Needing baby squirrel advice. Any help appreciated.

[Ohmygoshababysquirrel]

Hello,

My husband came across a baby squirrel 8/31/19 on the sidewalk next to a busy road yesterday. We are in the south of Chicago. The baby came up to my husband and crawled on his shoe and tried grabbing at his pants leg.

He tried to take the baby to our vet but they were already closed. He brought the baby home and we set him up in a cat kennel. We put a heating pad on low with a t-shirt over it and left an area for baby to get away from heating pad if he needed. We also got him some Pedialyte and when we gave it to him he was furiously drinking.

I've been trying to call different rehabbers, but since it's a holiday weekend I haven't gotten many answers. The ones that have answered are not taking any squirrels right now.

I have no idea what to do. One thing that concerns me is the baby had a dried bloodied nose and I'm worried about head injury. His eyes are open, his legs and arms don't seem to be painful but I don't know anything about squirrels. I was looking for info on Reddit and they directed me to make a post here because there are a lot of rehabbers who frequent here?

One more thing I am worried about is baby was taking Pedialyte earlier and started making bubbles in his nose. Really worried this will make him sick. I looked in two stores for a small non metal syringe but am having A LOT of trouble.

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you for helping this little one.
I know this is all new to you, so I imagine your
supplies for caring for a baby squirrel are almost 0.
First off here's a link to baby squirrel care.
It's 6 concise pages long with the next button in the
top right corner.
https://www.henryspets.com/1-caring-...baby-squirrel/

You will need Esbilac Powdered Puppy formula pictured below.
You can buy this at most pet stores, or farm and tractor stores.

Go to the drug store and ask the pharmacist for some 1 cc syringes. Tell them that you
found a baby kitten, don't mention a squirrel.

Start looking around for an anitbiotic in case this is aspiration pneumonia.
All you will need is one pill and we can dose if you give us the weight of this
baby in grams. You will need Cipro Human ab. Baytril (animal ab.) Clavamox (animal) or Augmentin (Human)
Always feed the baby in an upright postion with the syringe facting the roof of it's mouth.

This little one is absolutely precious.
Thank you for helping him. You're his only hope.

If possible ask your hubby to go back to where this one was found.
Most likely, the mother was killed and the baby was looking for help.

Let me look for a phone number of a member that may be close to you.
If I find her contact info. I will pm it to you.

Edit: Members name and phone number sent in a pm.
Prayers that she can help this little one.

[Ohmygoshababysquirrel]

Thank you for helping this little one.
I know this is all new to you, so I imagine your
supplies for caring for a baby squirrel are almost 0.
First off here's a link to baby squirrel care.
It's 6 concise pages long with the next button in the
top right corner.
https://www.henryspets.com/1-caring-...baby-squirrel/

You will need Esbilac Powdered Puppy formula pictured below.
You can buy this at most pet stores, or farm and tractor stores.

Go to the drug store and ask the pharmacist for some 1 cc syringes. Tell them that you
found a baby kitten, don't mention a squirrel.

Start looking around for an anitbiotic in case this is aspiration pneumonia.
All you will need is one pill and we can dose if you give us the weight of this
baby in grams. You will need Cipro Human ab. Baytril (animal ab.) Clavamox (animal) or Augmentin (Human)
Always feed the baby in an upright postion with the syringe facting the roof of it's mouth.

This little one is absolutely precious.
Thank you for helping him. You're his only hope.

If possible ask your hubby to go back to where this one was found.
Most likely, the mother was killed and the baby was looking for help.

Let me look for a phone number of a member that may be close to you.
If I find her contact info. I will pm it to you.

Edit: Members name and phone number sent in a pm.
Prayers that she can help this little one.

Thank you so much for your reply. Hubby and I went back to the area where baby was found last night to see if we could find mom or any other babies within a couple of blocks and weren't able to see anything.

I do have human augmentin that is still good! Is there a guide for dosage? I believe baby weighs 135 grams. Should I give to him preventatively? Or should I wait for signs of sickness? I know pneumonia can spread quickly. Right now he is very lively when picked up, but mostly wants to cuddle and curl up with the heating pad. Lot of questions.

And little baby is a sweetheart. Husband couldn't turn away from him. I really want to do right by him.

