Baby Southern Flyer Help!

[KNB]

Hey everybody! I live in Louisiana in the woods and my 2 cats were playing with something and we always investigate to see exactly what it is. Well this time it was a baby flying squirrel. We have them all in the trees in our yard. I’ve (I guess the right word is) rehabbed 2 fox squirrels over the years but I’m finding that this little guy is a little different. I found him on the 30th of September so this Monday I’ve had him for 3 weeks. He’s eating doing great on the formula and growing so fast. Friday my Henry’s blocks came in and today is the first day he’s actually eating it. And I think he loves them. He’s been in a pretty good size soft carrier with mesh sides. He hasn’t started jumping yet but he’s climbing all on me when he’s done eating after dark. Otherwise he still just eats and wants to be in his pouch with me or under his blankets in his carrier and goes back to sleep. I usually spend about a hour after I feed him after dark just letting him do whatever he wants but then he’s curls up in my pocket and goes to sleep.
Here are my questions.
-how long before I introduce other foods and water?
-he’s just now starting to move around and climb on the mesh part of the carrier. When do I need to move him to a bigger cage?
-and does everything I said in the first paragraph all sound okay and am I on the right track?
I guess I need some reassurance that everything sounds good.
Thank y’all so much!

[TomahawkFlyers]

KNB! Thank you so very much for saving this flyer! He will be a gentle and dear companion to you for years and years, and years after that.

Regarding nutrition, here is a synopsis for you from our "Squirrel Nutrition" section:

• 0 through 3 Weeks: Homemade goat's milk formula (Thank you, Island Rehabber)

3 parts goat’s milk*
1 part heavy whipping cream
1 part vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

• 4 through 5 or 6 Weeks: Esbilac powdered puppy milk replacer

• 6 or 7 weeks through to solids: Fox Valley 20/50

Your squirrel will let you know when it is time to transition to solids. S/he will drink less and ultimately turn his/her head away when formula is offered. With our Tomahawk Flyers, when they start reducing intake of 20/50, we squirt some on a block and offer that to them. If they don't take it today, offer a fresh one again tomorrow until they learn just how delicious blocks are. During the sixth and seventh week as the flyer starts eating solids and taking in less formula, you need to introduce fresh water and provide a new bowl of fresh water every day. Many flyers will continue to take formula in smaller amounts for weeks beyond the introduction of solids and water. Let your flyer have its fill. One day, sooner or later, the desire/need for formula (20/50) will stop and your flyer will be wearing his or her "big boy" or "big girl" pants. Please do look at the following links for a thorough understanding of squirrel/flyer nutrition. These documents have been written by some of the most knowledgable people around:
https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/
https://henryspets.com/special-notes...ing-squirrels/
https://henryspets.com/picky-eaters/

Add to your reading list the following to know the signs of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a top killer of squirrels in captivity. The great news is that it can be pretty much entirely avoided if the squirrel/flyer is given a consistently appropriate diet. The second link gives specific steps to take immediately if MBD is suspected:
https://henryspets.com/what-is-metabolic-bone-disease/
https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/


From your description, it appears that your flyer has developed an extraordinary bond with you. You are fortunate - when a flyer is taken in later in life they usually don't develop a deep and strong bond. For better or worse, in sickness and health, you are now "Mom." Revel in it. Your flyer will need more space pretty soon. It will be good to hang the bonding pouch in the new cage (though a little pricey, I strongly recommend the Midwest Critter Nation (not Ferret Nation) double high. Flyers instinctually find a sense of safety in heights. After agility has been established, take out the floor of the top unit and the ceiling of the bottom unit and stack the remaining pieces back together. This will provide a great deal of room for jumping and gliding during the night while you sleep. One of the greatest gifts you can give your flyer is lots of out-of-cage time with you. Waking hours for flyers are dusk 'till dawn.

