kitten milk replacer). Everything I have read has recommended an Esbilac and heavy cream concoction. Should I run out tomorrow and buy some or is KMR sufficient? And if I do switch should I gradually change formulas or just do I complete switch at once? I know when I've hand raised kittens and puppies I had to gradually switch formulas whenever I wanted to change them.

My brother was the one who started taking of the squirrel and he was really under feeding it and could not get it to pee or poop. I didn't realize it until this afternoon, and ever since then I have assumed the responsibility of taking care of the squirrel. The poop looked good, it was a nice rich color, solid, not liquidy. The pee was a little yellower than I would have liked, but because she (I'm assuming it is a she) was underfed it didn't worry me. I ran out to the corner store and bought some pedialyte. I have been giving it 2 ccs of pedialyte every four hours and 2 ccs of formula every fours but in between the pedialyte. Like every two hours she's been getting something. She has definitely rehydrated now and I am cutting back on the amount of pedialyte I am giving her.

Is it normal for the to screach or scream when you are trying to feed them? It is the only time she makes any noise what so ever. It is kind of ear piercing and I didn't know if it was normal or not.

Oh yeah I believe she is 3-4 weeks old. She was close lying fur on her entire body, has her bottom teeth (I think they are called incisors) and her eyes aren't open, not even beginning to crack. She is nice and pick on her gums and pads. I would like to trim her nails, but I'm not sure if that is ok to do or not.

Any tips or suggestions you have would be appreciated. Like I mentioned before I have hand raised litters of cats and dogs, bunny rabbits, and newly hatched turtles that where running around on the highway. A squirrel is a new one for me and knowing that every animal has different needs, I just want to make sure I am satisfying all their needs.

Logan

Gadzook's Petits
http://www.gadzook.org

[Mars]

Yesterday around noon I brought my dogs in so I could go to my afternoon classes when i got a big surprise. One of my dogs, Zooks, comes walking in very proudly holding onto this baby squirrel. I remaining calm cool and collected start shrieking put it down, knock it off, gimme it, and anything else you can think of. Unfortunately that baby did not make it.

I didn't think much of it, and I put all the dogs into their crates, or "homes" as I like to call it. Well when I finally made it back form my classes it was around 5 pm and I once again let the dogs out. To my dismay when it was around 7 or 8 and it was time to let them back in for their dinner once again Zooks comes walking up with a squirrel in his mouth.

Luckily this one is unharmed. It seems to be doing ok. I have spent many hours on google researching care for it and finally stumbled upon this forum.

All I have on hand is KMR (kitten milk replacer). Everything I have read has recommended an Esbilac and heavy cream concoction. Should I run out tomorrow and buy some or is KMR sufficient? And if I do switch should I gradually change formulas or just do I complete switch at once? I know when I've hand raised kittens and puppies I had to gradually switch formulas whenever I wanted to change them. Every switch must be done gradually. Ussually we go to pedilyte for several feeding to flush the system and then gradually bring the baby up onto formula over several days. KMR is not the best choice if a formula and I would recommend just using pedilyte until you can pick up some Esbilac in the morning. :D

My brother was the one who started taking of the squirrel and he was really under feeding it and could not get it to pee or poop. I didn't realize it until this afternoon, and ever since then I have assumed the responsibility of taking care of the squirrel. The poop looked good, it was a nice rich color, solid, not liquidy. The pee was a little yellower than I would have liked, but because she (I'm assuming it is a she) was underfed it didn't worry me. I ran out to the corner store and bought some pedialyte. I have been giving it 2 ccs of pedialyte every four hours and 2 ccs of formula every fours but in between the pedialyte. Like every two hours she's been getting something. She has definitely rehydrated now and I am cutting back on the amount of pedialyte I am giving her.

Is it normal for the to screach or scream when you are trying to feed them? It is the only time she makes any noise what so ever. It is kind of ear piercing and I didn't know if it was normal or not. Is she doing this while you are feeding her or while she waiting to be fed?? This is an alarm call. I means I'm hungery or I'm cold or I'm scared. MOMMY !!!!

Oh yeah I believe she is 3-4 weeks old. She was close lying fur on her entire body, has her bottom teeth (I think they are called incisors) and her eyes aren't open, not even beginning to crack. She is nice and pick on her gums and pads. I would like to trim her nails, but I'm not sure if that is ok to do or not. She still needs to be on aheat source 24/7 at this age.

