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poohshere
09-23-2007, 08:57 PM
i found 3 baby squirrells in my adict i believe the mother was killed 3 days ago in the street, i need to know whats best to feed them there eyes just openedand there teeth are just growing,,,,at the moment im giving them cat milk,,,,,,,,is that ok? with a kitten bottle.......................poohsheremjs

4skwerlz
09-23-2007, 09:14 PM
Below are the basics of first care for baby squirrels. If you still have questions, we are here to help you. Thank you for saving these babies and :Welcome to the Squirrel Board!


Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

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.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. 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. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

3. Decide Who Will Care for the Baby

The Squirrel’s Mother—If the squirrel seems healthy, you might be able to return it to its mother—the best choice. The folks on The Squirrel Board can tell you how to do this.

Rehabber or Vet—If reunion with mom is impossible, the baby will have the best chance to live if you contact an experienced rehabber. The Squirrel Board folks will be happy to help you find someone nearby.

Yourself—If you’re thinking about taking care of the baby yourself, please remember:
--The squirrel will have to be fed every few hours—night and day.
--You will need supplies that will cost at least $250.00.
--If the baby gets worse, it will need emergency vet treatment, which is expensive.
--It is illegal in most states to possess a wild squirrel for any reason.
--Most squirrels eventually turn wild and will have to be released.
--Most squirrels raised by the people who find them die within 2 weeks.

If you still want to raise this baby yourself, the folks on The Squirrel Board are here to help.

If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.


Rehydrating a Baby Squirrel

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

Supplies You Will Need:
--Heating pad without auto shut-off (if you don’t already have one)
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores. You can also order supplies from Chris’ Squirrels and More. (http://www.squirrelsandmore.com)

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:
--1 teaspoon salt
--3 teaspoons sugar
--1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby can be held in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.

How Much Fluid to Feed
Give 1/2 to 1 cc every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. Then give it every 2 hours around the clock. Do not feed Pedialyte for more than 24 hours. It is not a subsitute for formula. Refrigerate Pedialyte after opening. Throw away any open bottles after 3 days.

Check the baby every few hours using the “pinch test” described above. As baby rehydrates, he should “perk up” and become more active. Rehydrate all babies for at least 2 hours before feeding formula or food of any kind. Severely dehydrated babies should be rehydrated for 24 hours before feeding.
Note: If your baby will not take any fluids, he must go to a rehabber immediately or he will die.

Potty Time
A baby that is not fully furred will need help to pee and poo. Normally, the squirrel’s mother will lick the baby’s belly and bottom to stimulate him to go. Before and after feeding, use a warm, damp kleenex, cotton ball, or soft cloth to gently tickle the baby’s genital area. Do this until baby goes. NOTE: A dehydrated baby may not pee or poo until he has had several feedings of Pedialyte.

squirrelsrule&bunniestoo
09-23-2007, 09:18 PM
:Welcome I am so glad you were able to save the little tykes. Have you checked them to see if they are dehydrated? You can pinch their skin (gently) up on their back right between the shoulder blades and see how long it takes it to come back down. If it goes right back within a second or two, they are hydrated, if it takes 3-5 seconds they are dehydrated and will need pedialyte before any milk. If they are not dehydrated, I would recommend trying to reunite them with their mom since they would be dehydrated if they have been without mom for 3 days.

If reuniting fails, do you plan to raise the little tykes yourself or take them to a rehabber. Wildlife Rehabbers are people who have dedicated their lives to helping out injured and orphaned animals. We can help you find one near you that will be able to raise your babies and release them back into the wild when they are ready. Here is a link to find a rehabber if you choose to: Just type GA into the state tab and it will list all the Georgia rehabbers.

http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/index.php

If you cannot find a rehabber near you on that site, let me know and I can give you links to a couple of other sites that may have a rehabber closer to you.

skwerls_R_soft
09-23-2007, 09:26 PM
Poohshere you're in the right place to get help for your babies. I am not a rehabber and I'm sure one will be here soon to help. Please stay tuned!
In the meantime, Kitten milk is not ideal but will do you in a pinch. A bottle with a nipple is not ideal either since wild babies can aspirate (inhale the milk into their lungs) very easily. You can feed them with one but need to be very careful. The IDEAL situation is to get those little guys to a local rehabber ASAP. But since life is rarley ideal, let's wait to get a rehabber here to get you started with what you've got on hand....