Also will contact the person who's info you gave me. I appreciate it.

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you so much for your reply. Hubby and I went back to the area where baby was found last night to see if we could find mom or any other babies within a couple of blocks and weren't able to see anything.

I do have human augmentin that is still good! Is there a guide for dosage? I believe baby weighs 135 grams. Should I give to him preventatively? Or should I wait for signs of sickness? I know pneumonia can spread quickly. Right now he is very lively when picked up, but mostly wants to cuddle and curl up with the heating pad. Lot of questions.

And little baby is a sweetheart. Husband couldn't turn away from him. I really want to do right by him.

Also will contact the person who's info you gave me. I appreciate it.

I'm so glad you and your hubby went back to look for other little ones.
It's so sad when their whole lives get disrupted. I'm glad there are people
like you.

I will send you dosing for the augmentin but I need the strength (mg) of the pill you have.
Please don't dose him until you believe he is starting to get aspiration pneumonia.
I just want you to have instructions, in case nobody is on the board to dose, IF this happens.

I'm glad he's doing well.
What are you feeding him?
What size syringe are you using?
Do you have a 1 cc syringe?
You will need that for dosing.

Please keep us posted.

[Ohmygoshababysquirrel]

I'm so glad you and your hubby went back to look for other little ones.
It's so sad when their whole lives get disrupted. I'm glad there are people
like you.

I will send you dosing for the augmentin but I need the strength (mg) of the pill you have.
Please don't dose him until you believe he is starting to get aspiration pneumonia.
I just want you to have instructions, in case nobody is on the board to dose, IF this happens.

I'm glad he's doing well.
What are you feeding him?
What size syringe are you using?
Do you have a 1 cc syringe?
You will need that for dosing.

Please keep us posted.

I do not have a 1cc syringe I believe this is where my problem with nose bubbles is coming from. Very hard to control the flow. I have been giving him plain pedialyte at about 7.5ml. The last two feedings I have given him 3/4 Pedialyte and 1/4 ebsilac formula. (I read you need to transition them into eating formula, is that right?) Is there a good brick and mortar store to find a 1cc syringe?

I have been feeding him about once every 4 hours but I'm not sure if that is a good interval or if there is a better one? Was hoping I could get him placed before he would start needing formula, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen until after the holiday.

The augmentin is 875 mg, but we also have a scale that will measure micrograms. So we should be able to work out dosage if he starts getting sick.

I'm actually going to head out and see if I can find a 1cc syringe somewhere before stores close. I'll be checking my phone if you have any suggestions where to find one. AGAIN THANK YOU.

[Nancy in New York]

I do not have a 1cc syringe I believe this is where my problem with nose bubbles is coming from. Very hard to control the flow. I have been giving him plain pedialyte at about 7.5ml. The last two feedings I have given him 3/4 Pedialyte and 1/4 ebsilac formula. (I read you need to transition them into eating formula, is that right?) Is there a good brick and mortar store to find a 1cc syringe?

I have been feeding him about once every 4 hours but I'm not sure if that is a good interval or if there is a better one? Was hoping I could get him placed before he would start needing formula, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen until after the holiday.

The augmentin is 875 mg, but we also have a scale that will measure micrograms. So we should be able to work out dosage if he starts getting sick.

I'm actually going to head out and see if I can find a 1cc syringe somewhere before stores close. I'll be checking my phone if you have any suggestions where to find one. AGAIN THANK YOU.

You need to stop the Pedialyte now.

Mix the esbilac with HOT water ONLY.
Do 1 part powdered puppy esbilac and 2 parts HOT water.
Let it sit for a while, stirring occassionally to get the powder
completely dissolved.

Your little one is not getting enough nourishment with only 1/4 Esbilac
Is this the can with the white puppy on it?

The amount we feed is based on his weight. Typically it's 5-7% of his body weight.

Try going to the drug store and asking the pharmasist for a couple of
1 cc syringes.

[Ohmygoshababysquirrel]

You need to stop the Pedialyte now.

Mix the esbilac with HOT water ONLY.
Do 1 part powdered puppy esbilac and 2 parts HOT water.
Let it sit for a while, stirring occassionally to get the powder
completely dissolved.

Your little one is not getting enough nourishment with only 1/4 Esbilac
Is this the can with the white puppy on it?

