Need Help Immediately

[DannySkeel]

My name is Danny and about two days ago I fond that my cat had broken the leg of a young squirrel. I put him in a cage with water and peanut butter but I need to find someone who knows how to care for these creatures. Please help.

[hazel]

Hi:Welcome :Welcome

I'll give you a minute to edit your post. You should remove your phone number now!

I'll be back on in a minute.

[DannySkeel]

The squirrel does not have a bushy tail. it is about 2-3 inches long. His eyes are open if I wake him up other than that it just sleeps

[DannySkeel]

My name is Danny and about two days ago I fond that my cat had broken the leg of a young squirrel. I put him in a cage with water and peanut butter but I need to find someone who knows how to care for these creatures. Please help. Need immediatly . Thanks.

[DannySkeel]

how do i remove my number

[hazel]

Sorry it took me a minute toget back on - my computer had some sort of a spasm.

If you look at your first post, is there a EDIT button in the lower right hand corner of the post? It's only there for a while so it may be too late. Try.

[DannySkeel]

no

[DannySkeel]

thanx

[DannySkeel]

do i need to keep refreshing or will it add with out that

[Abacat]

Danny, How is the squirrel? Alert? Bleeding Badly? Please describe...
What part of NC is Greensboro?

[DannySkeel]

no not bleeding at all

[DannySkeel]

only alert if I touch him

[hazel]

Don't worry, an administrator can remover it in the morning. Nice to talk to you on the phone :) !

OK, here are some VERY IMPORTANT Questions. You NEED to answer them ALL one by one. (When you're writing your reply, scroll way down the page and you'll see the previous posts. Here goes:

1. Really. WHEN did you take the squirrel in?

2. Is it eating and drinking?

3. Do you have it on a heat source (heating pad, hot water bottle etc)

4. Is the bone sticking out of the skin? If not, why do you think it's broken?

5. Does it have any wounds in it's skin?

6. How does it seem to be feeling? More or less active now?

7. Pinch an area of skin on the baby's upper back and pull the skin up and
away from the body. Let go of the skin to let it drop back into place.
Does it go right back into place or does it take a second or two?


Don't worry...I'm not going anywhere. The more info you give us, the more we can help you.

[DannySkeel]

I took it in yesterday

[DannySkeel]

I dont think it is eating or drinking.

[DannySkeel]

not on heat source.

[DannySkeel]

He wont move or doesn't like to move his front right paw.

[DannySkeel]

no wound and the bone isn't stickng out

[DannySkeel]

it is a little more active but not much and the skin goes right back when i pinch it

[Abacat]

Danny, Keep baby warm and in a dark, quiet area...In a prewarmed container, say with a heating pad...with some fleece or t-shirts ontop the heating pad, set on LOW.
Any punctures that you can see? What part of NC is greensboro?

[DannySkeel]

ok

[DannySkeel]

now what

[DannySkeel]

greensboro is central

[DannySkeel]

its 4:30 in the morning I need to go to bed soon. Please hurry

[hazel]

How will you be warming the baby? Heating pad or what?

Are you able to get to a convenience store, drug or grocery store tonight?

[DannySkeel]

I put the heater on in the room. No the stores are closed and I covered the cage in blanckets

[hazel]

You better believe that I know it's late. I'm not going to fool you. This won't be quick or easy. Please answer the questions.

While you're waiting for replies, the last forum in this ''Help Needed'' section is Rehabber locations. There is a complete list of wildlife rehabilitators there, by state.

[Abacat]

For warmth, you can fill a rubber glove with hot water and put it under a cloth, next to him...or a soda bottle with hot water......or make him a "rice buddy": take a sock, fill it with uncooked rice or lentils (someone tried this yesterday and it worked great with lentils!) and microwave for about 45 seconds. Place it near the squirrel so it feels like another warm body to him and cover him up.