Last, there is a young man named Craig who recently rescued a baby flyer (now named "Tyrant") and has - within the past two months, gone through what you are experiencing now. His and Tyrant's is a grand success story, and his thread, linked below, is packed full of information about questions you will likely have over the next couple of months.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...ighlight=craig

Please! If you have questions as you move along on this terrific journey, stop by and ask. We will answer. In the meantime, it would be so appreciated if you could post some pictures of your flyer, let us know if it is a boy or girl, and tell us his or her name if you've gotten that far. One very last thing, (for now,) it is a good idea to find a squirrel friendly vet now, so when the time comes that you need such help, you won't have to panic trying to find a professional while under stress. The important thing is to find one who won't euthanize or confiscate a healthy flyer because of a state law or regulation. Ask careful and specific questions about this before you visit with your flyer to avoid trouble.

Thanks for being here - let us know how else we can help you!

Jamie

[KNB]

KNB! Thank you so very much for saving this flyer! He will be a gentle and dear companion to you for years and years, and years after that.

Regarding nutrition, here is a synopsis for you from our "Squirrel Nutrition" section:

• 0 through 3 Weeks: Homemade goat's milk formula (Thank you, Island Rehabber)

3 parts goat’s milk*
1 part heavy whipping cream
1 part vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

• 4 through 5 or 6 Weeks: Esbilac powdered puppy milk replacer

• 6 or 7 weeks through to solids: Fox Valley 20/50

Your squirrel will let you know when it is time to transition to solids. S/he will drink less and ultimately turn his/her head away when formula is offered. With our Tomahawk Flyers, when they start reducing intake of 20/50, we squirt some on a block and offer that to them. If they don't take it today, offer a fresh one again tomorrow until they learn just how delicious blocks are. During the sixth and seventh week as the flyer starts eating solids and taking in less formula, you need to introduce fresh water and provide a new bowl of fresh water every day. Many flyers will continue to take formula in smaller amounts for weeks beyond the introduction of solids and water. Let your flyer have its fill. One day, sooner or later, the desire/need for formula (20/50) will stop and your flyer will be wearing his or her "big boy" or "big girl" pants. Please do look at the following links for a thorough understanding of squirrel/flyer nutrition. These documents have been written by some of the most knowledgable people around:
https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/
https://henryspets.com/special-notes...ing-squirrels/
https://henryspets.com/picky-eaters/

Add to your reading list the following to know the signs of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a top killer of squirrels in captivity. The great news is that it can be pretty much entirely avoided if the squirrel/flyer is given a consistently appropriate diet. The second link gives specific steps to take immediately if MBD is suspected:
https://henryspets.com/what-is-metabolic-bone-disease/
https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/


From your description, it appears that your flyer has developed an extraordinary bond with you. You are fortunate - when a flyer is taken in later in life they usually don't develop a deep and strong bond. For better or worse, in sickness and health, you are now "Mom." Revel in it. Your flyer will need more space pretty soon. It will be good to hang the bonding pouch in the new cage (though a little pricey, I strongly recommend the Midwest Critter Nation (not Ferret Nation) double high. Flyers instinctually find a sense of safety in heights. After agility has been established, take out the floor of the top unit and the ceiling of the bottom unit and stack the remaining pieces back together. This will provide a great deal of room for jumping and gliding during the night while you sleep. One of the greatest gifts you can give your flyer is lots of out-of-cage time with you. Waking hours for flyers are dusk 'till dawn.

Last, there is a young man named Craig who recently rescued a baby flyer (now named "Tyrant") and has - within the past two months, gone through what you are experiencing now. His and Tyrant's is a grand success story, and his thread, linked below, is packed full of information about questions you will likely have over the next couple of months.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...ighlight=craig

Please! If you have questions as you move along on this terrific journey, stop by and ask. We will answer. In the meantime, it would be so appreciated if you could post some pictures of your flyer, let us know if it is a boy or girl, and tell us his or her name if you've gotten that far. One very last thing, (for now,) it is a good idea to find a squirrel friendly vet now, so when the time comes that you need such help, you won't have to panic trying to find a professional while under stress. The important thing is to find one who won't euthanize or confiscate a healthy flyer because of a state law or regulation. Ask careful and specific questions about this before you visit with your flyer to avoid trouble.

