4 month old squirrel lethargic

[DCSquirrel]

Hi Everyone,

Three months ago, we rescued a month old baby red squirrel after we found his mum get hit by a car.

He was doing well and last week we released him into the wild. We did a soft release so he could come back, eat and sleep as he wished. He’d found a drey in the wild and was happily living in a small forest.

Over 24 hours ago he came home (whilst we were out) and we could see on the surveillance camera that he was coming up to eat from the feeding platform in his enclosure. When we returned at 8pm we discovered he was very tired and skinny.

Today, he only left his sleeping box once and the entire day he’s not wanted to leave to eat. I’ve been feeding him and syringe feeding him water, every 1-2 hours.

He’s not made any major improvements. His spine is slightly arched, eyes droopy, sunken cheeks, a few fleas but no obvious injuries. He still hops but doesn’t move well. Loss of balance too. He’s done a couple of pees but no excrements. No diarrhoea, no blood. His hair around his back legs look a little uneven and I wondered whether he’d fallen or had an argument with another squirrel.

I would like your advice. I’ve spoken to two vets who have said it’s unlikely to be internal parasites (but we plan to give some treatment this evening. I’ve had a massive stomach ache all day and it’s made me think he’s given me something…)

I wondered whether he has internal bleeding.

Today he’s had small bites of hazelnut, avocado, apple, courgette, 2-3 sunflower seeds and boiled egg white. We’ve given him 2 syringes of milk replacement powder that we used to provide him with a tiny tiny bit of organic honey.

He has improved a little. But if this was caused by dehydration and starvation, surely he would have perked up by now?

[CritterMom]

Hi Everyone,

Three months ago, we rescued a month old baby red squirrel after we found his mum get hit by a car.

He was doing well and last week we released him into the wild. We did a soft release so he could come back, eat and sleep as he wished. He’d found a drey in the wild and was happily living in a small forest.

Over 24 hours ago he came home (whilst we were out) and we could see on the surveillance camera that he was coming up to eat from the feeding platform in his enclosure. When we returned at 8pm we discovered he was very tired and skinny.

Today, he only left his sleeping box once and the entire day he’s not wanted to leave to eat. I’ve been feeding him and syringe feeding him water, every 1-2 hours.

He’s not made any major improvements. His spine is slightly arched, eyes droopy, sunken cheeks, a few fleas but no obvious injuries. He still hops but doesn’t move well. Loss of balance too. He’s done a couple of pees but no excrements. No diarrhoea, no blood. His hair around his back legs look a little uneven and I wondered whether he’d fallen or had an argument with another squirrel.

I would like your advice. I’ve spoken to two vets who have said it’s unlikely to be internal parasites (but we plan to give some treatment this evening. I’ve had a massive stomach ache all day and it’s made me think he’s given me something…)

I wondered whether he has internal bleeding.

Today he’s had small bites of hazelnut, avocado, apple, courgette, 2-3 sunflower seeds and boiled egg white. We’ve given him 2 syringes of milk replacement powder that we used to provide him with a tiny tiny bit of organic honey.

He has improved a little. But if this was caused by dehydration and starvation, surely he would have perked up by now?

How have your temperatures been? Has it been crazy hot like everywhere else on the planet?

Sometimes the youngsters don't do that well their first time out. They may have difficulty finding food, or getting that food if they are working in other squirrel territories. He wouldn't be the first one who came home for a little help. I had a friend who had her squirrels return frequently, and would come into the house looking for their old cage. It happened enough that she stopped dismantling them so they would be ready! They would come in and climb into their old sleep place and sleep and sleep for days, breaking only for meals. It can be a tough world.

Can you actually bring him inside if it is hot? And I would push hard with the formula - it is a pretty complete food and they usually remember it. And be very careful with the antiparasitic. Can you collect some poop and have your vet do a float to see what is in there? the antiparasitics all treat different things and none of them treat everything. It would be nice to know WHAT he has, if he has any at all.

[DCSquirrel]

Hi Everyone,

Three months ago, we rescued a month old baby red squirrel after we found his mum get hit by a car.

He was doing well and last week we released him into the wild. We did a soft release so he could come back, eat and sleep as he wished. He’d found a drey in the wild and was happily living in a small forest.

Over 24 hours ago he came home (whilst we were out) and we could see on the surveillance camera that he was coming up to eat from the feeding platform in his enclosure. When we returned at 8pm we discovered he was very tired and skinny.

Today, he only left his sleeping box once and the entire day he’s not wanted to leave to eat. I’ve been feeding him and syringe feeding him water, every 1-2 hours.