Hydration: best thing is if you can get to store for some Pedialyte -- they loved the flavored kind especially. If not, Gatorade is ok for short term. If you don't have access to that either, there is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte on here somewhere, I just have to find it. the best thing to feed him with is a 1cc or 3cc syringe with no needle. In the morning you;ll be able to get all this stuff at a pet supply, but I'm not sure what you have on hand now?

I copied this from a post Island rehabber made

[DannySkeel]

I also lined the cage with old sweat pants so it would be soft and the heat is baseboard so it can get warm in there

[DannySkeel]

ok

[Abacat]

North Carolina, Central

North Carolina, Central region (Aberdeen)..... 910-281-3952

Dharlene Moore, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
dmoore1078@nc.rr.com
Wildlife Species: My primary focus is squirrels and rabbits
Comments: *please* do NOT feed animals before consulting a rehabber
North Carolina, Central region, Cabarrus County (Concord)..... 704-721-0486

Katherine (KC) Hough, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
khough@carolina.rr.com
Wildlife Species: will take any small mammal, specialize in most small mammals
Limitations: will take snakes but non-poisonous
North Carolina, Central region, Carteret County..... 252-240-1200

Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter (OWLS)
North Carolina, Central region (Charlotte)..... 704-599-4782

Brenda J. Crawford, ARC - Animal Rehabilitators of the Carolinas
BCRAWFORDZ@aol.com
Wildlife Species: opossums
North Carolina, Central region (Charlotte)..... 704-875-6521

Betty O'Leary, Carolina Raptor Center (staff member)
Wildlife Species: raptors
North Carolina, Central region (Clemmons)..... 336-766-3137

Glenda Combs, Wildlife Rehab, Inc.
GC1008@AOL.COM
Wildlife Species: squirrels, grounhogs, mammals, waterfowl
North Carolina, Central region (Graham)..... 919-304-2337

Stacy Hughes, Animal Protection Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
zoogirl17@hotmail.com
Wildlife Species: small mammals ONLY
Comments: number after business hours: 336-228-6965
North Carolina, Central region (Greensboro)..... 910-698-0188

Alice Johnston, Wildlife Care, Inc.
taz@spyder.net
Wildlife Species: squirrels and rabbits
North Carolina, Central region, Lee County (Sanford)..... 919-776-4596

Anne Mathis, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
ylisabet@alltel.net
Wildlife Species: raptors only
Comments: volunteer Carolina Raptor Center, Wildlife Rescue Center
North Carolina, Central region, Lincoln County (Denver)..... 704-489-1322

Lessie Davis, Wild Care, Inc.
ldavistitmouse@aol.com
Wildlife Species: small insectivores and passerines, Southern flying squirrels, bats,
bandaging and splinting for small birds
Comments: 2000 admisions/yr.
North Carolina, Central region, Mecklenburg/Union/Gaston Counties..... 704-552-2329

Animal Rehabilitators of the Carolinas (ARC)
Specialty: Mammals, public education, fundraising
Comments: call 7am-9pm daily, voice mail
North Carolina, Central region (Chapel Hill)..... 919-572-9453 or 919-572-WILD

Cheryl Hoggard, DVM, Piedmont Wildlife Center
Wildlife Species: songbirds, small mammals, raptors, reptiles, and waterfowl
Comments: Surgery facilities on site.
North Carolina, Central region, Orange County (Chapel Hill)..... 919-619-0776

Kindra (Executive Director), CLAWS, Inc.
mrsclaws@nc-claws.org
Wildlife Species: Small Mammals and Deer
Comments: We also do exotic animal rescue
North Carolina, Central region (Pittsboro)..... 919-933-8965

Toni Constant (volunteer), Falicite' Latene Wildlife sanctuary
Wildlife Species: small mammals only
Specialty: squirrels, oppossums, raccoons
North Carolina, Central region (Randolph)..... 336-879-7644

