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Thread: EMERGENCY CARE FOR BABY SQUIRRELS

  1. #1
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    Default EMERGENCY CARE FOR BABY SQUIRRELS

    This thread will assist you in dealing with the first few hours of finding an injured or orphaned baby squirrel. In most cases we would urge you to find a qualified wildlife rehabilitator ASAP, but please follow these guidelines to stabilize and keep the squirrel safe:

    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. [b] Find a Box or Container[b]
    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.

    Note: 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.

    3. Rehydrate the Baby

    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!

    How to 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.

    [b] Supplies You Will Need: [b]
    --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.

    *If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

    1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
    3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
    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 should be held upright 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 toilet paper. 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.
    __________________

    Last edited by island rehabber; 08-29-2011 at 07:12 AM.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  2. #2
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    PINKY SQUIRRELS: THE FOUR MAGIC WORDS

    WARMTH: a heating pad on low, under half their container (not under THEM) is best. Plastic tubs or terrariums are good because the environment is more humid and their skin doesn't dry out. When feeding a pinky, if your hands are warm you can use tissue paper to wrap and hold him...if your hands are cold, WARM a cloth or glove before picking up the pinky or you will chill him instantly.

    HYDRATION: pinkies need hydration in the form of formula -- or Pedialyte in the beginning -- at least every 2.5 hrs. This means getting up at least once during the night. I get up twice, and it still means they will go 3.5 hrs sometimes without food but it's usually ok. If they look flat and skinny when you get up to feed them, you are not feeding OFTEN enough. Sorry kids, it's a rough gig those first 2 weeks.

    CONSISTENCY: consistent heat.....consistent feedings....if your schedule is going to make you sporadic or unpredictable in caring for these teeny-weenies, give them to someone who has the time to care for them properly. If you don't have a heating pad, GET ONE, without an auto shut-off. Microwave disks are too unpredictable for pinkies and may cook them. Hot water bottles don't last nearly long enough for these fragile babies.

    PATIENCE: Feed pinkies slo-o-o--owly. Very slowly. Teeny drop by teeny drop, preferably with a 0.5 (1/2) cc syringe or a 1cc at the LARGEST. Use a nipple attachment for best results. Go very, very slowly. If it takes you 5 minutes to get half a cc of formula into a pinky, yer doin' it perfectly. This is how we avoid aspiration, the #1 cause of death in pinkies and the reason why "some say" there is only a 50% success rate in saving them.
    __________________

    Last edited by island rehabber; 10-23-2009 at 03:07 PM.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  3. Serious fuzzy thank you's to island rehabber from:

    LanSeaAir (08-09-2020)

  4. #3
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    More original links from the experts in Squirrel Rehabilitation:

    This thread hopes to provide information needed to caring for, or providing first aid for a baby squirrel. Here you will find links to well prepared work sheets as well as individual posts by our generous members.
    • I found a baby squirrel! Now What? Information comprised by Christina Clark. Christina is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the state of Connecticut and has been since 1995. She is also a member of NWRA, IWRC, and CWRA. Christina also runs an Internet store where she sells squirrel supplies and offers a gift line that helps raise money to offset expenses for the many injured and orphaned squirrels that she cares for. You can email Chris at chris@squirrelsandmore.com or call her at the phone number listed on her website at Squirrels and More.
    • A manual of infant care for beginners. Information in this manual is the work of Sarah Rowe, a licensed rehabilitor from Columbus Squirrel Rescue in Columbus, GA. The contents of Squirreltales.org have been reviewed and endorsed by respected, trained, and experienced rehabilitators across the country. You can email Sarah at scrga@aol.com or contact her by the phone number listed in her manual.
    • Raising Infant Tree Squirrels. Our thanks go to Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates ~ Squirrel Rescue of 359 N. Sweetzer Ave. in Los Angeles, CA 90048. This .PDF file contains an ample amount of information to help you determine the squirrels age, nutritional needs, feeding techniques, housing and other issues related to the overall processes of squirrel rescue and rehabilitation. You may email Mary at Mary@AnimalAdvocates.us or contact her by the phone number listed in her .PDF document.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  5. #4
    A Keys Guest

    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Hello,

    I found a baby squirrel, I am trying to find someone in the Montreal, Quebec area who is registered to care for squirrels. The pet store gave me two numbers to call, but no one is calling me back. Can anyone recommend someone in the Montreal area.

