Otto
09-06-2022, 01:50 PM
Hello All,
I am awaiting a call back from one or more of the several rehabbers with whom I left messages. Here's how it went:
Three days ago, while letting my chickens out, I noticed a baby red squirrel, asleep, in the crux of a large maple, about a foot off the ground. It struck me as odd. He seemed way too small. I went inside for about an hour and upon checking again, found he was still there. He mad a feeble attempt at climbing the tree, but appeared to run out of gas after ascending about two feet. He seemed to be having difficulty breathing. I decided he needed help.
I took him inside and made a shoe box bed for him. Then I went online and started reading! A lot!
I realized dehydration was likely, and made a homemade Pedialyte, administered with a 4cc syringe we happened to have. He drank it greedily. Then he curled up and went to sleep. In the meantime it became clear through my hasty research that he should be out waiting for his mother. So I put the box next to the tree where I found him and watched through my window. He came out on his own through the top and slowly made his way up the tree. I could here him barking a little and I thought I heard a response. He climbed about 20 feet and stopped on a limb. I thought he should be OK, and mother would get him soon. But I had the nagging question, why was he out in the first place. By this time I had determined he was around 6 weeks old.
So two hours later, I'm back in the yard, walking toward my shed, under the very tree, and that's when I heard the "EEEEEH!!" I had stepped on either the one I had let go, or a sibling that had fallen. The tree is huge. I thought, "That's it. I killed him." He had run about ten feet and I went and got him. He was panting and bleeding from the nose a little. I decided to take him in and make him as comfortable as possible.
He lay breathing strenuously, almost as if he were coughing. I carefully felt all his bones and was surprised that he didn't react in pain. No sign of a break. I kept up with small doses of water solution every few hours. I resigned to the fact that he'd probably not make it through the night.
Next morning, I opened the box-gone! He pushed up the top and got out. I had him in a spare bedroom on the floor, door closed. Then I heard a small huffing and saw the blanket on the bed move. He had climbed up on the bed and got under the covers! I was stunned at the transformation. He was incredibly frisky, and drank the water like a fish. So I headed to TS and grabbed a can of liquid Esbilac. He loves it and is doing great. I set up a chicken brooder with the box inside and a deer antler for teething. He ate avocado last night and tries to nibble walnut pieces, but his teeth are still pretty small.
I want to release him, but am desperate for wisdom from others. Please send any advice, recommendations, etc to a grateful rescuer. We live on 4 plus acres, abutting all forestland.
Thank for what you do!
I am awaiting a call back from one or more of the several rehabbers with whom I left messages. Here's how it went:
Three days ago, while letting my chickens out, I noticed a baby red squirrel, asleep, in the crux of a large maple, about a foot off the ground. It struck me as odd. He seemed way too small. I went inside for about an hour and upon checking again, found he was still there. He mad a feeble attempt at climbing the tree, but appeared to run out of gas after ascending about two feet. He seemed to be having difficulty breathing. I decided he needed help.
I took him inside and made a shoe box bed for him. Then I went online and started reading! A lot!
I realized dehydration was likely, and made a homemade Pedialyte, administered with a 4cc syringe we happened to have. He drank it greedily. Then he curled up and went to sleep. In the meantime it became clear through my hasty research that he should be out waiting for his mother. So I put the box next to the tree where I found him and watched through my window. He came out on his own through the top and slowly made his way up the tree. I could here him barking a little and I thought I heard a response. He climbed about 20 feet and stopped on a limb. I thought he should be OK, and mother would get him soon. But I had the nagging question, why was he out in the first place. By this time I had determined he was around 6 weeks old.
So two hours later, I'm back in the yard, walking toward my shed, under the very tree, and that's when I heard the "EEEEEH!!" I had stepped on either the one I had let go, or a sibling that had fallen. The tree is huge. I thought, "That's it. I killed him." He had run about ten feet and I went and got him. He was panting and bleeding from the nose a little. I decided to take him in and make him as comfortable as possible.
He lay breathing strenuously, almost as if he were coughing. I carefully felt all his bones and was surprised that he didn't react in pain. No sign of a break. I kept up with small doses of water solution every few hours. I resigned to the fact that he'd probably not make it through the night.
Next morning, I opened the box-gone! He pushed up the top and got out. I had him in a spare bedroom on the floor, door closed. Then I heard a small huffing and saw the blanket on the bed move. He had climbed up on the bed and got under the covers! I was stunned at the transformation. He was incredibly frisky, and drank the water like a fish. So I headed to TS and grabbed a can of liquid Esbilac. He loves it and is doing great. I set up a chicken brooder with the box inside and a deer antler for teething. He ate avocado last night and tries to nibble walnut pieces, but his teeth are still pretty small.
I want to release him, but am desperate for wisdom from others. Please send any advice, recommendations, etc to a grateful rescuer. We live on 4 plus acres, abutting all forestland.
Thank for what you do!