Mom brought home a baby squirrel and now it's my responsibility, idk what to do.

[Trisha]

Hi. I literally just made this account as soon as I found out about this website. My mom brought home this three week old baby squirrel and I'm now responsible for it. Now I do have experience dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, etc. However squirrels just ain't one of them. I did Google some ways to feed its and what to not feed it like cows milk. (Thank God I stopped my mom in time.) Now my main issue is that I don't have proper food for it. Right now I'm just trying to get some fluid in it. I read that sugar water was a good emergency fluid to get it hydrated.

[BigNibbler]

You need a heating pad, on low, that does not shut off, and that the baby can crawl away from. So like under half its small space.
Baby must be 101 degrees F before ingesting anything.
Search for home made Pedialyte or hydration fluid, w water, suger, salt.
Or dilute Pedialyte 1/2.
Fluid should be warm enough so that it remains over 100 degrees warm while feeding.

Need a 1cc syringe and a nipple. Not a dropper, or bottle!!!!

Baby must be above the syringe, with syringe coming up from bottom. You need to really control the fluid movement in the syringe to be in sync with what he can swallow. A tad more and he will get formula in his lungs... BIG DEAL BAD!!!
A bit slower than wants and he will stop.
You need to stimulate them to pee and poop.

Loads of posts about feeding a baby...
Henry's Healthy Pets, and as you said - google!

OH! and be sure to thank your mom for caring to rescue the little one!

[Charley Chuckles]

https://henryspets.com/pages/baby-squirrel

GO HERE FOR BABY HELP 👍
FEEL FREE TO COME BACK TO THIS THREAD FOR ANY QUESTIONS AND PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED ❤️

[Trisha]

Thank you. I have been using a dripper because it's the only thing on hand at the moment. However the squirrel is more so suckling on a cloth for milk. So what I've done is soak the rag in sugar water for the moment and let it do its thing. I have been using a heating pad. However the only bad feature is that it turns off automatically. I have been up all night Surveiling it and constantly turning on the heater pad.

[BigNibbler]

Thank you. I have been using a dripper because it's the only thing on hand at the moment. However the squirrel is more so suckling on a cloth for milk. So what I've done is soak the rag in sugar water for the moment and let it do its thing. I have been using a heating pad. However the only bad feature is that it turns off automatically. I have been up all night Surveiling it and constantly turning on the heater pad.

Think you should turn the baby over to someone with more experience and with more babies. Needs a sibling or two to snuggle and play with.
Needs more fluids than the cloth will provide.
Needs formula in 24 hours, after sufficient hydration.
Could end up being more dehydrated, and this may not end well.

[Trisha]

I have been trying to convince my mom that all day. We even been calling the wild rescue and the humane society, but unfortunately they won't take it. We don't know anyone else who has experience with baby squirrels to take it. My mom has fortunately been reading these forums too and went out to get the things you guys have suggested. Definitely a big help!! Now it's asleep wrapped up and on a heating pad.

[BigNibbler]

I have been trying to convince my mom that all day. We even been calling the wild rescue and the humane society, but unfortunately they won't take it. We don't know anyone else who has experience with baby squirrels to take it. My mom has fortunately been reading these forums too and went out to get the things you guys have suggested. Definitely a big help!! Now it's asleep wrapped up and on a heating pad.

Wrapped up? He has to be able to crawl off heat if too hot.
Cloth with no loops to catch nails.
Plastic box with air holes top and low down.
Cloths.
Heat over half of box.

Need scale to weigh him in grams. Because his stomach capacity is only known by his weight.
6% of his weight is what each serving should be, and find the feeding chart of times... but about every three hours, 'cept at night.

You need to practice with moving the syringe, so it is very controlled, and not a sudden spurt.
They tend bind.

What are you doing for formula ? Or going to do ?

[Trisha]

Yes. The squirrel can crawl out. It wasnt tightly wrapped up. The blanket doesn't have holes and the heating pad is on its lowest setting. My mom has experience with feeding new born kittens that's been abandoned so she is the one feed it became she has more control with the syringe. As for the formula we have been using goats milk miixed with plain yogurt, and heavy whipped cream which was suggested in the emergency feeding section of a forum of this page. we know it's not a forever solution but it helps until my mom can find the proper formula we need. Any formula brands we need to advoid?

[BigNibbler]

Follow the info on this forum and you will do well. Just mind the dates and read multiple views if possible.

I am a mechanical sort. So I want to ensure CO2 which is heavier than air falls out the bottom and fresh air can come in somewhere .
But more important is his temperature. Hydration. Proper feeding posture and speed.
Feed temperature.
Formula ingredients mixing and he has to be stimulated to pee and poop before and after feeding.

gently wipe any milk or urine of course off him with a toasty warm moist cloth and dry him so he does not lose heat.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Please get a 1mL o-ring syringe for feeding. Not sure what you mean by dripper but stop using it. Syringe plunger control is extremely important as baby can suck just as much as you push so control is very important. If too much comes out, you may be faced with aspirated pneumonia.

Make sure baby is being fed upright with syringe pointing upwards at an angle. Do not feed baby squirrels like a human baby.

As note above by CC, please read this guide to help.

https://henryspets.com/pages/baby-squirrel

TSB is here to help with any questions you have. Ask if needed.

MrSSG

[Trisha]

Thank you guys so much. You've been so helpful to us. I'll definitely keep reading through guide and keep an update.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Baby squirrels are fragile so go slow. Read and re-read the Henry guide and comments by BigNibbler here.

Don't rush......WARM, HYDRATE, then FEED. Ask all the questions you need. Lots of squirrel experience on TSB.