~ Crawdad Creek Wildlife Rehab ~

Orphaned Squirrel Care

THE FIRST STEP IS TO WARM THE BABY

A squirrel's normal body temperature is  98 - 100 degrees F. It is  IMPERATIVE   that the baby's body core temperature be at an acceptable level  BEFORE  attempting to feed.  Trying to feed a cold orphan may result in death.  Put the baby/babies in a plastic or cardboard box with a soft material as a base.  NO toweling material as the baby's toenails could snag causing harm.  Place a heating pad, set on  LOW underneath HALF  the box and keep in a warm, dark place until the baby has stabilized. If you do not have a heating pad, a plastic container/bottle, filled with hot water and TIGHTLY capped will do. Once the baby has calmed and stabilized, usually within several hours, offer a hydrating solution such as warmed children's Pedialyte or warmed distilled water  SLOWLY  with a syringe or an eye dropper and then again in a few hours. WARNING:  No matter how small,  these babies WILL climb and you may find them frozen in the corner of the room if there was no top on the box.  Always cover any container housing baby squirrels. Punch holes in the "top" for air ventilation. Make a "pocket" in the middle of the nesting material used, put the baby/babies in the pocket and then gather the covers together over the babies.

NEVER TRY TO HYDRATE OR FEED A COLD ANIMAL !

Once the baby/babies are calmed and accepting the hydrating solution, begin offering a Puppy Milk Replacer mixture. We use PetAg's Esbilac , but any quality Puppy Milk Replacer will do.  DO NOT   offer whole milk, raw eggs,  or honey.  Wildlife cannot tolerate whole milk or honey and either could cause a deadly digestive bacterial infection. PetAg's Puppy Milk Replacer Esbilac can be obtained and delivered
to your home by calling Chris at 1-860-749-1129 or visit their website: Chris's Squirrels & More, LLC.     The basic formula we use is:

    2 parts distilled water
    1 part powdered Esbilac or other powered Puppy Milk Replacer
    1 part baby rice or oatmeal cereal
    1 part Applesauce (PURE, no preservatives)
    A small amount of whipping cream may be added to entice eating
Our feeding schedule is as follows:
    Birth to 1 week:   1 - 2 cc's EVERY 2 hours, even thru the night
    1 - 2 weeks:    2 - 4 cc's EVERY 2 hours, even thru the night
    3 - 4 weeks:    8 - 10 cc's every 3 hours
    4 - 6 weeks:   10 - 15 cc's every 4 hours
    6 - 8 weeks:   15 - 18 cc's 3 to 4 times a day

Feed only in an UPRIGHT position to avoid aspiration, pneumonia and possible death.  Babies have to be fed slowly with an eyedropper or syringe. On formula, the stool will be a mustard color, roughly the consistency of toothpaste gradually turning to tiny brown "pellets".

After formula feeding it is IMPERATIVE  that you stimulate the baby's belly/genitals to induce urination and bowel movement. What goes in MUST COME OUT. This is best done over a sink or other convenient place for clean up. We use a warm moistened piece of cotton or other VERY soft material to avoid injuring the delicate skin.  Please be cautious that the baby/babies do not get chilled !  Proper hygienge for  BOTH you and the orphan  MUST be practiced at all times due to potential parasites that all Wildlife carry.  Wildlife can present harmful parasites thru their stool. Squirrel can and will chill rapidly !  Wrap them and feed them as quickly as possible and return them to the warmth of the nest you have made for them. Avoid any drafts, air conditioning, fans blowing, etc.

If the orphan's eyes are open, offer solid foods such as domestic bird seed with nuts, fruits and sunflower seeds, a quality "Parrot" mix is good. Apple bits, plain Cheerios, grapes, UNSALTED raw peanuts, any natural, found in your area, cracked nuts, i.e.; walnuts, acorns, filberts. Carrot bits, corn on the cob and dry dog food (small chunks) are excellent "weaning" foods. Please wash thoroughly any fresh fruits/vegetables offered. When offering "weaning foods" or eyes opened food, also supply a small bowl of fresh water. You can generally begin to wean from formula at 9 - 10 weeks of age. By 12 - 14 weeks of age, they should be "self" feeding and close to release.

It is important to raise orphaned Wildlife in groups of their own kind so they may develop normal socialization skills. A single orphan will attach itself to you in lieu of others of it's species. Wildlife orphans raised together teach each other and mature more quickly and more naturally. When release time comes they will also have the comfort and security of each other and not be "out there" alone. Please find a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator as soon as possible to ensure a successful rehabilitation if you are not formally trained to do so, that baby's life and health are at stake.  This information is offered as an EMERGENCY resource only and not as a guide to raising any orphaned Wildlife.

Those who wish to pet and baby wildlife love them,  but those who respect
their natures and wish to let them live their natural lives, love them more.
cleargif~ Edwin Way Teal ~

Crawdad Creek Wildlife Rehab Home

PLEASE keep any orphaned Wildlife warm and quiet while you are locating a Wildlife Rehabilitator