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View Full Version : Grey squirrel baby 4/5 weeks



Ashers
08-30-2024, 06:06 PM
So I have this gray baby squirrel from what I'm seeing about 4 or 5 weeks old. It's eyes are just slitting almost trying to open. I fell out of the tree last night and screamed for about 2 or 3 hours and I watched it until finally The Neighborhood Cats started coming up on it. None of the cats actually touched him. I brought him in have been switching out the rice bags religiously every 2 hours if not a little sooner if they didn't Heat correctly. He is in a big plushie blanket which is in an open topped plastic tote. I tried every 2 hours last night to get him to drink some warm water and honey and he would take maybe a drop here and there but I think it was more just to lick off his lips. At one point he actually drank a couple of drops but none since. Today I was able to have delivered the esbilac puppy milk replacer and while the first time I attempted I really believe I just had it too cold, the second attempt he did really really great until he fell asleep eating, but he is not eaten since. He's rooting around and actually making rooting noises like he's searching for a nipple but then he just doesn't want to attempt drinking again. I have tried syringes I have tried a kitten bottle that I slit the nipple just enough that if he sucks or bites down on it he'll get a little dribble. I've kept him warm, I've held him differently, I've tried putting a little honey on his gums for the low blood sugar about 45 minutes ago. The last time he ate was about 4 hours ago and he really didn't eat very much- though after not eating for 12 hours I have no idea how big a tiny squirrel baby's tummy really is. While he had quite a lot of luster the last 16 hours or so he's just getting tired a lot faster and I'm really worried I'm doing something wrong. I had attempted to call the emergency veterinarian hospital here in town who gave me the phone number of a Wildlife Reserve about an hour away but gave me a warning that they would probably euthanize it being that we have so many gray squirrels in the area and it's not worth their time. I called the Wildlife Reserve and they wouldn't give me any straight answers on what they would do for him or how they would release him and all they could say was that they couldn't tell me anything. Please help I don't know how to save him

Spanky
08-31-2024, 09:27 AM
First off, say no to the kitten bottles... no to bottles period when feeding squirrels. We use syringes (no needles) and nipples that fit over the tip of the syringe; the nipples are great but not absolutely necessary.

Is this baby clicking with each breath (especially when sleeping)? If yes, they he likely has Aspiration Pneumonia (AP) and will NEED anitbiotics... human antibiotics will work including Cipro (ciprofloxain), Augmentin (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid), Bactrim (SMS/TMP) or vet medicine Baytril (enrofloxacin), Clavamox (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid)... and some others as well. Check your cabinets, ask family friends and neighbors... if you find anything, pot the name(s) strengths and we need the squirrels weight to provide dosing information.

You can ask at a pharmacy for some 1ml syringes, no needles needed. If you just tell them you are feeding baby kittens, it will make things easiest (no questions, no "ewe a rodent" kind of things that may make them more reluctant to help).

And here is a 6 page long primer ont eh basics of squirrel care. After reading this, please ask any question or clarifications needed...
https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/

There is an outstanding squirrel rescue in Vancouver, WA.. just across form Portland, OR:
https://www.squirrelrefuge.org/

Let us know if you are close enough by to Vancouver to get this little one there.

Ashers
09-10-2024, 04:08 AM
He was doing really good and then I slipped with his syringe this evening and he's clicking really bad and only getting worse
I've tried everyone I know and none have any antibiotics. What do I do??? I killed him I don't know how to make him better
Please help someone please please please

Spanky
09-10-2024, 12:21 PM
Antibiotics are the only fix. Fish stores (aquarium shops) sometimes carry FishFlox or FishMox that can treat AP.

Are you close to Portland? Squirrel Refuge may be able to help.
https://www.squirrelrefuge.org/