Lori Sarosi (volunteer wildlife rehabber), Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
LSarosi@aol.com
Wildlife Species: at this time no deer, bear, fox, racoons, or bats
Comments: located at the N.C. Zoo
North Carolina, Central region (Snow Camp)..... 336-376-8602

Dana Sims, Kindred Spirits Wildlife Center
danasims@sprynet.com
Wildlife Species: all species native to North Carolina
North Carolina, Central region (Southern Pines)..... 910-695-2672

Julie Starling, Wemouth Nature Preserve
starling@pinehurst.net
Wildlife Species: squirrels
North Carolina, Central region (Statesville)..... 704-546-2703

Cynthia Dickerson, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
Wildlife Species: Raptors (also licensed/practicing falconer)
North Carolina, Central region (Trinity)..... 336-434-3811

Cheryl L. Martin, Martin Wildlife Preserve
cherylmartin@northstate.net
Wildlife Species: mammals, songbirds, raptors
North Carolina, Central region, Wake County (Knightdale)..... 919-266-7363

Lynn Sykes, Wildlife Welfare, Inc.
Evenflo@Rocketmail.com
Wildlife Species: small mammals
North Carolina, Central region, Wake County (Raleigh)..... (919)219-3793

Dee Glazier, state permit, sub-permitee federal
deeglazier@aol.com
Wildlife Species: Small mammals and birds
Specialties: Opossums
Comments: If you think the animal is seriously injured in any way, please contact a Vet first. Once cleared
by them I can begin to rehabilitate.
North Carolina, Central region, Wake County (Raleigh)..... (919)303-1860

Steven Stone (executive director), American Wildlife Refuge
awrefuge@aol.com
Wildlife Species: birds of prey only
Comments: We also have state and federal educational permits so we
can take care of permanently injured birds as well.
North Carolina, Central region, Wake County (Raleigh)..... 919-387-1662 (emergency line)

Wildlife Welfare, Inc.
wildlifewelfare@lycos.com
North Carolina, Central region (Winston-Salem)..... 336-765-0858

Carla Johnson, Wildlife Rehab Inc.
cmjohnso@wfubmc.edu
Wildlife Species: raptors, wildlife education/programs
North Carolina, Central region (Winston-Salem)..... 336-922-1066

Tom Knight, > Wildlife Rehab, Inc.
Tknight@triad.rr.com
Wildlife Species: Mammals

[hazel]

No all night drug store, 7-11, White Hen or Quickie Mart?

Heat in the room isn't enough. If you don't have a heating pad, do you have any of the following:

1. Dry, uncooked rice, an old, clean sock and a microwave?

2. A hot water bottle?

3. An empty jar with a tight-fitting lid and water?

Also, do you have salt and sugar? A syringe or an eye dropper?

[Abacat]

Danny are any of these close to you? Don't answer online which, just try them...you can PM me if you want or if you are speaking with Hazel OK...

[DannySkeel]

yes

[DannySkeel]

it is baseboard heat so I could get the cage close

[DannySkeel]

The greensboro one is a wrong number

[Abacat]

Homeade Pedialyte

1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart warm water

Mix all ingred in warm water....store in refrigerator

Here's another:

mix water, salt and karo syrup (mostly water, a little salt and a little karo syrup to sweeten it a LITTLE)...
copied from Gamma's Baby

[DannySkeel]

ok

[hazel]

Danny, what ingredients do you have and do you have a syringe or an eye dropper?

What method are you going to use to warm the baby?


AND VERY IMPORTANT: DON'T feed the baby anything until it has been warmed up. When you hold it it should feel toasty warm, not the same or cooler than your skin. The baby can't digest anything unless it's warm enough.

[DannySkeel]

I am using the sock and the heater. I made the pedialite but I have no suringes or anything

[DannySkeel]

i am using a ziplock bag with a pin size whole in it

[DannySkeel]

but the baby wont eat any pedialite

[Abacat]

You can try dipping a clean kitchen towel ( twist it abit to come to a point) in the solution and put by babies mouth...