He’s not made any major improvements. His spine is slightly arched, eyes droopy, sunken cheeks, a few fleas but no obvious injuries. He still hops but doesn’t move well. Loss of balance too. He’s done a couple of pees but no excrements. No diarrhoea, no blood. His hair around his back legs look a little uneven and I wondered whether he’d fallen or had an argument with another squirrel.

I would like your advice. I’ve spoken to two vets who have said it’s unlikely to be internal parasites (but we plan to give some treatment this evening. I’ve had a massive stomach ache all day and it’s made me think he’s given me something…)

I wondered whether he has internal bleeding.

Today he’s had small bites of hazelnut, avocado, apple, courgette, 2-3 sunflower seeds and boiled egg white. We’ve given him 2 syringes of milk replacement powder that we used to provide him with a tiny tiny bit of organic honey.

He has improved a little. But if this was caused by dehydration and starvation, surely he would have perked up by now?


How have your temperatures been? Has it been crazy hot like everywhere else on the planet?

Sometimes the youngsters don't do that well their first time out. They may have difficulty finding food, or getting that food if they are working in other squirrel territories. He wouldn't be the first one who came home for a little help. I had a friend who had her squirrels return frequently, and would come into the house looking for their old cage. It happened enough that she stopped dismantling them so they would be ready! They would come in and climb into their old sleep place and sleep and sleep for days, breaking only for meals. It can be a tough world.

Can you actually bring him inside if it is hot? And I would push hard with the formula - it is a pretty complete food and they usually remember it. And be very careful with the antiparasitic. Can you collect some poop and have your vet do a float to see what is in there? the antiparasitics all treat different things and none of them treat everything. It would be nice to know WHAT he has, if he has any at all.

Yes, we’ve brought him inside. It’s not hot here. 18c is in the air temperature. He hasn’t pooped since he arrived yesterday.

The past two hours, his heart rate has rapidly increased and he’s started trembling. I’ve given him a a small syringe of milk with around 40mg calcium/ magnesium. I don’t want to rule out MBD, but before his release, he’d gnaw on reindeer antler for 30-40 minutes a day.

[Diggie's Friend]

Even if the weather is moderately warm there, he may be dehydrated, along with being undernourished.
New releases commonly get less food than the wild raised squirrels.

Yogurt is a richer source of nutrients than milk.
Try adding an 1/8 Tsp. measure of Calcium citrate powder into 3 ml of either whole fat cow's milk organic yogurt.
Whole fat goat yogurt, which has a higher fat content, is also a good choice to offer.

With this species, a few drops of maple syrup may help to increase the appeal of the yogurt to the squirrel.

Be sure to aim from below up to the corner of the mouth at a 45 degree angle to the side of the jaw and body.
If the squirrel grabs the syringe to nurse from it, then shift to aiming from below at a vertical 45 degree angle up to the incisors.

[DCSquirrel]

Even if the weather is moderately warm there, he may be dehydrated, along with being undernourished.
New releases commonly get less food than the wild raised squirrels.

Yogurt is a richer source of nutrients than milk.
Try adding an 1/8 Tsp. measure of Calcium citrate powder into 3 ml of either whole fat cow's milk organic yogurt.
Whole fat goat yogurt, which has a higher fat content, is also a good choice to offer.

With this species, a few drops of maple syrup may help to increase the appeal of the yogurt to the squirrel.

Be sure to aim from below up to the corner of the mouth at a 45 degree angle to the side of the jaw and body.
If the squirrel grabs the syringe to nurse from it, then shift to aiming from below at a vertical 45 degree angle up to the incisors.

Thank you! My partner will buy yogurt in the shop later today. To our amazement, the little squirrel survived and has eaten well this morning (given the circumstances). Almonds, hazelnuts and courgette.

I wonder what’s the best way to provide him with nutrients. Unfortunately the Henry’s blocks cannot be posted to Sweden and I can’t find similar online. I have no idea if this is an option but could I crush a tiny corner (5-10mg) of a multivitamin vegan tablet. Could that be beneficial? It has B12 and many other vitamins. For now, we will keep trying to feed and provide water gently.

325653325653

[CritterMom]

What sort of formula do you guys use for the babies? Often adults are more than happy to lap formula right from the bowl.

[Tashahaven]

There is a recipe to make the Henry’s blocks on their website.

[CritterMom]

There is a recipe to make the Henry’s blocks on their website.

Can you link to it? Henry's does such a good job trying to help - can you give me the name of ONE other company willing to provide people with a recipe to make a replacement for their own product? Gotta love squirrel peeps.