Thanks for being here - let us know how else we can help you!

Jamie

Thank you so much for your reply. We named him Ace. I think I was going to order that cage for my last fox squirrel but it was back ordered and I ended up getting the Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Flight Cage with Stand. It’s a little smaller but I think I might order the one you suggested. Is it normal that he’s not much for playing at all. He likes to get in the bend of my arm and he just hangs out and looks around. He gets a little excited every once in a while and kind of hops a little but that’s it. I have a great vet who we know very well and have used for the last 10 years and he would be more than happy to help me with anything we need so I’m glad I have that! And he’s still very excited for his formula and he is eating his blocks. I know with my others they didn’t want to eat the blocks after real food and I don’t want to rush it with him so is that okay? I’m going to try and attach a couple of pictures. He’s not the best at holding still for me to take them.
Just any other suggestions you or anyone can give will be greatly appreciated!

[TomahawkFlyers]

Oh, My! What a sweet little bit of a thing!

Don't worry about playfulness at this stage of the game. He is not even an infant yet - much more of a baby. He doesn't yet know how to play. He wants to snuggle with you to stay warm and safe. A bonding pouch that he can hang around in while with you will help him make the transition to the cage when you hang it up in there at your bedtime each night. Like human babies, he will reach the flyer equivalent of two years old (7-8 weeks or so) and he will want to play with you. A lot. Really, a lot. If you buy the critter nation, you will not be sorry. It is the one with the horizontal bars. Flyers love to use those to climb on. Check Craig's thread to see how he has dressed Tyrant's cage.

From looking at Ace, he's maybe 3.5-5 weeks? If you can get a weight on him, I can be more precise. If that is fairly accurate, he should still be on the Esbilac powdered puppy formula. He's so small, I'd keep him on the Esbilac through week six. Blocks at this age are a big ask of such a little guy - my advice would be to put those in the freezer and reintroduce them in the final stages of the Fox Valley 20/50 formula. Start the Fox Valley at week seven, mixing it with Esbilac for the first three days at the following ratios: 75% Esbilac/25% Fox Valley; 50/50; and, 25/75, and reintroduce the blocks at week 8. He'll remember them and go for them - this time able to chew and digest much better than before. (Not to cause you undue concern, but I do wonder - if Ace is indeed being abnormally quiet - does he have a tummy ache from not being able to process the blocks he's currently getting?) At week 8, it will also be ok to introduce him to other solids from the safe foods list linked above. As he weans off of formula, be sure to have clean fresh water to continue good hydration. Let him have Fox Valley until he finally refuses it.

A question or two for you? First, in picture 2, on Ace's forehead, are those spots just mussed fur? Stray dried formula? Something else? Second, in picture 4, is that Ace as of now? When you rescued him? If now, he's younger than I thought, In picture 5, just a big, happy congratulations to you for holding the formula at an angle that helps so much to rule out aspiration and for setting Ace up so he's nursing instead of having the formula pushed into him. I suspect, from this picture, that you know about aspiration pneumonia and how to avoid it.

Ace is a lucky little flyer, and you're a lucky Flyer "Mom." Whatever questions come up, please, ask away. When Ace reaches milestones or does cool things, brag about it right here on TSB!

Jamie

[KNB]

Oh, My! What a sweet little bit of a thing!

Don't worry about playfulness at this stage of the game. He is not even an infant yet - much more of a baby. He doesn't yet know how to play. He wants to snuggle with you to stay warm and safe. A bonding pouch that he can hang around in while with you will help him make the transition to the cage when you hang it up in there at your bedtime each night. Like human babies, he will reach the flyer equivalent of two years old (7-8 weeks or so) and he will want to play with you. A lot. Really, a lot. If you buy the critter nation, you will not be sorry. It is the one with the horizontal bars. Flyers love to use those to climb on. Check Craig's thread to see how he has dressed Tyrant's cage.

