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Why Did My Baby Squirrel Suddenly Die?

8/16/2018

156 Comments

 
I get this question a lot from people who write and tell me that the baby squirrel they recently found was fine one day and the next day it quit eating and went downhill and died. Many of them relate that when they inquired to a local Rehabber they were “brow beaten” and told that they obviously were feeding the squirrel the wrong diet and were left with a guilt trip that they killed the baby by not feeding it right!

I'm here to tell you that this diet related death myth is total BS and pure hogwash!

I always tell new caregivers of baby squirrels to be forewarned. Do not get too attached to them for at least 2 weeks! This is the voice of experience from the realization that, unless you know first-hand that the babies did not suffer any injuries from when they fell from its mother's nest, there is always the possibility of a baby squirrel going down-hill suddenly and dying. They can be fine one day, and dead the next.

Unknowing and ignorant Rehabbers are quick to blame new squirrel caregivers with a guilt trip about feeding them the wrong formula. But, my 40+ years of Surgical and Emergency experience has carried over to my avocation as a Squirrel Rehabber.

I learned early-on that there are people out there that don't know what they are talking about with their "knee-jerk" assumptions. The reason I know is that I know how to conduct an autopsy to find a cause of death! I've seen enough of them, and participated in enough of them and scrubbed in on enough trauma cases and know enough physiology to know that people and animals don't go down-hill and die suddenly from drinking or being fed milk or formula.

When baby squirrels are fine one day and the next they go into shock and die, I know it is more than formula that killed them! So, I open them up to see what kind of problem caused the death. Most times it was delayed internal bleeding from blunt trauma to the abdomen. Internal organs have a tough membrane around them called "fascia," which will contain bleeding into the organ when it is injured. Baby squirrels are tough little troopers in that they can act completely normal with an injured liver, spleen, or kidney. The problem comes when either the fascia or the organ starts to fail.

If there is a significant amount of bleeding into an organ, and the fascia breaks down, it causes the organ to leak blood. The animal rapidly becomes so anemic that they die of hypovolemic shock. These babies suddenly stop eating because free blood in the abdomen is very nauseating. They also become difficult to keep warm because peripheral blood is being shunted to the internal organs to keep them going. So, the baby feels cold to the touch.

Organ failure is a little slower but the end result is the same! I've only had one baby that had me stumped. I would find it sleeping outside of the blanket nest every morning. Soon, I realized that it was breathing rapidly and seemed short of breath and needed to be out where there was more oxygen. After another week I found it dead.

Since shortness of breath and rapid respiration were its primary symptoms, I suspected a lung contusion. I checked it's internal organs and found them to be in perfect shape, so I extended my investigation to the chest cavity and found the lungs to be in perfect shape. I was about to chalk-it-up to "unknown" until I separated the lungs to look at the heart.

There it was! The fascia surrounding the heart was full of dark blood, a condition called "Pericardial Tamponade." A very small blood vein had been torn loose and very slowly leaked blood into the pericardial sac. It eventually built up enough pressure to start squeezing the heart so that it became difficult to pump blood. If blood isn't pumped efficiently through the lungs, shortness of breath and tachypnea, (rapid breathing,) become the symptoms.

I say all this not to brag, but to let you know that I know what I'm talking about, and to assure you that if your squirrel suddenly goes downhill and dies, it's not your fault or what you fed them.

I wrote a Blog article 5 years ago about feeding babies. I never bought the myth that milk was bad to feed a baby squirrel nor that a baby needs vitamins during its nursing phase. Because I learned back in College during "Early Childhood Care 101," that all suckling mammals synthesize everything they need for growth and development from the fat, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and simple sugars contained within their mother's milk or formula.

When a baby is born, it is only developed enough to live and breathe outside the womb. But, it is far from fully developed and there are tissues and organs that still need to develop and mature. The liver during this time is also immature, but, being the master chemist of the body, has a unique ability during this time to synthesize everything that is needed to complete the maturation and development of the tissues and organs from these simple raw ingredients.

I can still hear my professor tell us that, " All vitamins do during this time of synthesis is make expensive urine!" I've searched and searched online for corroboration of what I learned back 40+ years ago, but current textbooks conveniently leave this out!

