OREGON: Putting 5 month old sweetheart up for adoption

[hopers]

Hi everyone! I have a young squirrel who I found outside, in pain and dehydrated, when he was around 2-3 months old back in late September. He is very friendly and sweet but I am completely unprepared for the demands of taking care of such a creature. I am unable to give him the nutrition he needs because he won't accept the veggies I offer. He is a very selective feeder and often refuses even squirrel junk foods like nuts, which means he doesn't grow like he should. I'm scared he'll get MBD, and today he had something that could have either been a seizure or a really intense leg cramp.
Early in my time with him, I was thinking it was about time for release when he sustained a burn-- so I kept him for longer to nurse him, and now it's too late to release. He is so tame and loves human touch so much, I know he wouldn't make it a day in the wild anymore. Also, I don't have a backyard so getting him enough vitamin D is impossible. I bought him rodent food that I saw reccommended for squirrels by a vet office website but he never eats it.
I am located in Eugene, Oregon. Is there anyone out there who would be more equipped for the challenge of delivering proper nutrition to a super picky eater?
His name is Pippin, here are some pictures of him being a cutie pie.

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[Mel1959]

You might have a dwarf squirrel. Can you post a picture of him in your hands and a full face photo? What does he weigh and what is his current age? Is he still taking formula? And how long did he take formula?

Dwarf squirrels are very special. They can’t climb well and are non-releasable. Please share more about him so we can determine if this is what he is.

In the meantime how close are you to Vancouver, WA? There is a member with a Squirrel Refuge located there.

As for the possible seizure, he may already have MBD. Please begin the emergency MBD treatment immediately. Here’s the link. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32122-MBD-Treatment The treatment will not hurt him if it’s not MBD and May save his life.

[hopers]

You might have a dwarf squirrel. Can you post a picture of him in your hands and a full face photo? What does he weigh and what is his current age? Is he still taking formula? And how long did he take formula?

Dwarf squirrels are very special. They can’t climb well and are non-releasable. Please share more about him so we can determine if this is what he is.

In the meantime how close are you to Vancouver, WA? There is a member with a Squirrel Refuge located there.

As for the possible seizure, he may already have MBD. Please begin the emergency MBD treatment immediately. Here’s the link. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32122-MBD-Treatment The treatment will not hurt him if it’s not MBD and May save his life.

Thanks for your response! Based on online pictures I don't think I have a dwarf squirrel, I think he is a malnourished grey squirrel :( Eugene is about an 8 hour drive from Vancouver, or 13.5 hours by train. I am estimating him at about 5 months and about 1 lb. He is a good climber though! I will post those photos of him the next time I'm home.
As for formula, Pippin never took it, not even once. I was feeding very warm esbilac from a syringe but he was totally uninterested and would spit it out. Also he didn't need a heating pad when I first got him, as he would spread out on his back to cool down.
As for the MBD treatment, I've tried to give him tums in so many different forms but as I said he's a super picky eater. HOWEVER the peanut butter idea on the forum is genius and I think it just might work. Thanks! :) It will be such a weight off my back getting some calcium into the little guy

[CritterMom]

He is a fox squirrel, not a gray. They are much larger than a gray squirrel so their juveniles are too. The term "dwarf" has a lot of meanings here - it isn't just a size thing. Would love to see the pics that were requested. Difficulty feeding is one of the dwarf issues, BTW...

[supersquirrelgirl]

Eugene is about an 8 hour drive from Vancouver, or 13.5 hours by train.

Hi Hopers,

Vancouver, WA just over the Oregon/Washington border (Not Canada). Drive time should be roughly 4 hrs ?? Can you double check ??

https://www.squirrelrefuge.org/

Mr.SSG

[hopers]

He is a fox squirrel, not a gray. They are much larger than a gray squirrel so their juveniles are too. The term "dwarf" has a lot of meanings here - it isn't just a size thing. Would love to see the pics that were requested. Difficulty feeding is one of the dwarf issues, BTW...

Oh okay, I thought fox squirrel at first but someone on reddit told me he was actually grey. Here are some more pictures of him (8 pound rabbit for scale), although the one in my hand is from a couple months ago. The one of him eating cucumber is from today. In my opinion he is looking a little malnourished, especially because his tail has lost some fluffiness.
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Thanks for all your help, guys! I'll do everything I can to help Pip's nutrition situation while the little guy is still in my care. If you think it is really important to know his exact weight I can buy a kitchen scale, although I'm on a tight budget. I could also take his body measurements if that would help. Also, I just gave him his first 100 mg of Tums and I will continue dosing as if he has MBD. I will update about that

[hopers]

Hi Hopers,

Vancouver, WA just over the Oregon/Washington border (Not Canada). Drive time should be roughly 4 hrs ?? Can you double check ??

https://www.squirrelrefuge.org/

Mr.SSG

Oh haha you're right-- do you know if the rehabber in Vancouver would accept a non-releasable squirrel? Because I am pretty sure he needs to be adopted as opposed to rehabilitated for release. Sadly he might be past that :(

[supersquirrelgirl]

Oh haha you're right-- do you know if the rehabber in Vancouver would accept a non-releasable squirrel? Because I am pretty sure he needs to be adopted as opposed to rehabilitated for release. Sadly he might be past that :(

Best to make direct contact with Squirrel Refuge to check. In addition, they may have other options for you locally.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Yep, thats a foxer! We have a yard full of wilds here (Northern California). Sorry, not a Rehabber and no house squirrels here.

BTW, a 8 pound rabbit must be a super giant compared to Pip!

[Mel1959]

The contact information for the Squirrel Refuge is 360-836-0955. I would call. The owner, Michael, is an expert in all things squirrels and will be able to assess Pip and offer advice. I hope his knowledge will help you know the best course of action for him.

[hopers]

The contact information for the Squirrel Refuge is 360-836-0955. I would call. The owner, Michael, is an expert in all things squirrels and will be able to assess Pip and offer advice. I hope his knowledge will help you know the best course of action for him.

I emailed them a bit ago! Thank you <3

[hopers]

Hi everyone, he's at the rehab now. I'm gonna miss him but they can take care of him there. Thank you!

[Diggie's Friend]

Since it states on the OR. F&G webpage, that non-native tree squirrels species (E. Fox squirrels and E. Gray Squirrels) taken into rehab, may only be released where they were found; I would call back the rehabber and cite this code, so when he is ready to be released, that it be done in your yard. If they comply, you may may see him again.

[Diggie's Friend]

This is the clarification of the code on releasing non native species.
Most sadly, on some of the other webpages, only euthanasia is noted, rather than the complete code.

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/TreeSquirrels.pdf


If you have trapped a nonnative squirrel, it must be released on
the same property where it was trapped, or it must be humanely
euthanized.