From looking at Ace, he's maybe 3.5-5 weeks? If you can get a weight on him, I can be more precise. If that is fairly accurate, he should still be on the Esbilac powdered puppy formula. He's so small, I'd keep him on the Esbilac through week six. Blocks at this age are a big ask of such a little guy - my advice would be to put those in the freezer and reintroduce them in the final stages of the Fox Valley 20/50 formula. Start the Fox Valley at week seven, mixing it with Esbilac for the first three days at the following ratios: 75% Esbilac/25% Fox Valley; 50/50; and, 25/75, and reintroduce the blocks at week 8. He'll remember them and go for them - this time able to chew and digest much better than before. (Not to cause you undue concern, but I do wonder - if Ace is indeed being abnormally quiet - does he have a tummy ache from not being able to process the blocks he's currently getting?) At week 8, it will also be ok to introduce him to other solids from the safe foods list linked above. As he weans off of formula, be sure to have clean fresh water to continue good hydration. Let him have Fox Valley until he finally refuses it.

A question or two for you? First, in picture 2, on Ace's forehead, are those spots just mussed fur? Stray dried formula? Something else? Second, in picture 4, is that Ace as of now? When you rescued him? If now, he's younger than I thought, In picture 5, just a big, happy congratulations to you for holding the formula at an angle that helps so much to rule out aspiration and for setting Ace up so he's nursing instead of having the formula pushed into him. I suspect, from this picture, that you know about aspiration pneumonia and how to avoid it.

Ace is a lucky little flyer, and you're a lucky Flyer "Mom." Whatever questions come up, please, ask away. When Ace reaches milestones or does cool things, brag about it right here on TSB!

Jamie

Thank you!! That helps a lot. I’ll cut the clocks for now and get the fox valley ordered. And I’ve got to get new batteries for my scale today and I’ll get a new weight on him. I know his eyes opened on the 3rd of this month.
The picture in my husbands hand was the last day of September when we found him and me feeding him was the first time eating with the miracle nipple and that was on the 5th of October. His hair on his head is always all over the place. I make sure to wipe the formula off when he’s done he’s kind of a messy eater so I think it’s from that and then he goes and sleeps (really hard I usually find him on his back sprawled out under his blankets when I feed him next).
Thank you and any and all other advice is appreciated!!

[TomahawkFlyers]

OK, so it looks like we're in the ballpark on age. Good for you for wiping the wild formula away - it keeps scald from becoming a problem. Looking forward to the weight!

Jamie

[KNB]

OK, so it looks like we're in the ballpark on age. Good for you for wiping the wild formula away - it keeps scald from becoming a problem. Looking forward to the weight!

Jamie

Okay I just got the scale to work. He’s 34g.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Excellent. He's roughly half way - maybe a tiny bit more - to full size. Please refer back to the schedule in the last post. That should get him to where he needs to be. In my experience, it is too early for block and other solids, even if he's being a good troop and trying to eat them. Knowing his weight, I'd venture that he is having a hard time digesting and probably doesn't feel so good. The right food at the right time should take care of that!

Thanks for the info - I hope this helps. Ask away when you want to/need to.

Jamie

[KNB]

Excellent. He's roughly half way - maybe a tiny bit more - to full size. Please refer back to the schedule in the last post. That should get him to where he needs to be. In my experience, it is too early for block and other solids, even if he's being a good troop and trying to eat them. Knowing his weight, I'd venture that he is having a hard time digesting and probably doesn't feel so good. The right food at the right time should take care of that!

Thanks for the info - I hope this helps. Ask away when you want to/need to.

Jamie

Thank you so much. His poop is firm so that makes me feel better. Just that he’s pooping and it’s normal so I’m glad I asked about the blocks before it got to be too much for him. I’m almost positive I’ll have more questions in the future and I’ll try to post some more pictures as he’s growing.

[TomahawkFlyers]