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Thread: Need help to save black baby squirrel

  1. #1
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    Default Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Hi, we found a young squirrel apparently requiring help.

    Key information:
    - it's black and fully furred, eyes open
    - it's very skinny, bones can be felt
    - after a very warm week outdoor temperatures dropped significantly, almost down to freezing point
    - when outside in the cold it's so weak it can hardly move
    - we looked around to find the nest where we found it, to no avail
    - we put it in a big plastic bin and brought it inside to warm it up for this night. Left them grapes, nuts, water ( first milk but there is conflicting information on the net)

    Now it is much more active but also very scared of course and it refuses to eat or drink!
    Because it's scared it's actually pretty cranky and aggressive and just wants to be let alone.

    What do we do?

    The previous night we left it outside in a wooden box with an opening so it could venture out. It stayed during the night and came out the next evening but, as I mentioned, very weak.

    I'm sure it could survive, it seems to be old enough, but it might be undernourished right now. We can not feed it by hand though. Should we leave it food and which exactly?

    Temperatures are not going to improve much for another week or so.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Can you post a picture? It doesn’t sound as though it’s capable of surviving well on its own by your description.

    We have a few members in Canada, but I don’t know that any are close. These two facilities have been recommended in the past. Maybe one of them could offer guidance. Stormhaven Garden Wildlife Rehabilitation 519-400-3108 and Ecureil Land. I don’t have a phone number for them but they have a Facebook page with info.

    The squirrel needs to be kept warm. I would not advise releasing it or putting it outside in inclement weather until you figure out what’s going on with it.

    Squirrels will usually eat avocado (no skin or pit), fresh coconut, sugar snap peas, sweet potato, butternut squash and of course nuts, in moderation.

    Squirrels are diurnal, they don’t venture out at night, unless something is wrong.

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  4. #3
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Quote Originally Posted by Mel1959 View Post
    Stormhaven Garden Wildlife Rehabilitation 519-400-3108 and Ecureil Land. I don’t have a phone number for them but they have a Facebook page with info.

    The squirrel needs to be kept warm.

    Squirrels will usually eat avocado (no skin or pit), fresh coconut, sugar snap peas, sweet potato, butternut squash and of course nuts, in moderation.
    .
    Thank you. Keeping it warm is definitely improving its condition. I don't know for how long though if it doesn't eat.

    I will see if I can contact these people you suggested, and will also try giving it some of the foods.

    If possible I will post a picture later today but it's overall so black, it's gonna be hard to see any details.

    When it was in the cold outside it would only lie down, a little warmer and it can walk but seems to struggle keeping its head up, as if it was to heavy. It's not able to stand or sit stable.

    I can't really feed it, it jumps towards my hand to defend itself.

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    I will cross-post this to rehabber friends on FB in Canada....see if you can wrap him in a soft t-shirt or piece of fleece to maximize heat. You can make an easy homemade hydration fluid with this:

    1 cup VERY warm water
    1.5 TABLEspoons sugar, or 1/2 TEAspoon honey
    1/4 teaspoon salt

    See if he will take it from a syringe, no needle of course), lapping the top as you gently push. Do not push down his throat!
    If not, will he lap from a small saucer or jar lid? He needs fluids to survive.
    Island Rehabber
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  8. #5
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Island rehabber

    Thanks,

    The very first day (last Sunday) it took some drops from a syringe. Now it doesn't. Just gets angry.

    However, reading your post it might not have been warm enough.

    I'll take your advice for the fluid, doing that as soon as I'm back home.

    I left a small lid with some water, I don't know if it drinks though. It definitely wanders around once I'm not around it seems.

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  10. #6
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Name:  DSC_0978.jpg
Views: 71
Size:  67.8 KB

    It's this little guy.

    I got it to drink from the syringe, finally. Couldn't get enough of it.

    How old might it be? When will it be ready to be released?

  11. #7
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    I think it looks to be about 10 weeks old. He still has a baby face. We don’t recommend releasing till 16+ weeks.

    This little guy needs formula if he’s not eating. You can make temporary homemade goats milk formula until you find someone to take him. The recipe is: 3 parts fresh goats milk (if using canned concentrate or powdered they must be reconstituted with water according to the label directions prior to mixing with other ingredients), 1 part heavy whipping cream and 1 part full fat vanilla yogurt (low fat will work). Mix well. Use the same method as you did giving the hydration solution. Go slow so he doesn’t aspirate.

    Offer as much hydration as he’ll take. He should be hydrated and warm before you feed him the formula.

    He will probably calm down some once he associates you with food and good things. Right know he thinks you will harm him.

    Put some blankets in with him or you can even put a non shut off heating pad outside and under one half of the container you have him in. Make sure he can move away from the heat if he gets too warm.

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  13. #8
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Quote Originally Posted by Mel1959 View Post

    This little guy needs formula if he’s not eating. You can make temporary homemade goats milk formula until you find someone to take him. The recipe is: 3 parts fresh goats milk (if using canned concentrate or powdered they must be reconstituted with water according to the label directions prior to mixing with other ingredients), 1 part heavy whipping cream and 1 part full fat vanilla yogurt (low fat will work). Mix well. Use the same method as you did giving the hydration solution.
    I will try that formula, thanks. The only thing I ever saw him eat until now was sunflower seeds.

