Found baby squirrel next to dead baby squirrel

[sdela]

Hello,

Yesterday evening we found a baby squirrel next to it's dead sibling underneath one of our trees. It didn't have any injuries and was just lying next to it. I had no problems picking it up and we brought it inside our home where we have been giving it heat and attempting to hydrate. We are a bird family and had an extra cage and bird snuggle hammock we are using as it's temporary bed. We placed a warm bottle next to the hammock and also a heated rice buddy. The little one already has greyish hair and a furry tail and it's eyes are wide open. At one point, it climbed to and around my shoulders, which I see as a great sign. Is it safe to attempt letting climb it's tree? What do I do if it does, i.e. how do I know it will be OK? My next step would be to take it to a rehab place. I have been using a water, salt, sugar formula I found online to hydrate (1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 2 cups water). It only took a little bit, but I've been learning a lot from this site about how to properly give the hydration! Thanks for your insights/ recommendations

[Mel1959]

Does the baby have a fluffy tail or a thin tail covered with short hair?

It undoubtedly is too young to be on its own. You can play the baby squirrel cry recording and see if mom will come and claim it. In the emergency section on this forum is an hour long recording of a baby crying. Play it from your phone with the volume on loud. Place the warm baby in a shallow box with a blanket in an area near where found. You must stand away and monitor the baby to see if mom comes and to be sure no predators come. If mom is in the area it doesn’t usually take long for her to retrieve the baby. Mommy squirrels will retrieve babies in the daytime, not at night or dusk.

If she doesn’t come then you must get the baby to a rehabber as it will need to be fed the proper formula and will likely need many more weeks before it is old enough to live on its own.

You can search these links on this TSB thread for rehabilitators that might be close by. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...life-Rehabbers

[stepnstone]

If this baby can not be reunited with it's mother please do not take to a facility as due to covid among other factors it would be euthanized.
I am a licensed rehabilitator close to you in Olney, I can take it in where it will have others to grow with.
I am presently out of town at my release site but will be back around 7pm. I will private message you my phone number where you can reach me.
it would be best to text first so I will know to answer.

[sdela]

Thanks so much! It's thin covered with short hair. I did see the recording and will try this method to attract it's Mom. I'll keep u posted!

Does the baby have a fluffy tail or a thin tail covered with short hair?

It undoubtedly is too young to be on its own. You can play the baby squirrel cry recording and see if mom will come and claim it. In the emergency section on this forum is an hour long recording of a baby crying. Play it from your phone with the volume on loud. Place the warm baby in a shallow box with a blanket in an area near where found. You must stand away and monitor the baby to see if mom comes and to be sure no predators come. If mom is in the area it doesn’t usually take long for her to retrieve the baby. Mommy squirrels will retrieve babies in the daytime, not at night or dusk.

If she doesn’t come then you must get the baby to a rehabber as it will need to be fed the proper formula and will likely need many more weeks before it is old enough to live on its own.

You can search these links on this TSB thread for rehabilitators that might be close by. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...life-Rehabbers

[sdela]

This is good to know. Thank you. I was reading the reviews of the rehab facility closest to me and was concerned with several recent negative reviews.

I'll contact you today! Thanks for your PM.

If this baby can not be reunited with it's mother please do not take to a facility as due to covid among other factors it would be euthanized.
I am a licensed rehabilitator close to you in Olney, I can take it in where it will have others to grow with.
I am presently out of town at my release site but will be back around 7pm. I will private message you my phone number where you can reach me.
it would be best to text first so I will know to answer.

[sdela]

I am attaching some pictures of the little one this morning.

Hello,

Yesterday evening we found a baby squirrel next to it's dead sibling underneath one of our trees. It didn't have any injuries and was just lying next to it. I had no problems picking it up and we brought it inside our home where we have been giving it heat and attempting to hydrate. We are a bird family and had an extra cage and bird snuggle hammock we are using as it's temporary bed. We placed a warm bottle next to the hammock and also a heated rice buddy. The little one already has greyish hair and a furry tail and it's eyes are wide open. At one point, it climbed to and around my shoulders, which I see as a great sign. Is it safe to attempt letting climb it's tree? What do I do if it does, i.e. how do I know it will be OK? My next step would be to take it to a rehab place. I have been using a water, salt, sugar formula I found online to hydrate (1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 2 cups water). It only took a little bit, but I've been learning a lot from this site about how to properly give the hydration! Thanks for your insights/ recommendations

[sdela]

Update: we were unable to reunite with mommy squirrel, but now it's in good hands with Pete, Barrie, and Russel! Thank you! Please keep us posted on "Lulu's" rehabilitation and eventual release!

