Baby squirrel...is he normal?

[SPP1988]

Found a baby squirrel several days ago. Estimating he may be 5-6 weeks but I might be wrong. He fell about 20 feet from a tree. I've raised two squirrels in the past and this one just doesn't seem right. I don't know if it's because of his age but he is extremely wobbly and tends to fall over alot and runs around in circles. He also kicks and makes noises when i try to feed him and hes eating less and less. I took a video but it won't load here. Crappy Internet. If he doesn't start getting better I want to take it to a rehabber but I'm afraid that if it does have some brain damage they will want to euthanize it. Does anyone know of anybody in the Austin area who would take care of it? I'd also be willing to drive to Houston or Dallas if need be. I will keep trying to upload the video.

[DarkLies212]

It definitely sounds like he has some neuro problems. He will likely not be able to be released. Hopefully someone can give this baby a furever home.

Thank you for taking him in. What's his diet been like so far?

[SPP1988]

I know it's not the popular choice anymore but I've been feeding him esbilac every 4 hours. He's eating about 7 cc each feeding. But today he doesn't seem to want to eat. He's pooping and peeing on his own but I'm still "helping" after each feeding as well. He hates it. He has shown interest in nuts but when he's feeding himself he cannot balance on his hind legs. I dont know if thats due to age or brain trauma.He shows no interest in the rodent block. His ears are also still down and from what I've read that should be up by now. I'd really like to take care of him forever but I know it's a ton of work and I have school and a full time job.

[island rehabber]

I know it's not the popular choice anymore but I've been feeding him esbilac every 4 hours. He's eating about 7 cc each feeding. But today he doesn't seem to want to eat. He's pooping and peeing on his own but I'm still "helping" after each feeding as well. He hates it. He has shown interest in nuts but when he's feeding himself he cannot balance on his hind legs. I dont know if thats due to age or brain trauma.He shows no interest in the rodent block. His ears are also still down and from what I've read that should be up by now. I'd really like to take care of him forever but I know it's a ton of work and I have school and a full time job.

Esbilac is fine if it's the POWDER form with the blue band around the top that says "with added probiotics", etc. The canned liquid Esbilac is NOT good. Are you warming it up enough? Some babies really like it almost hot. If we could see a pic of him it would help a lot, because your description of his ears being 'down' suggests other issues here.....

[Chickenlegs]

Let me check. May have a forever home. Likely won't know until tonight.

[SPP1988]

Yes it is the powdered esbilac. And I warm it before I feed it to him. I'll try and load a pic. May have to try from a computer instead of my phone

[Nancy in New York]

Yes it is the powdered esbilac. And I warm it before I feed it to him. I'll try and load a pic. May have to try from a computer instead of my phone

Many people are confusing the Esbilac with the PetLac even after they tell us it's Esbilac.
Then I post this.
SO not to doubt you, but just want to be on the safe side.

When buying PetAg puppy replacers make sure you are getting the correct one.
We have had several members this week with very sick squirrels due to feeding
the incorrect formula. (Through NO fault of their care takers, as it can be confusing)
PetLac sits in the squirrels tummies like cement.
They bloat, and can not defecate. This could cause death.
You want to get the PetAg Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder

NOT
PetLac Puppy Milk Replacement Powder.................................................. ........................CORRECT FORMULA

[SPP1988]

I almost did buy the PetLac because it was cheaper but thought it was better to stick with the one everyone suggested on here and the other sites. Here is a pic of him

[SPP1988]

A bit of an update...I went to feed him and made his formula a little bit warmer than usual and he drank it all up. I let him run around the living room and his ears perked right up. He did shake a little bit as he was running around but I dont know if thats because hes still afraid or if its a brain injury. He reminds me of a drunk person with the shaking, falling down and going in circles. I really hope he is going to be ok.

[Nancy in New York]

Just precious!

[Jen413]

Oh my goodness! He is so cute!

[cava]

He is ADORABLE!!

[SPP1988]

Can any of y'all estimate his age based on these pics? And he is a cutie, isn't he 😊

[Chickenlegs]

Looks like he's 6/8 weeks old. I'd err on the 6 week side.

[kcassidy]

It would be so much more helpful if you could show us a video of him, that would let us see his behavior. Although, his photos are just ADORABLE What a cutie!

I have a Neuro baby right now, I can share his video if you think it will help, but IMO we need to see your guy in action

[SPP1988]

It says my video is too large to share on here.

[SPP1988]

I'm uploading the video to YouTube. Will post link when it's done

[SPP1988]

Hopefully this works....
https://youtu.be/0sT2r3Jg6Lg

[Nancy in New York]

Definitely not normal.....but boy is he cute.
I can totally see what you described in your first post.
This makes sense since he fell from 20 feet, as it looks
like head trauma.
Do you have prednisone?
Wondering if a short course would help with the head swelling
he may have.

[SPP1988]

I do not have prednisone unfortunately 😞