[hazel]

WAIT! Is the baby warm enough? Does it feel WARMER than your skin??

[DannySkeel]

yes it is warm

[DannySkeel]

should I pick it up to feed him

[Abacat]

Oh sorry, thought he said he had sock with a heater...Yes, make sure baby is warm First...

[hazel]

GOOD!

Now, do you have any medication in the house that has an eye dropper in it?

If so, tell me what it was in before you use it!

YES, pick it up to feed it, hold it in an upright position....stomach down, back up. In other words DON"T feed it on it's back like a human baby. Hold it close to your body or on a table - not out in space - it scares them.

The baby needs to get a DROP AT A TIME! swallowing between each drop or it will inhale the liquid and get pneumonia!

[Abacat]

He could have internal injuries, I would not try picking him up, Hazel?? what would you say?

[DannySkeel]

no medicine sorry

[DannySkeel]

ok

[hazel]

Danny, please don't just type ''OK'' in a post. Tell us what you're saying OK, yes or no to! OK?

Yes, I think you should pick the baby up. If it's too fragile to be picked up, it won't make it anyway, unfortunately. And there's not much you can do to care for a baby squirrel that doesn't involve picking it up.

Be gentle, OK Danny?

Sometimes a baby squirrels head moves around too much to feed it. If that happens, hold it's head still between your thumb and index finger.

[DannySkeel]

he ate a little but I don't think he wants anymore

[DannySkeel]

he became a little more alert too

[DannySkeel]

should i let him sleep now

[DannySkeel]

I need to go to sleep now so goodbye

[hazel]

What made you think he had enough?

[DannySkeel]

he stop trying to eat

[DannySkeel]

he was taking it a drop at a time and then he quit

[DannySkeel]

I need to go to sleep now

[hazel]

Ok, Danny.

Please just tell me one thing. How are you keeping it warm while you sleep?

Rice sock? Hot water bottle?

[DannySkeel]

he ate around ten drops tho

[DannySkeel]

rice sock

[hazel]

OK, good!

When are you getting up and do you have to go anywhere? Work, school?

[DannySkeel]

I'll be back tomorrow so if you can think of anything to else to do just post it and I will get it tomarrow. Thanks for the help you are great people and the baby thanks you too.

[DannySkeel]

I am heading to Myrtle Beach but I will have my dad come over and do what you told me and I will give him the website and I will check back in the morning. I will get up around 11:00 I will set an alarm to check on the baby in a couple of hours.

[DannySkeel]

I will re heat the sock when the alarm goes off

[hazel]

Good night Danny and you're:Welcome .

[DannySkeel]

thanks

[Abacat]

Good night Danny. Thanks for helping the baby and :Welcome to TSB...

[squirrelfriend]

Hello, I just got home from work and saw this. For starters your baby needs a heating pad (the same kind that you would use for your back) set on low under half of the cage only. It needs to be able to get off of the heat when ever it gets too warm.

I don't know what your plan is with this guy, if you are going to raise him or you are taking him to a rehabber. IF you are not taking him to a rehabber follow the info bellow.

Esbilac puppy formula. You can buy already prepared or powder. THe powder will last longer because you can mix it as you need it.

You can use a regular eye dropper to feed it with. You can get these cheaply at the drug store. Don't use any that have been used for anything else that might be toxic. WHen using an eyedropper for feeding you must feed them very slowly. Don't let them suck it all down quickly. If they do they could asperate themselves. You will notice this when milk starts to come out their nose. They could end up with pnumonia if this happens.

Peanuts and peanutbutter are not the best thing for your squirrel. You can buy nut betters of other kinds of nuts such as almond butter, almond butter, or hazelnut butter.