Hello,

Yesterday evening we found a baby squirrel next to it's dead sibling underneath one of our trees. It didn't have any injuries and was just lying next to it. I had no problems picking it up and we brought it inside our home where we have been giving it heat and attempting to hydrate. We are a bird family and had an extra cage and bird snuggle hammock we are using as it's temporary bed. We placed a warm bottle next to the hammock and also a heated rice buddy. The little one already has greyish hair and a furry tail and it's eyes are wide open. At one point, it climbed to and around my shoulders, which I see as a great sign. Is it safe to attempt letting climb it's tree? What do I do if it does, i.e. how do I know it will be OK? My next step would be to take it to a rehab place. I have been using a water, salt, sugar formula I found online to hydrate (1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 2 cups water). It only took a little bit, but I've been learning a lot from this site about how to properly give the hydration! Thanks for your insights/ recommendations

[stepnstone]

Thank you Sabrina for rescuing this baby.
Little girl is feisty, has spunk but her condition is fragile. I believe she would have crashed if
she were left on her own another day. The next 24-72 hours hopefully will be her turning point.

Thank you Pete and Barrie for answering my call without hesitation to sustain this baby while
I made my way back and even bring to me on my arrival. I really appreciate you stepping up
on such a short notice which was actually, no notice.

Thank you Jack for being the go between on messages due to my lack of phone service.

As the saying goes "it takes a village." This "village" works and TSB still Rocks!

[Charley Chuckles]

Lulu is a lucky little girl 🥰
Thank you all for helping this sweet darling

[stepnstone]

I have been using a water, salt, sugar formula I found online to hydrate (1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 2 cups water).

You were on the right track with a slight correction to your mixture...
(1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, *2 cups water. ~ *The correct mix should be 1 cup (8 oz) water.

The importance of electrolytes when it comes to dehydration is simply that they are needed and the often suggestion of the use of sugar water is not going to cut it!
Electrolytes are essential minerals that are vital and responsible for regulating critical bodily functions and dehydration impairs these functions due to the body being low on electrolytes. Once fully hydrated plain water or water with a tad sugar or honey for taste may help maintain fluid levels but it is no substitute for needed electrolytes on a dehydrated body.

I feared little Lu was beginning to crash. She needed nourishment that she was not going to be able to process due to dehydration and with only taking 2-3 cc's at a time she couldn't orally consume enough hydration fluid to hydrate. Her bowel movement was water runs which only adds to the dehydration. I subqued her twice, put her on the brat formula and she is now eagerly eating at 5% and has already given me a few tiny but perfect little poops. I feel pretty confident in saying she is turning the needed corner to get her where she needs to be.

Little Lu's first few feedings put her in a food trance doing the "guppy mouth." The only way I could get her out of it was by wiping her mouth and then she would dive back into the nipple like it was trying to get away.

She is a little sweet heart.



Little Lu will be getting into her own forum directly....

[redwuff]

[/COLOR][/U] The importance of electrolytes when it comes to dehydration is simply that they are needed and the often suggestion of the use of sugar water is not going to cut it!
Electrolytes are essential minerals that are vital and responsible for regulating critical bodily functions and dehydration impairs these functions due to the body being low on electrolytes. Once fully hydrated plain water or water with a tad sugar or honey for taste may help maintain fluid levels but it is no substitute for needed electrolytes on a dehydrated body.

Thank you Russel. The lack of electrolytes is what killed Karen Carpenter for those of you old enough to remember her. The minerals in our rehydration formula is the salt. Taking the salt out is is basically making a formula for a constipation formula. Sugar draws water into the large intestine causing contractions to expel feces. That is the opposite of what a dehydrated baby needs.

[stepnstone]

Thank you Russel. The lack of electrolytes is what killed Karen Carpenter for those of you old enough to remember her. The minerals in our rehydration formula is the salt. Taking the salt out is is basically making a formula for a constipation formula. Sugar draws water into the large intestine causing contractions to expel feces. That is the opposite of what a dehydrated baby needs.

Exactly, and I was obviously correct about her starting to crash. Having the water runs cost her grams instead of allowing needed weight gain.
Even though after being subbed she eagerly ate well through all feedings yesterday, I weighed her first thing this morning and she is still 5 grams
below the 122 grams she came in at.

[stepnstone]

Little Lu will be getting into her own forum directly....

Now in; The Nursery - Lil Lu and Cassie too

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...amp-Cassie-too