Sunday, January 24, 2010

Baby squirrel!!! Please Help!!!!!?

ok so we have a baby squirrel and we have all the right stuff and formula he needs. He is only a couple of weeks, still no hair and eyes are still closed. He has been eating very well and has been getting quite frisky. Just recently though like a couple of hours he has seemed to have gotten weaker!! Now he is not wanting to eat! His body temperature is not so warm and he is breathing harder. What should we do?? please help! We can't take him to anyone to get help it is way to late at night for that. Plus we live in the country. Is there anything we can do ourselves to get his energy back???Baby squirrel!!! Please Help!!!!!?
http://www.squirrelworld.com/





http://www.arfsc.homestead.com/Squirrels鈥?/a>





There's a good chance he might have aspirated some milk. He may or may not survive. Keep him warm and offer him small amounts to drink at a time. The opening of the syringe or nipple must be very small for baby squirrels--they are vigorous nursers and often suck too hard, causing this problem.Baby squirrel!!! Please Help!!!!!?
keep him warm maybe with blanket or towel and put it under some light so it can keep warm.Good Luck with the little one
pretty much no.





For one thing he is a wild animal and although very cute, he can't survive without his mother. And since you have handled it, his mother will abandon him.





By having all the right stuff what exactly do you mean?
This animal needs to be examined by a medical professional.





If this is a pet squirrel that you obtained legally from a reputable breeder, call your vet and ask for advice.





If this is a domestically bred squirrel, and you do not yet have a vet for it, you could also call the breeder you purchesed it from, and ask their advice. If you do not yet have a vet, choose one very carefully. Many vets do not have the expertise needed to deal with exotics.





If this is a wild squirrel that you (or someone else) captured, it is illegal to have it. You need to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.鈥?/a>





These people have the specialized training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. They also have the state and federal licenses required to keep those animals for a short time, until they are healthy enough to be released into the wild.





If this is a wild squirrel, please surrender it to a licensed rehabber. If it should bite someone (even a little nip), the health department could take it from you and destroy it to test it for rabies. Also, anyone who is bitten could sue you, and your homeowners insurance would not cover it, as it is a wild animal.
The most important thing you need to do first and all night long, is to keep him warm. Babies with no fur can freeze to death. The best thing you can use, if you have it, is an electric heating pad set on low with a towel folded up on top of it so he's not laying directly on the heating pad. And make sure he can't get out of wherever you have him in..... No matter how young they are, they can still try to climb and he absolutely needs that warmth overnight.





You need to get him hydrated. He can live right now without food but has to be hydrated. The best thing you can give him is Pedialyte formula. He needs electrolyte fluids and make sure it says Lactated Ringers when you get it. You can give it to him with an eye dropper. Usually, they sell it at grocery stores or drug stores if you have any 24 hour ones by you. If you don't have any of that mix 1 qt. Water, 1 tsp salt, 3 tsp sugar and give him that by eye dropper. Pinch his skin though.... if it falls back pretty quick, then that means he's not too dehydrated. The more you hydrate him, the quicker it should fall back.





Keeping him warm and hydrated thru the night though are very, very important. Don't call a vet tomorrow....a lot of them won't handle squirrels...... find a wildlife rehabilitator and they'll be able to help you. Just make sure you call first thing in the morning and get some help. Good luck to you!!
I have been in your situation, although it was an older squirrel, but it was still too young to be away from it's mother. I too had no one who would come out or even help me with what to do. I had called all wildlife rehabs we have here and they all told me they weren't taking anymore or didn't take squirrels. One place told me what to do, what to feed him and then I was on my own. Unfortunately our little squirrel died and we didn't even know he was sick. He was eating and drinking fine, but went to sleep and just didn't wake up.


I would suggest getting a hold of your local animal control and they will give you the number to the wildlife rehabs in your area. Or find a vet, although not likely as most vets don't deal with wildlife. Other than that do your best to keep him warm and get him eat.


Good luck and I hope all turn out good for the little guy!
Take him to a vet.
How did you find out about what baby squirrels eat and what kind of formula they need? Was this person an expert on the care and feeding of baby squirrels?





The baby squirrel should have been brought to the nearest Wildlife Center for proper care and feeding.as soon as you found it.





It's most likely stressed. The deep breathing is not a good sign that the squirrel will make it.





All I can advise is to keep it warm and comfortable as possible. That's all you can do, unless you have a phone number to contact a Wild Life Center. You could try a vet that has 24 hour service.





If this should happen again, take the animal to a Wild Life Center if you have one in the area (or you may have to travel or get a phone number) to be more prepared. A vet may be able to help.





Good Luck

No comments:

Post a Comment