The amount we feed is based on his weight. Typically it's 5-7% of his body weight.

Try going to the drug store and asking the pharmasist for a couple of
1 cc syringes.

Heard loud and clear. Going right now

[Ohmygoshababysquirrel]

You need to stop the Pedialyte now.

Mix the esbilac with HOT water ONLY.
Do 1 part powdered puppy esbilac and 2 parts HOT water.
Let it sit for a while, stirring occassionally to get the powder
completely dissolved.

Your little one is not getting enough nourishment with only 1/4 Esbilac
Is this the can with the white puppy on it?

The amount we feed is based on his weight. Typically it's 5-7% of his body weight.

Try going to the drug store and asking the pharmasist for a couple of
1 cc syringes.

Alright I got 1cc syringes. And yes I have the dry ebsilac with the white puppy.

What sort of behavior should I look out for if little guy starts to get sick? Thank you again.

[Spanky]

Your little one needs nourishment... the formula using the 1ml syringe. For a 135gm squirrel they should be eating approximately 7ml - 9.5ml every 4 to 5 hours.

Giving the antibiotics preventively is not a good idea, but you may want to post the strength of the Augmentin here in case it is necessary to give some and we'll have that to help with dosing. We'd need the weight as well should it come to that.

If they develop AP (Aspiration Pneumonia... the big threat to baby squirrels) they lose appetite, click with every breath and become very lethargic... this is be on the lookout.

Here is a feeding cheat sheet:

SquirrelBoard Feeding CheatSheet.pdf

[HRT4SQRLS]

Alright I got 1cc syringes. And yes I have the dry ebsilac with the white puppy.

What sort of behavior should I look out for if little guy starts to get sick? Thank you again.

You would hear a clicking sound when the baby breathes if he has aspiration pneumonia. The clicking would be with every breath. Just because bubbles come out of the nose doesn’t mean they will get aspiration pneumonia.

You would also see a rapid decrease in the appetite with AP.

[Ohmygoshababysquirrel]

Your little one needs nourishment... the formula using the 1ml syringe. For a 135gm squirrel they should be eating approximately 7ml - 9.5ml every 4 to 5 hours.

Giving the antibiotics preventively is not a good idea, but you may want to post the strength of the Augmentin here in case it is necessary to give some and we'll have that to help with dosing. We'd need the weight as well should it come to that.

If they develop AP (Aspiration Pneumonia... the big threat to baby squirrels) they lose appetite, click with every breath and become very lethargic... this is be on the lookout.

Here is a feeding cheat sheet:

SquirrelBoard Feeding CheatSheet.pdf

Thank you. Just got done feeding him a half hour ago with complete mixture of ebsilac which he loved. Gonna make sure to fit in another meal for him before bed. The 1cc syringes really helped regulating the flow of the formula. No bubbles at all. My husband weighed him before he ate and baby squirrel is 143 grams now. The dose of augmentin we have 875 mg.

[Nancy in New York]

No bubbles at all. My husband weighed him before he ate and baby squirrel is 143 grams now. The dose of augmentin we have 875 mg.

I will send dosing for Augmentin 875mg. for a 143 gram squirrel.
This is just a precautionary that I'm sending this, in case your
little one goes down hill and there is nobody on the board to help
you with dosing. Remember we dose by weight, so if your little one
needs this down the line we will have to increase the dose, so just
come on the board and let people know the new weight.
Please never give an antibiotic without first checking that it is
needed.

If you got the syringes from the drug store you will need new ones very soon.
They typically are good for only a few uses.
You can order some 1 cc syringes along with some 3 cc syringes,
and a couple of miracle nipples. (I put the Henry link below)

You may want to switch to Fox Valley formula 20/50.
The Esbilac is good, but the Fox Valley Formula is made
specifially for squirrels where the Esbilac is for puppies.
Some will keep their little ones on the Esbilac but many prefer either a mix
of both or just Fox Valley 20/50.
Everything can be ordered here.
Your little one will need a squirrel block soon.
(Only telling you this now, because it's flat rate shipping
regardless of what you buy)
Many people get Henry's block for squirrel. I personally get
the block for picky eaters regardless of the squirrels age.

https://www.henryspets.com/

Edit: Dosing sent.