    I think he is 6+ weeks old. I gave him pedialyte today and mixed pedialyte with a bit of puppy formula in the evening. I would like to find someone who is capable of caring for him as soon as possible.

    A. Keys,
    Dollard des Ormeaux

  6. #5
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    where are you in montreal?

    we'll need to do a new thread for you ...most important warm the squirrel slowly ....

    then hydrate....

    then formula 24 hours later ....

    pedialyte only 24 hours ...

    must rush ...will do you a new thread and post

    silvana.toronto.


    ps: in order to help you we'll need phone numbers ... can you please allow pms or post your email address?

    i won't be on for a while or i'd give you mine first....

    Silvana..

    *************************************

    tip for flyer parents.... Flying Squirrels need meat every single day (mealworms/waxworms/cooked chicken breast)

  7. #6
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    new thread for you a keys....http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=29987



    Quote Originally Posted by A Keys
    Hello,

    I found a baby squirrel, I am trying to find someone in the Montreal, Quebec area who is registered to care for squirrels. The pet store gave me two numbers to call, but no one is calling me back. Can anyone recommend someone in the Montreal area.

    I think he is 6+ weeks old. I gave him pedialyte today and mixed pedialyte with a bit of puppy formula in the evening. I would like to find someone who is capable of caring for him as soon as possible.

    A. Keys,
    Dollard des Ormeaux

    Silvana..

    *************************************

    tip for flyer parents.... Flying Squirrels need meat every single day (mealworms/waxworms/cooked chicken breast)

  8. #7
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    Cool Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    what is scalded cow's milk?? i found a really tiny baby squirrel few months back. it fell off from its nest. we tried to place it back in the nest but the mother didn't take him so i just kept him with me and i fed him with a cotton dipped in the packed milk(toned) for like a month. i used to feed him every 2 hours.. ya even in the middle of the night. but now after 4 months hes healthy and just soo adorable.
    the thing is till now it was easy to bathe him but now its really tough cause he runs away or scratches on my skin evrytime i want to bathe him. any ideas how to do it? also he lives in the pocket of my sweater under a blanket. whats the ideal house for him..??


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    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    what is packed milk {toned} mean?

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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    I believe "packed/toned" milk refers to ultra pasturized.
    It's heated to about twenty degrees above what we refer to as pasturized.
    The stuff lasts a long time, without any bad effects.
    No, I have no idea why we don't do this in the US.

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    Red face Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jackie in Tampa
    what is packed milk {toned} mean?

    toned milk refers to the milk obtained by the addition of skim milk powder & water to whole milk .Under PFA rules, Toned milk should contain a minimum of 3.0 % fat & 8.5% solids not fat

    nd yes packed milk that we get in india is exactly what skul said! so any answeres to my original questions pls! bathing??

  12. #11
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Re: bathing....why do you feel you need to bathe your squirrel?
    Squirrels typically do not need baths. They are very clean animals who keep themselves clean and, if they have good bedding in their cages that is changed in a timely manner they will not have any odor.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Quote Originally Posted by island rehabber
    Re: bathing....why do you feel you need to bathe your squirrel?
    Squirrels typically do not need baths. They are very clean animals who keep themselves clean and, if they have good bedding in their cages that is changed in a timely manner they will not have any odor.
    BECAUSE when we're new, we're all of the sudden Mothers and that's what we DO!

    GAH!!

    K, my grey only got one bath, after that (it was a pleasant experience, too, btw) I learned better.

    (posting in epic thread, also)

    Edit: I didn't see what kind of squirrel the guy had. ROFLing at the idea of someone carrying around an eastern grey in a pouch.

    Extra LOLs @ a four month old eastern grey. That's like carrying a 7 yo kid around in one of those baby packs you wear on your chest.

  14. #13
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Most likely he is an Indian Palm Squirrel -- deepshreesh, am I correct? They are very small, like our chipmunks, and could be pocket pets.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  15. #14
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Quote Originally Posted by island rehabber
    Most likely he is an Indian Palm Squirrel -- deepshreesh, am I correct? They are very small, like our chipmunks, and could be pocket pets.
    Don't stifle my hilarious imagination!!

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    Wink Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Quote Originally Posted by PDXErik
    BECAUSE when we're new, we're all of the sudden Mothers and that's what we DO!

    GAH!!

    K, my grey only got one bath, after that (it was a pleasant experience, too, btw) I learned better.

    (posting in epic thread, also)

    Edit: I didn't see what kind of squirrel the guy had. ROFLing at the idea of someone carrying around an eastern grey in a pouch.

