I actually heard him this morning, still up in the tree. I believe beforehand there was some sort of chaos involving adult squirrels, though I caught the tale end of it, with one chasing another. I kept hearing the baby (the sound really got me as I originally thought a cat had a bird; our neighbor's cats are always around). Our neighbors behind us have a gorgeous blue spruce, and I looked and thought I saw a squirrel nest, but the sound was coming from another part, lower in the branches. While I was looking the noise got Star (my resident buddy squirrel) interested, she actually climbed down a fence, ran under and popped out from under the neighbor's shed and looked at me. I think she thought I had a baby! Later I scanned the yard, thought I saw a pink rock and thought I saw a branch move on the ground, but thought the branch moving was from the wind. Later I heard a squirrel chatter, knew there was a cat in that yard, chased him off, then jumped the fence to scan the area under the spruce "just in case", and found a very young furred baby, eyes still closed. He wasn't moving, was very cold (ice cold). I scooped him up and brought him back over the fence and he moved slightly. Knowing he wouldn't respond much till he was warm I kept him snuggled with me and he started responding almost immediately, moving and kicking around and responding to touch. I thought he was having some breathing issues (he was barely breathing when I found him), but now I believe the clicky type sounds were him responding and scolding me. He does not click when he is resting quietly, but will make the first beginnings of a squirrel scolding if I touch him. He also kicks at me and wiggles and moves around and is quite lively. It took him forever to warm up! I started with using body heat while heating a hot pack in the microwave then wrapped him in a fleece blanket in a box near that until the heating pad warmed up. We went to the store to get some esbilac and he was very fiesty when I got back home. I am following the directions on the links provided here for rehydrating as he does seem a bit dehydrated, though he is active and seems to have a good color. I worry most about internal injuries; he had to have fallen about ten feet. The ground underneath is dirt/grass/needles, so hopefully that cushioned him. He shows no signs of injury, but does have some minor scrapes/marks on his left back leg. He took a small amount of rehydrating fluid, maybe a few drops. Acts like he wants to nurse but is a bit resistant to the syringe. I have raised young critters before (mostly birds) so know the importance of going slow to avoid aspiration. I am currently unemployed so do have the time for hand feeding. I don't mind waking up in the night if need be and am currently home most of the time. I have limited funds but did get the esbilac (kudos to my moom who isn't too fond of squirrels but dropped what she was doing to drive me to the pet store . I have also caught her feeding Star when it is cold and snowy). I am hoping the Esbilac will be ok? I found where it will have to be diluted and slowly worked up to the right dosage. I am sticking with the rehydration formula for now. He doesn't want to take more then a few drops, but is very strong and active. He has amazing grip for such a little critter. Any tips or tricks? He refuses, instead nuzzling my hand and searching. He is dehydrated, so I am concerned about getting some liquid in him. I warmed it up but more gets on my hand and down his neck and tummy . Pictures below, I hope:
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