9-10 Week Old Fox Squirrel Mystery

[kat.new]

Hello!

My mentor and I have found ourselves with a possible 9-10 week old Fox Squirrel. I say possible because it is missing a lot of the milestones of a squirrel that age. First, the top teeth have just started poking through, bottom teeth are fine. Second, this babe is very uncoordinated. By this age, most of my previous squirrels were jumping and climbing and being, well, squirrely. This one is not. When it walks on a flat surface its back feet make a thudding sound (think angry skunk or a hopping rabbit). Back feet will move separately so it's not actually hopping. Spatial awareness is another concern. It can't seem to judge the space between the bars and where to put its paws to grab the next bar, or in the picture attached, the cage has shelves for climbing purposes and to put food/water bowls in. In the process of walking past it, the gap between the edge of the shelf and the water bowl was too narrow. She fell off the shelf (10-inch drop at most). Lastly, she cries like looking for a parent and seems to be stargazing.

We're at a loss. Being in Michigan and our never-ending winter, the babies should be maybe 4 weeks old at this point, if that old. Is it possible that somehow a squirrel got pregnant in December? Could this Fox Squirrel be a dwarf squirrel? Any suggestions on what to do next?

Age: 9-10 weeks
Weight 225g
Found: Finder's backyard

Thank you!!!

321377

[Mel1959]

That baby does not look well. What are you feeding it and how often? It could be a failure to thrive baby or a runt. It may need extra time and attention till it has a chance to catch up. It could also be a dwarf, but this picture doesn’t show dwarf characteristics to me.

Are there any clicking noises coming from its chest? Is it eating ok? Are you still providing a heating pad for it? Treat it based on its size and not on its presumed age and provide those things that it’s size indicates.

If you need someone to take it I can reach out to a friend who has many resources in Michigan that can help?

[kat.new]

Babe just arrived to me tonight, about 4 hours ago. Willingly took 3cc of unflavored pedialyte after about 30 minutes of quiet time. Waited another 3 hours (Pedialyte to pass through) and attempted FV 20/50. She lapped about 3 drops from the nipple then curled into a little ball and started twitching. She is on a heating pad set to low but there is a fear that if she gets too warm she might not move. No clicking in chest, no desire to eat. She just wants to sleep.
I checked on her a little bit ago and her mouth is pale. Anemic? Poison? She had some mustard colored poops but could just be the stress of transport?

[Mel1959]

Was she having a seizure? If you suspect that you should put a small drop of honey, molasses or corn syrup in her mouth. Sometimes seizures can be from low blood sugar. You might need to hydrate more than just once before feeding.

[Spanky]

Babe just arrived to me tonight, about 4 hours ago. Willingly took 3cc of unflavored pedialyte after about 30 minutes of quiet time. Waited another 3 hours (Pedialyte to pass through) and attempted FV 20/50. She lapped about 3 drops from the nipple then curled into a little ball and started twitching. She is on a heating pad set to low but there is a fear that if she gets too warm she might not move. No clicking in chest, no desire to eat. She just wants to sleep.
I checked on her a little bit ago and her mouth is pale. Anemic? Poison? She had some mustard colored poops but could just be the stress of transport?

The mustard colored poop suggests someone (human) has been feeding her because it would be dark were it squirrel mother's milk.

If that is correct, how long has the original finder / feeder had her? What was she being fed? Very good chance this is poor nutrition if someone had her before you for nay length of time... hopefully providing the proper formula, the proper amounts along with the right rodent blocks ( and later veggies) she'll turn around...

[island rehabber]

Hydrate. Then hydrate again.

Dehydration causes lack of appetite or thirst.....which equals more dehydration.....which equals death. A baby who won't eat is most likely dehydrated.

[kat.new]

We made some serious progress today. She is definitely more perky today than she was last night, honestly didn't think she would make it to morning. She aggressively nibbled on a squirrel block then proceeded to sleep for at least 3 hours. She's exhausted. I treated her with Revolution for the fleas that she has (surprise!) and offered more formula, no interest whatsoever. She has her water which she proceeded to climb over and get her front paws wet. Aside from squirrel blocks and the formula she's refusing, what else can I give her at this point? I have yet to have a squirrel refuse formula.

[Tuff]

We made some serious progress today. She is definitely more perky today than she was last night, honestly didn't think she would make it to morning. She aggressively nibbled on a squirrel block then proceeded to sleep for at least 3 hours. She's exhausted. I treated her with Revolution for the fleas that she has (surprise!) and offered more formula, no interest whatsoever. She has her water which she proceeded to climb over and get her front paws wet. Aside from squirrel blocks and the formula she's refusing, what else can I give her at this point? I have yet to have a squirrel refuse formula.

How long did you hydrate her? I warmed hydration fluid just like i would formula and offer that with a syringe and nipple. Is your formula to hot, to cold, they are super sensitive to temp of formula. Some babies just aren’t going to go to the water bowl and lap it up. Also I would take a bit of honey on the nipple rub that gently on the lips and let’s see if that gets it going. That baby needs nutrition…get it completely hydrated or that baby isn’t going to make it. I would partner with an experienced rehabbed also. These folks can help you with that. It promise you it is worth its weight in gold.

[Mel1959]

Tuff is right…that baby needs nutrition. I would continue to hydrate even if it’s drop by drop. If it’s dehydrated it won’t eat. Sometimes it takes awhile for a baby to realize that the formula is tasty and to drink it. You have to keep trying….you can’t just let it decide what it needs because it doesn’t know.

Is the formula mixed full strength? Is it hot enough? Have you tried using some honey on the nipple or sweetening the formula just a tad? Have you tried adding a little full fat vanilla yogurt to the formula? You need to keep at it until this baby is eagerly drinking…..alternate between hydration and formula every couple of hours.

I just worked with someone who had a similar situation with a Fox baby and the baby died because she thought she couldn’t offer food any sooner than 3-4 hours apart. When a baby is critical you have to take more drastic measures then standard procedure.

[kat.new]

Hi all!

I apologize for the delayed response! Tinkerbell is doing great! I spoke to an rehabber who has more experience with Fox Squirrels and got a better idea of what I was working with. Since then we were able to get some formula into her on the evening of March 27th and has been improving daily. She is currently eating 12.5cc every 4-5 hours (based on weight and age) and has gained almost 40grams since then. This morning she was 252g and will get another weigh-in tomorrow morning like every morning thus far. Thank you to those who commented, I appreciate you!