Leafy greens are very good for squirrels becasue of their calcium content. Ice berg lettuce is not one of them. One of the main concerns with squirrel nutrition is calcium. they can suffer from Metabolic Bone disease if they do not get the proper amount. MBD can bring on seizures, going down in the back legs, paralisis, disfigurement of the bones and death.

Sunshine or a FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT are essential for getting vitamin D. Without vitamin D they can not absorb the calcium.

fruits and vegies and nuts are what an adult squirrels diet consists of.

[hazel]

Danny, I hope you'll see this before you leave.

Unless you've found a rehabber, you need to go do some baby shopping while you're out!

Pet supply store: Esbilac Milk Replacer for Puppies, powdered form
if $ isn't too tight, ask for Benebac (it's a probiotic)


Drug Store: ask a pharmacist for a couple of 1 cc dosing syringes
consider buying a heating pad (NO auto shut-off)

Hopefully you've fed the baby a couple more times before you leave. Be sure that he and his food are both warm! Tell your Dad we're here to help him and be sure he knows to post in THIS thread.

When will you be home later?

What instrument(s) do you play?

[Buddy'sMom]

GREAT JOB, Danny, Hazel and Abacat working through the night for this baby!! :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

Danny, you've done very well so far, but it sounds as though you are wanting to find a rehabber who will be able to provide all the things (and time!) this little one will need before it's old enough to go free. If you have any trouble locating one in your area, let us know -- our rehabbers often have additional lists and resources to check to find someone.

In the meantime, keep coming back here and ask all the questions you want -- you are getting great advice and help!

:grouphug

[hazel]

Thanks BM!:thumbsup

Danny, before you leave, would you please bring the baby to a good light source and check it carefully for wounds? If he was bitten by a cat hard enough to break a bone there may be small puncture wounds in his skin. If there are, we need to know that as soon as possible. Compare the right and left hands, arms and shoulders. Can you find a swollen area on the arm you think is injured? If there are no bite wounds, he could have injured himself by falling and then maybe the cat just picked him up....hope that's the case.

[Abacat]

Danny or Danny's Dad, important for baby:

1. Keep him warm in a dark, quiet place.

2. If baby is alert, ok to rehydrate with warm rehydration solution (post#28 & #37 for homemade recipe.) If baby is not responsive do not force rehydration liquids,he would need to have fluids SQ, need a vet/rehabber ASAP. (But guessing by your description, the skin returned immediately, so probably not all that dehydrated.)Everything I mentioned for rehydration needs to be given orally, not SQ, which is why I said if baby is not responsive seek vet/rehabber ASAP.

3. Post #20 about the punctures, see any? (Hazel mentioned this too), If the skin was broken (by cat bite) there's a chance the baby would need antibiotics, you'd need to get him to a vet/rehabber ASAP for proper treatment.

4. If none of the bad things(unresponsive or cat bite) above are obvious, and you decide to take care of the baby until his release, lots (shopping lists of supplies needed) to consider there...BUT we are here for you, to help you every step of the way...:D

5. PLEASE keep us posted with your decision and again :thankyou and :Welcome

Thanks Buddy's Mom :)

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Here's another rehabber in Greensboro (336)282-3584. This baby is going to require medication and some time consuming attention, so probably should go to a rehabber. Greensboro is a hike from Atlanta, but I can meet you mid-way if it comes to that. I think that we could locate somebody closer to you, though.

[hazel]

Hmmmmm. Danny should have gotten up 90 minutes ago!

................................Danny???

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

No word on the baby?

[Abacat]

He was online around 11:00, but didn't post. Probably checking out his options... :dono Or perhaps it was Danny's dad?
Hope all is okay with Baby squirrely...

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Me too. Maybe Danny will bring us up to date later.

[Abacat]

Danny, or Danny's Dad...How's the squirrel doing? Any news? Please let us know so we don't worry about the little guy...Thanks. Just know we're here to help you...

[Abacat]

Hazel, Have you heard from Danny?

[hazel]

Not a word since Danny went to bed that first night. :shakehead