Rescued 6/7 week old baby squirrel, looking for rehab. facility in Montreal, QC

[MrSeptember]

Hi,

I live in Montreal, Quebec, and I just found an abandoned baby squirrel in Parc La Fontaine.

From what I've read online, she (I think it's a she) must be about 6 or 7 weeks old. She doesn't appear to be eating much, if any, solid food right now. I gave her pedialyte at first and now have her on Esbilac (a puppy formula). She has teeth, but isn't eating any of the solid food I've offered her (apple pieces, sunflower seeds, lettuce, etc). I have been feeding her about 10 mls of Esbilac every few hours, heated to body temperature. I also gave her a sock filled with rice, which I heat up fairly regularly for about 50 seconds in the microwave, and she's been sleeping with it.

When I found her, she was covered with little brown flies, and she had several minor wounds that were scabbing over - I think possibly from biting herself due to the flies. I gave her a bath in a diluted dishsoap solution and brushed her lightly with a toothbrush to dislodge any eggs. I haven't seen any flies on her since then, and her wounds seem to be healing well with no infection. I have checked her over carefully, and she isn't showing any signs of injury or sickness other than that. She is eating and urinating regularly.

I currently have her in a rabbit cage, but I've lined around the lower half of the cage with cardboard because I was worried she would be able to squeeze through the bars. She cannot jump high enough to get above the cardboard yet.

I don't at all mind caring for her until she's old enough to be on her own (around 18 weeks?), and I have cared for one or two baby squirrels before, but I know it would probably be better for her if she were rehabilitated with other squirrels, if possible, so she can build proper social skills (at least I read that that is important).

Does anyone know of any rehabilitation centres for wild animals that she could go to? Once again, I don't mind taking care of her but I would like her to get the best care possible.

Thanks,

-S

[farrelli]

We have a few members in Montreal, so hopefully someone will know of someone who has room. Unfortunately, there seem to be just so many babies needing help this year that many people are pretty much full up, so it great to know that you're open to caring for him if necessary.

What kind of Esbilac are you giving? The powder that has the band at the top listing probiotics? That's the one to use. Are you using a 1 or 3 cc syringe? Are you following proper feeding technique:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...DING-TECHNIQUE!!

He's getting old enough to put some rodent blocks in there with him to nibble on so one of our Canadian members will tell you what's easy to get up there.

Could you provide a pic or two?

Don;t use towels as bedding, use fleece, flannel, or t-shirts.

Welcome to TSB!

[astra]

Hi and welcome!

This is way past my bedtime so I will be quick.

Please don't bring her anywhere yet.
Especially, please do not bring her to SPCA.

Also, please keep checking here often, and please keep checking your private messages - someone will try to contact you.

If you do not mind caring for her - that will be AWESOME, because it's raining and pouring babies, but there are very few hands who can care for them.
BUT - even you end up caring for her, we will help you so you won't be left on your own.

In the meantime, please follow all the instructions here.

It's super busy right now, but someone will be in touch with you.

So, please keep checking here, and your PMs.

And thank you for caring.

[MrSeptember]

It's just the regular Esbilac, the website I read did not specify that it needed to be that kind, but she's only been eating it for one day and I can go get the other kind tomorrow. I'm using a 3 cc syringe, and yes, that is the technique I have been using to feed her! Thank you for the information.

She just has regular cotton bedding, no towels. I read that somewhere as well, not sure where... I've been reading a lot about squirrels since I got her, so it's all sort of blurred together.

Here are a few photos:

[farrelli]

She's super cute! I'm sure you love her already.

This is the kind of Esbilac you want:

[MrSeptember]

Hi Astra,

Don't worry, there's no way I'd take her to the SPCA. I definitely would only take her to a no-kill rehabilitation centre, and I'd rather hang on to her and care for her myself than send her somewhere where I don't know she'll be cared for.

I will check here daily, and I can be reached by email at september.cowley@gmail.com if anything urgent comes up.

I do not mind caring for her at all, I am only interested in finding somewhere else for her if it will be better for her than to stay with me. Otherwise I will just take care of her until she's old enough to be re-released.

Thanks for help, as well. I didn't expect to hear back from anyone until tomorrow.

She (once again, not positive it's a girl) is looking much healthier and more lively than when I found her - when I first got her she couldn't even climb the tree she was hanging onto, she was so weak.

[farrelli]

Btw, you want the one on the right. The one on the left is the old kind which isn't good. Also, the pre-mixed liquid kind with the same puppy on the front isn't great either.

