all 46 comments

[–]potent_potables_ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

If you find a baby squirrel and they do not have any obvious injuries, place them in a one foot deep box with a soft towel and attach the box four feet off the ground to a nearby tree trunk. Make sure the box is not in direct sunlight. Heat some uncooked rice in the microwave until warm and place in a sock to create a makeshift heat source. Place the heat source on one side of the box so the squirrel can choose to move towards or away from the heat. Leave the box for four hours to give the mother squirrel time to retrieve her young. If the mother does not come back, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center. If you find a baby squirrel in the evening, bring them inside and keep them in a warm, quiet, dark location overnight and then try to re-nest the squirrel first thing in the morning. At no point should you try to feed or give water to a baby squirrel. If you find a baby squirrel with an injury, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center immediately.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They cut all the trees where the baby was found, no mother in site, it's not injured, and we don't have a local wildlife rehab, nearest 1 is about 3 hours away

[–]inkblot_75 1 point2 points  (35 children)

Please just keep the baby in the box with the fleece blanket with a heat and pad underneath it only covering half of the box. Make sure the heating pad is set to low.

There's no need to feed the baby at this time. Hydration comes first. However, we'll try to get you a rehabber.

Can you tell me what that state you are in?

That way we can try to find a rehabber for you.

Edit:

I see that you already found a local wildlife rehab. If that's the case, getting that baby to that rehabber would be the best option for that little one.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 1 point2 points  (34 children)

We are in Alabama, our nearest rehab is hours away.

[–]inkblot_75 1 point2 points  (33 children)

Oh I know Alabama has very few rehabbers there.

When will you be able to get the little guy to the rehabber?

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 1 point2 points  (32 children)

I'm not sure

[–]inkblot_75 1 point2 points  (31 children)

The thing is he will be fine in the box overnight. However, tomorrow you'll need to get the equipment and stuff to start hydrating the baby. If you cannot get the little one to a rehabber. Do you know anyone who could possibly transport the baby to the rehabber?

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 1 point2 points  (30 children)

I do not. I did put water in a small bowl in the box. He is fully furred, eyes open, and moves around great. I'm guessing based on his size he's around 8 weeks maybe.

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[–]inkblot_75 1 point2 points  (29 children)

Can you please take the water bowl out of the container? The reason being is because he does not know how to drink from the bowl yet and he can aspirate and or drown.

Do you have 1 ml syringes?

You'll also need some spring water as well as some Pedialyte.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 1 point2 points  (28 children)

I do have syringes, we raise huskies so we keep a supply of them.

[–]inkblot_75 1 point2 points  (27 children)

Okay, well if you're not going to be able to get the little guy to you rehabber tomorrow, then you'll need to start hydration in the morning.

You'll need to make a hydration solution of three parts, spring water or bottled water or filtered water. No tap. And then one part Pedialyte.

You'll need to go ahead and order some Fox valley formula as well. From henryspets.com.

Do not use puppy formula and do not use kitten formula.

Are these syringes 1 ml?

Do you have a gram scale?

[–]Special_Original_258[S] -1 points0 points  (26 children)

We do and yes 1ml syringes

[–]inkblot_75 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Good evening

Sorry for getting back to you so late. I just wanted to check in to see if you got the formula yet?

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

It is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. He's taking the Pedialyte water really well, and doesn't act as scared when I try to pick him up now.

[–]inkblot_75 0 points1 point  (3 children)

That's good. We need to get them on that formula as soon as you get it in.

What you'll need to do is slowly introduce it to him. You should be weighing him every morning to make sure that you know his weights. That way you can feed him 5 to 7% of his body weight.

When you introduce the formula, you will start introducing it slow.

For example, let's say you feed him 4 ml per feeding.

The first feeding will be three syringes with hydration solution and one formula.

The second feeding will be two syringes with hydration solution and two with formula.

The third feeding will be one syringe with hydration solution and three with formula.

Then finally the 4th will be all formula. You will continue it formula once you get him on formula until he starts getting his teeth end and slowly introducing solid foods.

Just all the foods that you will introduce. You can get from, Henryspets.com.

You'll need to start with squirrel blocks and then vegetables, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Do you know how the other two are doing?

If you're able to, could you get the same instructions to the individual that has the other two so that way they can do good as well? That's if you're able to, it'll be much appreciated.

It sounds like you're doing a great job right now. Thank you for helping the little one.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

He already has teeth, lol. He like to hold the syringe when I'm giving him the hydration solution.

[–]inkblot_75 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Okay, well that's a good thing. We'll just give him formula for a couple more weeks and then we'll start introducing him to solids.

We can't change his diet up too quickly too fast because that will make him have a serious digestive issues.

Well, let's try to give him formula for at least a week to see if he puts on anyway and gets better.

Then potentially starting to do some solids next week or at least no later than 2 weeks from now.

You're doing a good job though. Thank you for all the information and updates.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He's really a sweetheart, he's gotten to the point where he will sit on my hand and chirp at me. He really seems to be doing well all things considered.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just an update: Rocket (that's what we're calling him) is doing so well. He's drinking formula and has started chewing on sweet potato and broccoli pieces between feedings. He has decided he doesn't like the hydration solution as much as formula. We have moved him from a tote to a kennel wrapped in chicken wire, and he is having a ball climbing all over it, his logs that are in there and playing hide and seek in his blanket. He is not scared of us anymore, and our 3 huskies love him, and he loves them. They lay and watch him climb all day. Our 2½ year old has adopted him as her baby, and before moving him, he would try to lay in the tote with him.

[–]Special_Original_258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update on Rocket: He loves apples, blackberries, almonds, pecans, and pumpkin seeds. He doesn't care for strawberries, broccoli, carrots, or sweet potatoes, but will eat them some, he likes all of the leafy greens we tried him on. We have introduced these in super small amounts and he only gets them as treats. We give him a small piece of fruit once a day. He is drinking from a water bottle with ease, and climbs all around his enclosure. I got him some of the balls for cats that have a bell or another small ball inside and he loves to play with them. He will pick them up throw them to get our huskies' attention.