Help with baby squirrel!

Question

we found a baby squirrel that fell out of a real high tree lowest limb at about 20 ft. it was being "played" with by our dog. we guessed it to be about 4 weeks old. we know that we need to keep it warm so we have a hot water bottle and we know that every four hours we need to feed it problem is we don't know how much puppy formula to feed it.

any help would be grateful

[not hateful comments please]

Answer 1

   What do I do?

   Step 1- Keep the baby squirrel warm.  This is the most important thing you can do until you find a wildlife rehabilitator or decide what you are going to do. IN THE UNITED STATES, MOST STATES HAVE LAWS AGAINST POSSESSING NATIVE SQUIRRELS FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN TURNING OVER TO A PROFESSIONAL REHABBER.  Keeping the baby warm means the baby needs an external source of heat.  Use a hot water bottle or soda bottle filled with hot water.  Wrap a towel around the bottle to prevent direct contact with baby squirrel. Lay baby on towel area, then lightly cover baby with piece of towel to prevent any drafts. You don't want to cook the baby, but give a source of heat he/she can cuddle up to.  Ideal temperature is 98.5 degrees.  There is a lot involved with taking care of a baby squirrel.  You have to be able to feed a minimum of every 2 to 4 hours depending on the age.  The baby needs the correct formula (no kitten, human baby formula or homemade concoctions or goats milk).  Incorrect types of formula can lead to metabolic bone disease and problems with improper development.  You need to stimulate the baby after every feeding or urine and stool backup will lead to bacterial build up in the gut and eventual death.  

   Step 2- The baby squirrel's best chance for survival is with the mother squirrel and if that is not possible, then with a certified wildlife rehabilitator. This is said not to scare you off, but to be realistic.  You can locate the nearest wildlife rehabilitator any where in or out of the United States at How To Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator .  If you decide to raise the baby squirrel yourself, the information contained in this manual will enable you to take care of the baby squirrel's basic needs up to releasing.  Rabies is uncommon in squirrels, but squirrels can carry tetanus so make sure you are current on the tetanus shot.   If you are going to take care of the baby yourself read each section before you act.

http://www.squirrelworld.com/ifounda.htm...

Answer 2

puppy formula? yikes. put it back where you found it, the mother will take care of it.

Answer 3

Read the instructions given on this page:

Answer 4

I would recommend that you take it to your local wildlife rehab. I'm sorry, but they most likely could take better care of it.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact....

http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoop...

I don't know if it's legal to keep a squirrel where you live, you might want to ask the wildlife rehab or vet. Either way maybe a site below can help as well.

http://www.scarysquirrel.org/special/pet...

RAISING INFANT TREE SQUIRRELS

*Disclaimer: This manual is to be used merely as a guide for raising infant tree squirrels. There is no one correct way to raise baby squirrels. This manual is not meant to give veterinary advice. If you have any medical questions, please contact a licensed veterinarian. If you have any questions about whether or not it’s legal for you to care for wildlife, please consult you local Fish & Game or Fish & Wildlife Department. Do not do anything suggested in this manual unless you are able to do so.

http://www.scarysquirrel.org/special/pet...

http://www.mary.cc/squirrels/unreleasabl...

http://www.mary.cc/squirrels/tametowild....

http://www.thesquirrelboard.com/forums/f...

Answer 5

Keep the baby squirrel warm.  This is the most important thing you can do until you find a wildlife rehabilitator or decide what you are going to do. IN THE UNITED STATES, MOST STATES HAVE LAWS AGAINST POSSESSING NATIVE SQUIRRELS FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN TURNING OVER TO A PROFESSIONAL REHABBER.  Keeping the baby warm means the baby needs an external source of heat.  Use a hot water bottle or soda bottle filled with hot water.  Wrap a towel around the bottle to prevent direct contact with baby squirrel. Lay baby on towel area, then lightly cover baby with piece of towel to prevent any drafts. You don't want to cook the baby, but give a source of heat he/she can cuddle up to.  Ideal temperature is 98.5 degrees.  There is a lot involved with taking care of a baby squirrel.  You have to be able to feed a minimum of every 2 to 4 hours depending on the age.  The baby needs the correct formula (no kitten, human baby formula or homemade concoctions or goats milk).  Incorrect types of formula can lead to metabolic bone disease and problems with improper development.  You need to stimulate the baby after every feeding or urine and stool backup will lead to bacterial build up in the gut and eventual death...

here is a good website with tips on what to do and not to do....

http://www.mary.cc/squirrels/foundababy....

good luck :)

i would also try and find a rehabilitator for him asap.... just call around, best of luck to you.

Answer 6

I would contact your closest Wildlife Department.  Some of them have animal rescue units who can take it off of your hands and insure it gets the kind of care it needs for the best chance of survival.  If there is no wildlife department close to you, then call your local veterinarian and ask him/her for expert advice.