[MrSeptember]

Farelli - thanks, I will go track that down tomorrow. And yes, she's very cute and I'm very fond of her I just want her to grow up healthy and wild enough that she'll be safe from other humans, dogs, etc. when she goes back out into the world.

[farrelli]

Males are pretty easily identifiable. Their penis will be up around where you'd expect a belly button.

I forgot to mention that you should make sure she's well hydrated. Gently pinch the skin between the shoulders and make sure it goes right back down like on the back of your hand and doesn't tent. Pedialyte is only good for 24 hrs because the salt becomes counterproductive, and no Gatorade or sports drinks.

As to feeding, she should get 5-7% of body weight every feeding, about 4-5 hours. For example, a 100g squirrel would get 5-7CCs per feeding. Maybe a bit more if still hungry, but you'd have to watch to make sure she doesn't bloat and that the poops aren't whitish or mushy. If you don't have a scale you should probably get one. They tell you how much to feed and are the best way to judge proper progression. They will also allow us to dose drugs if they become necessary.

[MrSeptember]

Oh - if someone can tell me what kind of rodent block to get for her, I will pick that up tomorrow too.

[MrSeptember]

Farrelli - I already pinched her (lightly) to make sure she wasn't dehydrated, and her skin is normal, not standing up afterwards. I did read that she should get about that much food, but I don't have a scale, so I had to estimate (I read online that half a cup of water is about one hundred grams). I have only had her for two days and was not able to find anyone to ask before I got permission to post on here. Do you know where I can get a scale? I guess a kitchen store or head shop might have them.

[farrelli]

I'm always curious about availability in Canada. In the US, common ones are Kaytee Forti-Diet, Mazuri, and Harlan Teklad. Just make sure that they're not made from seeds and corn.

The best blocks are Henry's, the only ones specially made for squirrels. I know that some Canadians get them, but the shipping is high. It's not as high as the website will tell you, so if you're interested, you should call and they'll give you the real rate:

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

And for later, here is the proper diet for adults:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...-Pet-Squirrels

For babies, we recommend that they take formula for as long as they want, introduce blocks at around 6-8 weeks, and once they're really eating them and not just shredding them, then introduce veggies, then fruit and nut treats. If you introduce things before they get a taste for blocks, it can be hard to get them to eat them. Blocks or formula should be the cornerstone of a diet.

[farrelli]

Yeah, scales are everywhere. Target, Walmart, probably Canadian Tire, even some grocery stores. They're usually around $20-30 for a nice digital one.

[farrelli]

Btw, the Habs beat us tonight! Damn you!

Seriously though, I was rooting for them. I'm a wannbe Canadian. Allez Habs!

[MrSeptember]

Haha I don't own a T.V. and I've only lived here about two years, so I'm not that involved in sports, but I did hear half the city going crazy when we won

Thanks for all the info! That's very helpful, and it makes me feel better to know she'll get the proper food/care that she needs. I've been reading a lot of info on squirrel care online, but it's definitely better to talk to someone. I will call around pet stores in Montreal and see what they have, and I'll look into ordering the squirrel blocks if nothing seems promising. I'll keep you posted, anyways.

[island rehabber]

MrSeptember, and GREAT job, farrelli and astra, with this overnight thread!

MrS, you certainly sound capable of caring for this baby from what I've read so far, but you are absolutely correct that she will be better off with other babies to grow and be released with. Now that astra's got her Quebec network on alert you should be in great shape.

Astra, if you need me to put a post on Facebook about this to reach the squirrel folks in Quebec just let me know.

Oh! Almost forgot! What an absolutely adorable baby girl!!

[MrSeptember]

island rehabber, Thanks!

Yes, I have cared for many kinds of animals before and can take care of her as long as necessary, I don't mind at all. She has started to climb her cage and is doing very well. And yes, she's super cute!

I will keep checking back in here daily.

Thanks again

[iwonka]

MrSeptember...

I've sent you an email.

[iwonka]

I'm always curious about availability in Canada. In the US, common ones are Kaytee Forti-Diet, Mazuri, and Harlan Teklad. Just make sure that they're not made from seeds and corn.

.

Harlan Teklad in Canada: http://www.chinchilla.ca/detail.php?ProductID=HT201805

6.99$ for 5lb

[Madamelipstick]

Someone needs to add that link somewhere for future rescues. This baby is adorable. Sounds like your doing a great job so far.Stay with this board they will take you far Congrats on finding a bundle of joy. Kudoo's to you.