I'll post some Georgia rehabbers and a link to more on what to do for newly found squirrel babies in a few minutes.


...Oops looks like S&B2 covered that!

poohshere
09-23-2007, 09:52 PM
ty all for the information....................................... .................................................. ...........................................poohshe re//////[QUOTE=4skwerlz]Below are the basics of first care for baby squirrels. If you still have questions, we are here to help you. Thank you for saving these babies and :Welcome to the Squirrel Board!


Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

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.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. 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. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

3. Decide Who Will Care for the Baby

The Squirrel’s Mother—If the squirrel seems healthy, you might be able to return it to its mother—the best choice. The folks on The Squirrel Board can tell you how to do this.

Rehabber or Vet—If reunion with mom is impossible, the baby will have the best chance to live if you contact an experienced rehabber. The Squirrel Board folks will be happy to help you find someone nearby.

Yourself—If you’re thinking about taking care of the baby yourself, please remember:
--The squirrel will have to be fed every few hours—night and day.
--You will need supplies that will cost at least $250.00.
--If the baby gets worse, it will need emergency vet treatment, which is expensive.
--It is illegal in most states to possess a wild squirrel for any reason.
--Most squirrels eventually turn wild and will have to be released.
--Most squirrels raised by the people who find them die within 2 weeks.

If you still want to raise this baby yourself, the folks on The Squirrel Board are here to help.

If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.


Rehydrating a Baby Squirrel

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

Supplies You Will Need:
--Heating pad without auto shut-off (if you don’t already have one)
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores. You can also order supplies from Chris’ Squirrels and More. (http://www.squirrelsandmore.com)

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:
--1 teaspoon salt
--3 teaspoons sugar
--1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby can be held in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.

How Much Fluid to Feed
Give 1/2 to 1 cc every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. Then give it every 2 hours around the clock. Do not feed Pedialyte for more than 24 hours. It is not a subsitute for formula. Refrigerate Pedialyte after opening. Throw away any open bottles after 3 days.

Check the baby every few hours using the “pinch test” described above. As baby rehydrates, he should “perk up” and become more active. Rehydrate all babies for at least 2 hours before feeding formula or food of any kind. Severely dehydrated babies should be rehydrated for 24 hours before feeding.
Note: If your baby will not take any fluids, he must go to a rehabber immediately or he will die.

Potty Time
A baby that is not fully furred will need help to pee and poo. Normally, the squirrel’s mother will lick the

squirrelsrule&bunniestoo
09-23-2007, 09:55 PM
I forgot to mention... If the little tykes are not dehydrated and you decide to try to reunite, you will have to wait until morning. The mother will not come for them after dark. So, if you try it, do so in the morning after it gets light out and put them in a small container that the mom can easilly get them out of and put them on a baby blanket or something else they can snuggle in so they don't get cold.

FLUFFYTAILNUT
09-23-2007, 10:42 PM
i found 3 baby squirrells in my adict i believe the mother was killed 3 days ago in the street, i need to know whats best to feed them there eyes just openedand there teeth are just growing,,,,at the moment im giving them cat milk,,,,,,,,is that ok? with a kitten bottle.......................poohsheremjs

I dont think there will be much to reunite with he said he thinks ma, ma 's dead..best bet find a rehaber.in your area...if you dont have the time or experience to do it your self..it is a big time job to care for them little angels...thanks for saving them....so, far...!!:thumbsup

poohshere
09-24-2007, 12:09 AM
yes i do believe that was the mother in the road 3 days ago, because i didnt even know they were up there till 2 days ago when they started crying and yelling, im guessing cause they were hungry and no mother around :(
but for now ill do the feeding and caring for them untill i find a rehab

island rehabber
09-24-2007, 08:06 AM
Poohshere, please go to your other thread, as I've listed the towns where there are georgia rehbbers for you....:)

FLUFFYTAILNUT
09-24-2007, 08:29 AM
:thumbsup YOU are such a good human..for taking on the caring..till you can turn them over...or if you have time...GOOD job...they would have probably died..if it wasn't for you!!
Awesome ..caring!!:grouphug