The problem for people outside the US in the past is that the homemade block recipes relied on Henry's vitamins, Henry's protein powder, and Henry's calcium to make it, which would necessitate ordering them from the US. The vitamins in particular would be very difficult to make yourself, even though the amounts of each are provided on the product packaging. I am guessing a high quality whey protein isolate powder and of course calcium is calcium so it could be reproduced, but the vitamins are very complex and really necessary...

Do people keep rats as pets there? Is there a MANUFACTURED food - not a bag full of dried corn and sunflower seeds - for rats sold there? Their nutritional needs are very similar.

[Diggie's Friend]

You will need a source of calcium source that doesn't include Vitamin D3. At human doses d3 combined with Calcium is lethal to rodents.[/B]

Calcium citrate source (no D3) is available on Amazon.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitamins-100-Calcium-Citrate-Capsules/dp/B00EUBCH6A/ref=sr_1_31?crid=3OFJ4GZ4RTU5U&keywords=Calcium+citrate+capsules&qid=1692384854&sprefix=calcium+citrate+capsules+%2Caps%2C312&sr=8-31

100 mg. elemental calcium per capsule included twice daily into yogurt.

Supplying a key source in the diet of the Eurasian Red Squirrels that engage in tree bark stripping to access the living layer of pine trees that contains protein, minerals and other nutrients:

"Pycnogenol" a 'nutraceutical' is an extract of the living layer of the, "Maritime Pine" from France

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Factors-Pycnogenol-25mg-Capsules/dp/B00028P640

(1/64 Tsp.) the smallest measuring spoon in the below set.

Measuring spoons for tiny supplement amounts: https://www.amazon.com/Measuring-Stainless-Silicone-Teaspoon-Ingredients/dp/B0B2RF6CHG/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_2/145-1222945-5204849?pd_rd_w=bAONh&content-id=amzn1.sym.116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_p=116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_r=5C381DADVE94853ESM7F&pd_rd_wg=Xfy5C&pd_rd_r=d4b69d95-f909-404b-810c-e91dd171db81&pd_rd_i=B0B2RF6CHG&psc=1

There is a source of D3 low enough to reduce for tree squirrels.

[Diggie's Friend]

What is the source of Calcium/Magnesium you gave to him? If it has D3 do not use it again. If not what are the elemental mg. noted for both Calcium and Magnesium respectively?

For the new source I would amend my initial recommendation for Calcium citrate powder to include 50 mg. (elemental calcium) and 200 mg. total for the day, spread out at least into 4 feedings each time with the yogurt. Why is that he is in need of every nutrient, and Calcium is particularly crucial to get back up to a level that can support him sufficiently.

Begin by adding 50 mg. elemental calcium to yogurt and then water to thin it down to the consistency of Kefir that has some fluidity to it, yet not runny. As far as the yogurt measure, begin with the total mixture of 3 ml which you can increase if you see he will take it.

[Tashahaven]

Can you link to it? Henry's does such a good job trying to help - can you give me the name of ONE other company willing to provide people with a recipe to make a replacement for their own product? Gotta love squirrel peeps.

The problem for people outside the US in the past is that the homemade block recipes relied on Henry's vitamins, Henry's protein powder, and Henry's calcium to make it, which would necessitate ordering them from the US. The vitamins in particular would be very difficult to make yourself, even though the amounts of each are provided on the product packaging. I am guessing a high quality whey protein isolate powder and of course calcium is calcium so it could be reproduced, but the vitamins are very complex and really necessary...

Do people keep rats as pets there? Is there a MANUFACTURED food - not a bag full of dried corn and sunflower seeds - for rats sold there? Their nutritional needs are very similar.

I missed that part. I haven’t looked at it in a year. Maybe the experts can help with a basic vitamin mix based on the last comment.

I don’t know what happened to the info on the site, I know I saw it. But this was posted by 4skwerls 2017

Homemade Squirrel Block Recipe
Makes approximately a 4-week supply for a 1-pound squirrel.

Preheat oven to 205 degrees Fahrenheit

Dry ingredients:
80 g Pure Whey Protein Isolate for adult formula (for growth formula, use 160 g).
130 g finely ground nuts (any kind; peanuts, pecans, or almonds work well)
1/3 cup wheat flour (optional)
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1 package (45 g) Henry's Healthy Vita-Mins*

Wet ingredients:
1 whole egg
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)
1/2 cup water, or a little more, as needed (this is for growth formula only; do not add water to the adult formula unless the dough is too dry when mixed)

Instructions:
Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Add all the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork until dough sticks together. It will be fairly dry, like pie crust dough. Wearing gloves or with your bare hands (oiled), press the dough down and then start to knead it. Once the dough forms a ball, place it onto a lightly greased surface and knead a few more times until smooth and uniform in color. Roll dough out into a roll or flatten into a square, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. While still warm, cut into 60 pieces with a sharp knife

Allow the blocks to cool for at least 2 hours. Then place in zip-lock bags and store them in the fridge or freezer. They will keep in the fridge for several weeks. They will keep in the freezer for several months (unopened and with as much air as possible removed from the bag before sealing). Some squirrels enjoy eating them cold or frozen, but you can also put a cold block into the microwave for about 5-10 seconds to warm it up.