    It doesn't touch any of the other stuff.

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  15. #9
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    How much does this little one weigh?
    He is just a baby, there is no way he would have
    made it without your intervention.
    At this age, formula should be his only food source.
    We feed according to their weight. "Rule of thumb,
    5-7% of their body weight at each feeding.
    Here's a link to raising baby squirrels.
    It's 6 short pages with the next button in the top
    right corner.
    https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/
    He needs to stay hydrated. Since Sunday, what exactly has
    he eaten, or drank?
    Have you tried to locate a rehabber?
    This little one is just precious!

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  17. #10
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy in New York View Post
    How much does this little one weigh?
    He is just a baby, there is no way he would have
    made it without your intervention.
    At this age, formula should be his only food source.
    We feed according to their weight. "Rule of thumb,
    5-7% of their body weight at each feeding.
    Here's a link to raising baby squirrels.
    It's 6 short pages with the next button in the top
    right corner.
    https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/
    He needs to stay hydrated. Since Sunday, what exactly has
    he eaten, or drank?
    Have you tried to locate a rehabber?
    This little one is just precious!
    Finding a rehabber around here will be hard, we live on the countryside and people are not really concerned with these animals.

    Next time I can try to weigh it, but when it doesn't sleep it is moving around quite a bit when I try to handle it. Still scared.

    Since Sunday I tried fruits , kale, brocoli stem, sweet potato. Doesn't touch any of these. It seems to like sunflower seeds a lot.

    It drinks the hydrating solution and it loves the formula with the goat milk.

    Have a look at this video I uploaded: https://youtu.be/L5GB2bcoG6s

    With the help you all are providing it may make it!

  18. Serious fuzzy thank you's to Paulstef from:

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  19. #11
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Paulstef, are you on Facebook at all? There is a rehabber in Quebec who may be able to help -- she knows others who are under the radar, as well. I will private message you her name, and you can contact her through FB. This baby is adorable but as everyone has said, he needs formula and the right foods to be prepared for the wild.
    Island Rehabber
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    "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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  21. #12
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Quote Originally Posted by Paulstef View Post
    Finding a rehabber around here will be hard, we live on the countryside and people are not really concerned with these animals.

    Next time I can try to weigh it, but when it doesn't sleep it is moving around quite a bit when I try to handle it. Still scared.

    Since Sunday I tried fruits , kale, brocoli stem, sweet potato. Doesn't touch any of these. It seems to like sunflower seeds a lot.

    It drinks the hydrating solution and it loves the formula with the goat milk.

    Have a look at this video I uploaded: https://youtu.be/L5GB2bcoG6s

    With the help you all are providing it may make it!
    Where are you exactly? There are sites on Facebook that you can reach out to whoo will help you and maybe could find you a foster family for him and release him when the time comes. You can contact SOS Écureuils Québec - both groups do speak English, no worry - or Entraide pour les Écureuils du Québec.

    P.S. I sent you a private message. You can reach me until midnight.
    "In the midst of our lives we must find the magic that makes our souls soar."
    My darling Scooter, beloved Hami, sweet gentle Simon... YOU are the ones who brought that magic in my life. You've changed the way I see all things around me now and, because of you, I want to be a better person. This is not goodbye, my sweethearts. You be at peace, your work here on earth is done... now you are finally, truly free. Until we meet at the Bridge again, please remember that I will always love you.
    The greatness of a nation can be measured by the way it treats its animals.
    - Gandhi -

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  23. #13
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Thank you all.

    With your guidance I was able to help it through the first couple of days and also to find a rehabber where I live.

    The woman even came to my house to pick it up.

    Now he's got a better chance and can soon go on with his squirrel life. :-D

    Awesome people.

  24. 6 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Paulstef:

    BCChins (06-03-2020), island rehabber (06-03-2020), jemmy (06-03-2020), Nancy in New York (06-03-2020), RockyPops (06-03-2020), Scooterzmom (06-03-2020)

  25. #14
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    What a wonderful update! Paulstef, it's raining like hell in the NYC area but this truly brightened my day!!
    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. '

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

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  27. #15
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    YaY for baby

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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Thank you for saving your baby!

  30. #17
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    WTG! Your baby can have a wonderful life now. Thank you for saving him!
    "In the midst of our lives we must find the magic that makes our souls soar."
    My darling Scooter, beloved Hami, sweet gentle Simon... YOU are the ones who brought that magic in my life. You've changed the way I see all things around me now and, because of you, I want to be a better person. This is not goodbye, my sweethearts. You be at peace, your work here on earth is done... now you are finally, truly free. Until we meet at the Bridge again, please remember that I will always love you.
    The greatness of a nation can be measured by the way it treats its animals.
    - Gandhi -

  31. #18
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    Default Re: Need help to save black baby squirrel

    Best outcome imaginable!! I was just coming here to suggest a treatment for the back legs paralysis, but this is even better news!!
    Squaddy to Hanzel , The sweetest Maloccluded boy in the world, and Gem - A jewel of a squirrel, who just happens to be paralyzed!

    RIP my sweet Rex . Wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge.

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