Any tips or suggestions you have would be appreciated. Like I mentioned before I have hand raised litters of cats and dogs, bunny rabbits, and newly hatched turtles that where running around on the highway. A squirrel is a new one for me and knowing that every animal has different needs, I just want to make sure I am satisfying all their needs.

Logan

Gadzook's Petits
http://www.gadzook.org


:wave123 :Welcome :wave123

Very glad to have you with us. You sound like you have very good control of the situation. :) We feed by the 5% rule that is 5% of the baby's body weight in grams = #cc's per feeding. A gram scale is your best tool for keeping track of babies needs and health. You can find one at Walmart in the kitchen gadgets for a good price. :D

[thundersquirrel]

wow, puppies and kittens! i sure would love to raise some of those too! :Welcome

as said, the heat source is a must. most people use a reliable heating pad set on low at all times with no automatic shut off. i use a snugglesafe- a round disk meant for cats, you heat it in the microwave and it stays warm all night. there's also heat lamps, but they aren't preferred.

not sure if it's the same for cats and dogs, but baby squirrels need genital stimulation to go potty. i'm glad you've kept track of her poops; clearly you know a good deal!

i wouldn't trim her nails, unless you plan to raise her as a pet. squirrels use their nails to climb and jump and survive, basically. she needs to be able to do all that to get ready for the great outdoors.

hope all is well, and remember that NO question is too stupid to ask! hope to see you back on tomorrow. :) :thumbsup :wave123

[nenaj1]

Try to follow your dog and check to see if maybe there are other babies lying around?

[caocholta]

Gammas Baby:

Yes the little one is on a heating pad. It is on low and only under half the cage incase it gets too warm. I'm using Carefresh Original bedding with a stuffed toy around the squirrel's size so it has something to "cuddle". I'm feeding the baby with a syringe. I tried it with a nipple on the end, but she takes it better without the nipple. Right now I am using a large Critter Cage. When she begins to become more mobile I'll put her in a larger glass aquarium with a screen lid and then when she really begins to become active I have an old bird cage with branches and perches she can go in.

Mars:

Alright I'm feeding her just the pedilyte and I'm running out now to get the Esbilac. She makes the screeching noise only when I'm feeding her. She takes the food, but every now and then will start this screaming as if saying this isn't Momma's teats. Like I said to Gamma she has a heating pad, and when she is not in her cage she is inbetween my boobies to keep her warm lol. I just weighed her and she came in at 85 grams. I don't know if that is good or not. She looks a lot better now than she did 24 hours ago.

Thundersquirrel:

Yeah puppies and kittens. I'd say one squirrel is much easier than 8 puppies lol. Yup just like squirrels, puppies, kittens, and even bunnies need to be stimulated to go potty.

Nenaj1:

I haven't been able to find anymore squirrels. I have a feeling two got pushed out of the nest because there was not enough room and with the dogs an adult squirrel is not stupid enough to come down to rescue her babies. At least I'm hoping they were just pushed out of the nest. If not that means the foxes and coyotes got to the others before I could.

She is adorable and I want to make sure everything is done right for her.

I didn't know what her chances of ever being released back into the wild. Nor do I know how good of a pet do the make. I've heard stories about training your squirrels...

[babedizzle]

:Welcome You're in the right hands here at TSB, everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable. I found a squirrel about two to three weeks ago and the members of this forum helped me a lot with all of my questions.

It sounds like you're doing everything right thus far. Have you switched over to the Esbilac yet? It is definitely the better choice of formula.

Do you plan to keep this squirrel and raise it, or are you going to give it to a licensed rehabber? The reason I ask is because in most of the 50 states it is illegal to have a squirrel as a pet, so if you're planning on keeping it, be careful who you tell.

Also, it's good that you have a bird cage on hand because once your furr baby gets a little older he will love it, mine does!

[caocholta]

I'm beginning the process of becoming a wildlife rehabber because everyone winds up dropping ff their "rescues" on my doorstep.

I have a feeling I'll probably wind up keeping the squirrel. But who knows. I'd hate to release it and then have her come back to my door (I've heard stories of that happening) and my dogs get her. All but one of my five dogs would actually intentionally harm it.

I have a screened in porch that I'm sure she'll love once she is old enough :D

Thanks everyone for your help and yes I did get the Esbilac.