A squirrel named Charlie

[Weeg]

It seems like he prefers eating while laying on his back. He likes to hold onto the bottle. Just like an infant human. Rodents dont usually eat that way but I'm letting him do what he likes because I need him to eat

That’s how they’ve always done it in the videos I’ve seen. This maybe a helpful video.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

That’s how they’ve always done it in the videos I’ve seen. This maybe a helpful video.

I cried like a baby and then realized I need a squirrel fanny pack so Charlie can come with me for feedings! Last feeding went really well. He fell asleep in my hand while suckling. Still no poop just a little urine.

DH isnt great with the camera. He tried feeding him but couldnt get him to suckle

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Next feeding went really well. He's drank about 1/4oz of formula all day. Not sure how much a squirrel his size should eat though. He suckled real well but he felt cold so DH is putting a heat lamp out there for him. We'll feed him once more before bed. Last night I think my mom instincts kicked in because I woke up at 3 am for no reason. I'm thinking it will happen again tonight in which case I'll feed him then. I'm hopeful because hes feeding better and better each time. The dog colostrum says 2 tbs for a small dog so not sure for a squirrel but the more he eats the better. Still no feces with stimulation but he was alone 20 hours without food. Possible feces in the bedding but no diarrhea

 

[RosemaryDuck]

It seems like he prefers eating while laying on his back. He likes to hold onto the bottle. Just like an infant human. Rodents dont usually eat that way but I'm letting him do what he likes because I need him to eat

Please be extremely careful. Squirrels are easy to aspirate and they commonly get aspiration pneumonia due to people feeding them like this.

Best thing you can do is get him on Fox Valley formula. The owner is very friendly and can even overnight it to you. He also needs to be somewhere warm and secure. (A brooder is ideal).

Another super helpful site you can get information from is TheSquirrelBoard. They have great info and really helpful users.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Please be extremely careful. Squirrels are easy to aspirate and they commonly get aspiration pneumonia due to people feeding them like this.

Best thing you can do is get him on Fox Valley formula. The owner is very friendly and can even overnight it to you. He also needs to be somewhere warm and secure.

Another super helpful site you can get information from is TheSquirrelBoard. They have great info and really helpful users.

Ive got him on dog colostrum. It came highly recommended from multiple sources. We have him in a dog crate inside the box filled with fiber and a heat lamp on one side. We are using an actual animal bottle instead of a syringe with a nipple to avoid aspiration. We feed at a 45 degree angle with his back in our palm. We are being extremely careful and delicate but doing the best we know how. I raise rodents as a kid so I have some background. We are thinking hes about 4 weeks old and will introduce soft fruit and water in about a week or so if he makes it through this

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I'm very saddened to report that Charlie didnt make it through this evening. I went out at 10:15 PM to give him a feeding before bed and he was stiff as a door nail. No breathing or vitals just gone. DH is burying him as I type this and we are both very upset. We did our best but we are not a squirrel mama.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I'm very saddened to report that Charlie didnt make it through this evening. I went out at 10:15 PM to give him a feeding before bed and he was stiff as a door nail. No breathing or vitals just gone. DH is burying him as I type this and we are both very upset. We did our best but we are not a squirrel mama.

You mentioned earlier he hadn't gone to the bathroom for you. It's possible he was injured internally or blocked up which led to his death.

Please don't beat yourself up. Wildlife rehab is extremely difficult and even in perfect situations you never know what happened before you got them.

At the very least he didn't die alone and he was loved before he passed. So sorry.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I'm very saddened to report that Charlie didnt make it through this evening. I went out at 10:15 PM to give him a feeding before bed and he was stiff as a door nail. No breathing or vitals just gone. DH is burying him as I type this and we are both very upset. We did our best but we are not a squirrel mama.

Aww I'm so sorry, at least you gave him the best chance at life, and he died with a full stomach and a comfy little house. Caring for wild baby animals is very difficult, the mama probably regected him because she knew something was wrong. Don't blame yourself.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I know I did all I could short of bringing him inside. Its juat sad to lose something so small. I woke up in a panic this morning because I was thinking I wpke up too late to feed him...then I remembered he passed last night. Mourning this morning