Feed 2-3 per day for a 1-pound (453 g) squirrel. Different squirrels will have different energy requirements.

*If you want to make your own vitamin/mineral premix, please consult the Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals-Rats, or one of the standard nutrient profiles for rats, such as those used in commercial rodent blocks.

[DCSquirrel]

I missed that part. I haven’t looked at it in a year. Maybe the experts can help with a basic vitamin mix based on the last comment.

I don’t know what happened to the info on the site, I know I saw it. But this was posted by 4skwerls 2017

Homemade Squirrel Block Recipe
Makes approximately a 4-week supply for a 1-pound squirrel.

Preheat oven to 205 degrees Fahrenheit

Dry ingredients:
80 g Pure Whey Protein Isolate for adult formula (for growth formula, use 160 g).
130 g finely ground nuts (any kind; peanuts, pecans, or almonds work well)
1/3 cup wheat flour (optional)
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1 package (45 g) Henry's Healthy Vita-Mins*

Wet ingredients:
1 whole egg
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)
1/2 cup water, or a little more, as needed (this is for growth formula only; do not add water to the adult formula unless the dough is too dry when mixed)

Instructions:
Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Add all the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork until dough sticks together. It will be fairly dry, like pie crust dough. Wearing gloves or with your bare hands (oiled), press the dough down and then start to knead it. Once the dough forms a ball, place it onto a lightly greased surface and knead a few more times until smooth and uniform in color. Roll dough out into a roll or flatten into a square, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. While still warm, cut into 60 pieces with a sharp knife

Allow the blocks to cool for at least 2 hours. Then place in zip-lock bags and store them in the fridge or freezer. They will keep in the fridge for several weeks. They will keep in the freezer for several months (unopened and with as much air as possible removed from the bag before sealing). Some squirrels enjoy eating them cold or frozen, but you can also put a cold block into the microwave for about 5-10 seconds to warm it up.

Feed 2-3 per day for a 1-pound (453 g) squirrel. Different squirrels will have different energy requirements.

*If you want to make your own vitamin/mineral premix, please consult the Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals-Rats, or one of the standard nutrient profiles for rats, such as those used in commercial rodent blocks.


Hi everyone, I just wanted to update the forum on our squirrel. He went downhill yesterday morning with aspiration pneumonia. We managed to find a vet that would agree to see us and we managed to get Baytril antibiotics. We’ve seen a massive improvement and he’s eaten really well today. Going for the toilet normally too. He’s very skinny though so I’d love any tips on how to fatten him up. He’s taken milk replacement, hazelnuts, almonds, boiled egg, yogurt (2 licks), apple, pear, courgette. I’ve tried other foods including tomato, salad, broccoli, kale, butternut squash and he won’t eat them. Any other ideas?

Can squirrels eat organic tofu?

[Diggie's Friend]

Organic cold pressed Food grade, Styrian pumpkin seed oil, is a healthy source of plant fat and soluble fat vitamins. Studied in rats, it was found to lend significant health support to the kidney, liver, heart, and prostrate.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Certified-Organic-Pressed-Pumpkin-Biopurus/dp/B01B0PHDXK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pumpkin-Seed-Sun-Organic-Pressed/dp/B00DJQ48Y6/ref=pd_rhf_d_ee_s_pd_crcd_sccl_1_1/262-5982281-1575027?pd_rd_w=KQ7cO&content-id=amzn1.sym.78cde7ad-5703-491a-ae99-da95a7575ac6&pf_rd_p=78cde7ad-5703-491a-ae99-da95a7575ac6&pf_rd_r=EWWPVAQ89WB3CKMZ1ZG2&pd_rd_wg=PPx8c&pd_rd_r=e7243e7a-68d7-43c3-935a-840bafc0fef0&pd_rd_i=B00DJQ48Y6&th=1

Organic food grade cold pressed chia oil has immune health properties, a powerful anti-inflammatory.

https://erbology.co/us/shop/organic-chia-seed-oil/

Added both to yogurt, veggies, greens it adds a nutty taste and appealing aroma.