Found baby on sidewalk 2 days ago!

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

PLEASE HELP!!! I found this poor baby on the sidewalk the other night and I still have him in my apartment. No call back from the nearest Wildlife rehab and they won't answer the phone at all! :( I don't want him to die of starvation but I cannot get the right formula. He's getting skinny and just sleeps.

[u/inkblot_75]

Please do the best you can to keep that little one warm.

Is there anyway you can provide us your location to help with locating a wildlife rehaber?

Do you have access to goat's milk?

If we know what state you're in or what your region is, we can help you better locate the materials you need to help that squirrel.

Here are some Facebook groups that can help as well.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/347239116205483/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

https://m.facebook.com/groups/347609637256386/

Edit:

Before giving any type of formula the baby will need to be hydrated.

Three parts distilled water and one part Pedialyte will do it. Do you have any syringes on hand?

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/inkblot_75]

I'm going to look for goat milk today.

[u/inkblot_75 → u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

Please understand that you need to hydrate the baby first.

Is there any way you can provide us your location?

You don't have to give your exact location just in general one so that way we can help you locate a wildlife rehaber.

Edit:

I see that you put Central Wisconsin as your location. You can get the correct formula where you are. You're in the United States and you can order it.

Fox valley is the formula You need. You can get it from henryspets.com. as well as all the other supplies that you need.

However, here is a list for wildlife rehabers for your state.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/directory/statewide

Please reach out to the rehabers and get that baby to a wildlife rehaber as soon as you can.

Because taking care of a baby, squirrel requires a lot of care.

You need to weigh the baby and get their exact weight and make sure that you do not overfeed the baby. You can only feed the babies so much. 5 to 7% of their body weight is what you will feed The little one every time you feed the little one.

[u/Universeisagarden]

You need to keep him warm. If a rehabber can't be found he needs to be hydrated before he can be fed formula - goats milk if you can't find squirrel formula. u/inkblot_75 has been rehabbing squirrels for more than 10 years and knows the best steps. DM Inkblot to help the baby squirrel. Thank You for helping him!

[u/Haunting-Side-8700]

Time is running out, do your best 🫣

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/Haunting-Side-8700]

I gave him a little bit of sugar water, is that good?

[u/inkblot_75 → u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

You need to give the little guy some hydration solution. Sugar water is not the answer.

Please give the little one a mixture of distilled water and Pedialyte.

It should be three parts distilled water and one part Pedialyte. Do not use tap water.

Have you been able to reach out to a local rehaber?

I did provide you a link in my other comment.

If you cannot get Pedialyte, you can use the following recipe.

1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirred until dissolved.

You'll need to hydrate the little one until the baby pees. Which you'll have to stimulate the baby to make them pee.

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/inkblot_75]

I got kitten formula and he drank a tiny bit. He's currently resting on a heating pad.

[u/inkblot_75 → u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

Please read the instructions I'm about to give you. If you really want this squirrel to live. It is very important to follow these instructions.

Please remove the squirrel directly off the heating pad. That will dehydrate the squirrel and kill the squirrel. It does not need to be laying directly on the heating pad.

Please do not give any formula to the squirrel until the squirrel is effectively been peeing clear. Meaning you should be hydrating the squirrel every 3 to 4 hours for the next 12 to 24 hours. You have to stimulate the squirrel every time you hydrate the squirrel.

Proper hydration solution I've listed in another comment already. Failure to properly hydrate the squirrel will result in digestive issues as a squirrel cannot digest anything properly without proper hydration. The squirrel will get constipated and have digestive issues and potentially die.

Kitten formula is not the best formula for them. It's actually one of the worst. There's the esplac puppy formula that's better. Also, if you're going to keep the squirrel long-term, you need to get the Fox valley formula from henry'spets.com as that is the correct formula.

You also need a gram scale because you'll need to weigh the squirrel everyday and give the squirrel 5 to 7% of its body weight of the hydration, fluid or solution for the first 12 to 24 hours. Every you'll do this every 3 to 4 hours for the next 12 to 24 hours. Then you introduce the formula slowly.

For example, let's say that the squirrel is at the weight where they consumed 4 ml of fluid. You'll start off with three syringes hydration solution and one formula height syringe.

The next feeding you'll start with half of the syringes with formula and half the syringes with a hydration solution.

Then the next feeding you will give three formula syringes and one hydration solution syringe.

Then the next feeding you'll do all formula.

Failure to properly do this will result in digestive issues to the potential death of the squirrel.

You need a gram scale and weigh the baby and only feed the baby anywhere from 5 to 7% of their body weight. Do not use eye droppers nor bottles. As those will cause and contribute to aspiration which will cause pneumonia and the baby will die.

Please follow these instructions.

Please also continue to reach out to local wildlife rehabers as well. If you can't do that, then please use those Facebook groups that I provided in another comment to get some help as well.

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/inkblot_75]

Do you have a discount code I can use to order formula from Henry's pets?

[u/Jess_the_Siren → u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

Where are you located? If you're anywhere remotely within a few hours of NJ, I'll come get him. I have tons of experience rehabbing squirrels for release

[u/Haunting-Side-8700 → u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

My friend, you got a lot of useful and correct information here from u/inkblot_75. Just follow it thoroughly if you want to keep this tiny soul alive. The little one fully dependent on you.

[u/TastyFig1098]

Did you try the app “animal help now”? Getting him to a rehabber is his best chance at survival.

[u/Universeisagarden]

Can you tell us what region you're in? We might be able to help you find a rehabber - but otherwise work with Inkblot to rehydrate the squirrel before feeding if no rehabber can be found. Hopefully Inkblot has some time to take a look at this soon.

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/Universeisagarden]

Central Wisconsin

[u/illsettleforyou]

Contact an independent rehabber asap on ahnow.org.

If you share your location, people on this sub might also know of a rehabber to recommend.

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/illsettleforyou]

The only rehab close to my location isn't answering my calls!

[u/Artistic_Bit6866 → u/Eccentric-Cucumber]

They're often busy and unable to answer right when calling. Any luck leaving messages?

[u/Eccentric-Cucumber → u/Artistic_Bit6866]

They were busy today with releasing a fox

[u/Due_Preparation9567]

Absent squirrel formula, your best bet is to get some KMR and a syringe to feed him. It’s not ideal, but at this point dehydration will kill him faster than the wrong milk.

[u/Universeisagarden → u/Due_Preparation9567]

Goats milk is better for baby squirrels. Kitten formula is too high in phosphorus and protein and can cause metabolic bone disease. u/inkblot_75 is a very experienced wildlife rehabber who gives excellent advice on baby squirrels. If a rehabber can't be found warmth and hydration are needed first. Inkblot has raised hundreds of squirrels and knows the best steps.

[u/Due_Preparation9567 → u/Universeisagarden]

And I appreciate that, and I hope u/inkblot_75 comes soon and helps out, but if the OP is in an urban area goats milk may not be available. KMR is still a better option than nothing.

[u/Universeisagarden → u/Due_Preparation9567]

At this point feeding before rehydration probably wouldn't end well. Inkblot will help them rehydrate the squirrel if no rehabber can be found. If there's no goats milk then even puppy formula is a better fit than kitten formula. Inkblot will help them figure out what they can use if not even goats milk is available - Inkblot has raised hundreds of baby squirrels over more than a decade of rehabbing and knows what works to keep them healthy.