Answer 7

it should eat as much as it needs. i have a rat so im kinda familiar with the whole family

Answer 8

Wrap a towel around the bottle to prevent direct contact with baby squirrel

Lay baby on towel area, then lightly cover baby with piece of towel to prevent any drafts. You don't want to cook the baby, but give a source of heat he/she can cuddle up to.

You have to be able to feed a minimum of every 2 to 4 hours.

The baby needs the correct formula (no kitten, human baby formula or homemade concoctions or goats milk).  Incorrect types of formula can lead to metabolic bone disease and problems with improper development.

You need to stimulate the baby after every feeding or urine and stool backup will lead to bacterial build up in the gut and eventual death.

Orphans that have been without their mother will be suffering from chill and dehydration. They must be thoroughly warmed first, and then offered warmed rehydration solution. Pedialyte is a rehydration solution that is available in drug stores- it should be heated to body temperature and offered every couple hours for the first several feedings.  Feed the baby squirrel esbilac powder, mix only enough for 24hrs and keep it refrigerated.  Esbilac is a puppy milk replacer, which you should be able to purchase at a vet or pet store. Cow's milk, human baby formulas, and most pet products (except Esbilac) are not suitable and will likely cause death.    Use a 1cc or 5cc oral syringe (try a vet or pharmacy), warm the formula, and hold the squirrel in a towel, firmly, and covering its eyes. The squirrel will suck very quickly and take too much formula if you are not in total control. If this happens the squirrel will sneeze formula out of its nose Stop feeding, turn upside down, gently rub its back, and gently wipe the excess formula from its nose. Repeat this for about 5 minutes or until the sneezing stops and breathing returns to normal.  If severe this can cause immediate death or pneumonia on a long-term basis. This is why bottles are not suitable to use. To avoid this from occurring, feed in a quiet room, go slowly and watch both the squirrel and the syringe, if air bubbles appear in the syringe, stop feeding and expel the air, (see chart on back for feeding schedule).  Once feeding is finished, wash its face well with a damp face cloth, as formula dries quickly and causes fur loss.  It is very critical that baby squirrels are stimulated to urinate before and after every feed.  The squirrel may be doing it a bit on its own but this may be overflow and if not stimulated the bladder will rupture.  To stimulate a baby squirrel hold it over a face cloth. Dip either your finger or a Q-tip in warm water and then light feathery strokes over its genital area will cause the squirrel to urinate and/or have a bowel movement.  Once the squirrel starts to pee don't stop as the squirrel will then stop.

PS. Even if you have touched the animal, mom will still accept it, she may come and then leave, but come back for it in a few hours. To reunite, leave the baby in the exact spot where found (mom won't know to go look anywhere else), you can place a hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel) under it for warmth. (Do not cover the animal with any materials; leave in plain view, otherwise mom won't be able to find it).Monitor from inside. Try only during daylight.If after several hours mom does not at least come to see the squirrel then it needs help.  

Answer 9

just keep doing what your doing your doing a great job. give it a lot of water and especially love  

Answer 10

im not sure..lol..but i do knwo you should feed it every 2 hours. just dont let it drink the whole bottle..why size bottle do you have it in? you know the kitten bottles? like..maybe half of that...give or take

Answer 11

i had a baby squeril too

they are really cute but mine;z only slept all day

so it didn;t live that long

anyways sorry i dont have an answer to ur question

but good luck on taking care of it

:)

Answer 12

I've tried it before, just don't get to emotionally attached to it. and be prepared.

Answer 13

Well my teacher found a baby squirrel and what she did is she feed it, kept it very warm then called an animal person to take it and help it grow up. And now the squirrel is doing great!

Answer 14

aww how sad! Well i would try calling(to get advice on what to do ( call the vet)) or taking the squirell to the nearest vet!

♥

Answer 15

Geez, you need to take him to the vet.  He might have sustained some kind of internal injury.

Answer 16

just feed him until he quits trying to nurse. animals know how much to eat, he'll let you know if he gets full.

Answer 17

Squirels will tell you when thier hungry I'd start with a cup  and watch the squirrel it will start looking around for found when it get s hungry and gauge your feeding from the squirrel

Answer 18

Sorry to tell you this but if you put it on yahoo answers your most likely gonna get some hateful answers...:( Sorry its the truth)

Answer 19

You should call another vet or even the local zoo and ask specifically HOW MUCH PUPPY FORMULA???  You may also want to consider letting the squirrel lay on a towel and let him put his smell on it.  Then you can put that towel outside...maybe on a tree branch...and see if his mother comes by.  You could even cut the towel into a few pieces and leave a trail to your door so his mother will meet you, but idk if that'd work.  

OMG I bet he is SO cute!!!