    Extra LOLs @ a four month old eastern grey. That's like carrying a 7 yo kid around in one of those baby packs you wear on your chest.



    okay my squirrel too had just 2-3 baths.. bt now m nt able to coz hez soo active nd ya hez an indian palm squirrel. nd m nt a guy

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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Quote Originally Posted by PDXErik
    Don't stifle my hilarious imagination!!

    nd he just loves to go aound in my pocket.. very adorable.. hez really tiny u seemjs

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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    Quote Originally Posted by island rehabber
    Most likely he is an Indian Palm Squirrel -- deepshreesh, am I correct? They are very small, like our chipmunks, and could be pocket pets.

    yes u r ryt.. hez an indian palm squirrel..nd i do carry him with me in my pocket.. he smtyms sleep der..hehhe

  19. #18
    Squirrelie Guest

    Default chattering teeth in my squirrel

    We rescued two squirrels last spring. We sent them free with nice boxes a nice stash of food, an excellent location, high in a really nice tree. One took off and the other came back down and hated it there. She wanted us and was terrified to be in the woods. We brought her home.
    She has everything she could ever want, a well balanced diet of nuts, acorns, tree seeds, apples, corn sunflower seeds and very nice squirrel blend mix complete with calcium and she uses a water bottle.
    She runs the house everyday for exercise and has a Macaw cage complete with branches to run and jump on and a box to sleep on and a rope to play on. Her feces are fine and urine I believe is normal.
    She loves to be out of her cage and running the house as she buries nuts in the couch and upstairs in our bed and anyplace else she feels appropriate.
    WE ADORE HER and she wants for nothing.
    Today I noticed she was chattering her teeth as though she was cold. I know she cannot be cold but I am concerned about this new behavior.
    She is a gray and we have two fox boys with us too. (separate cages from her) The boys are waiting for spring release. It was too late in the fall to try and release them and expect them to find adequate food for winter. So they remain here until April.
    She should not be a heat cycle, but I am still concerned. Can you shed any light on this behavior? Is she lacking something.
    I want to try to release her again in the spring because I feel she needs to be in a tree with other squirrels, despite what she thought this past fall.
    I would be appreciative of any insight you can add to this teeth chattering behavior.
    (she does have a plywood box in her cage and she has been chewing on it) I will look to hear from you. Thank you.

  20. #19
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    Default Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL... NOW WHAT?

    hi Squirrelie, and !
    Teeth chattering is generally a sign of anger, or pain. What was she doing, and where was she when you noticed it? Were you trying to take something away from her, like a nut? Were the foxer boys nearby, and did she notice them in particular? She might be competitive with them, taking away YOUR attention. Sometimes a squirrel just doesn't want to be messed with -- they are more like cats than dogs, that way -- and teeth will chatter. The next thing is CHOMP!

    On the other hand, if it's a sign of pain try to remember exactly what she was doing at the time. Her diet is "ok" but not great -- corn and sunflower seeds are bad bad bad for an indoor squirrel, as their phosphorous levels get jacked up from those foods, and it depletes calcium. Does she eat any kind of rodent block? I would be a bit concerned about the start of MBD, which can make them achy. (achey?)

    Either way, close observation on your part and a few tweaks to her diet will make all the difference! There is lots of excellent info on the Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels in our Nutrition Forum.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  21. #20
    pieuvre42 Guest

    Exclamation Re: EMERGENCY CARE FOR BABY SQUIRRELS

    Bonjour,

    J’habite la région de l’Outaouais (Gatienau) et j’ai trouvé un bébé écureuil d’environ 4-5-semaines je crois. Il a ces poils, les yeux ouverts et il arrive à se déplacer lentement. Je l’ai vu descendre de mon sapin il y a 2 jours. J’imagine qu’il n’a pas pu remonter. Il été en plein soleil déshydraté hier. Je lui donne du lait de chaton au biberon pour l’instant et je le maintiens dans une cage à l’extérieur (j’ai 2 chats). Cependant, je me demandais si il allait avoir trop froid? Je luis ai mis des couverture. Bref, j’aimerais savoir si il y a un endroit où je pourrais amener cet écureuil puisque je ne peux toujours être à la maison?

    Hi, I live in Gatineau (Quebec, Canada) and I found a baby squirrel yesterday. I want to know if there is somewhere I can bring this baby for caring? It can be in Montreal also. I have a car. Thank you.

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