But, I did manage to dig up an ancient study of squirrel breast milk conducted by the Ohio State University that proved that cow's milk with added milk fat is the closest thing you can find to squirrel breast milk. Between this study and another separate study, they found that squirrel breast milk is up to 24% milk fat. This study is what I base my formula recipe upon.

Here is the link to my Blog article. The link to the Ohio State Study is in the article. Please draw your own conclusions!
http://www.squirrelnutrition.com/blog/should-i-feed-a-baby-squirrel-commercial-formula

The thing I want you to take away from this article is that if your baby squirrel suddenly died for no apparent reason there actually was a reason that was not your fault. And don't let anyone try to convince you that it is!!

I'm not in the pocket of any formula manufacturer so I have no financial ties or interest in promoting their products unlike State Rehab organizations that receive funds for promoting certain products.
156 Comments
Shirley little
8/16/2018 07:23:29 pm

What a great article, when my Baby fell out of a tree she had been hanging upside down crying for over 2 hours. I had been looking up in the tree for what I thought was a baby bird.
Luckily when she fell I was standing right under her and she landed at my feet. I estimated that she about 10 days , not a pink, but tiny, and her eyes were not open. I was blessed that with some common sense and google, I was able to figure out how to take care of her. My concoction for her milk was, canned pet milk, heavy cream, plain yogurt, and lots of love.
She is 2 years old now, and even experienced a 900 mile move. She is our Baby! And how blessed we are to have her!

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Madison
3/18/2019 12:55:40 am

Hi Shirley! I am actually preparing to move my two squirrel across the country. I am not yet a licensed rehabber, so flying on a plane does not seem like an option. Did you manage to get them into a plane, or drive? Any tips on long distance travel with squirrels would be so helpful!!

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Jeanie Carline
8/17/2018 01:58:11 pm

After four years of successfully winging it with what I've read, I've raised and released 30+ baby squirrels. This season though has been heartbreaking, although all were pinkies, I've lost 3, in the last week, the last this morning. I sub under a rehabber that is awesome, and she tried to prepare me before hand, because like you, she says organ failure because we have no idea what they've been through before reaching us. With that being said.....I am inconsolable, this just stinks. Thank you for this, because I was berated by a family member, saying I did something wrong.

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William link
8/17/2018 07:53:48 pm

Hi, Jeanie!

So sorry to hear about all the heartbreaks you went through recently! Tell your family members that I said to, "Take a hike and stop being uninformed idiots!" You did absolutely nothing wrong, and I thank you for caring for these magnificent creatures!

I always tell people that they gave those babies more love in their short lives than they ever would have had dying alone out in Nature!

Keep up the good work!

Bill

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NIVEDHITHA S
11/18/2019 06:00:39 pm

I just lost one today morning. He died in my hands. I tried hard not to get attached to them. There are two more squirrels. I found one yesterday and the other today morning. The one had spend one whole day out in the cold. I understand that his chances of survival is quite low but could you please give.any tips?

Tim
9/28/2018 05:30:34 pm

I just had from what i could estimate a s
6 week old squirrel suddenly die... we found him a 10 days ago covered in fly eggs... did some research and found the mother probably abandoned him.. we cleaned him up and began to care for him, after a day he was full of life untill an hour and a half ago... found him lifeless and cold... warmed him up and he began to breathe and move a bit, but eventually pass dispite our every effort... we did everything we could for the little guy he was eating solid food and everything it just heartbreaking because he seemed to be doing so well

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Sheri Beach
12/18/2018 06:48:21 am

Squirrels can be given a 1/4 tablet of Capstar. It will start killing the eggs within a couple of hours and to be repeated after 24 hrs.
I have rec'd animal with live maggots and will kill within 1st couple of hours. Tissues looked pink and healthy and baby lived a healthy life afterwards. Thank you to all you do.

Jolyn L Kuban
9/13/2019 01:23:22 pm

Something similar just happened to me today. Thank you for sharing your story it helped to bring me a little bit of comfort as to what happened to mine

Licia Macaluso-Rabitoy
8/18/2018 06:47:10 pm

Great Article William! When a person finds a baby squirrel and decides to care for it. They are so unsure and sometimes have to deal with egotistical rehabbers on the web. You have always given good advice. My Galileo is 9 years old this year and I have been following a lot of what you say for a good portion of those years.

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edna kelso link
8/23/2018 02:37:01 pm

my neighbor has a baby squirrel. she didn't know anything about this until we found this wedsite. she still needs to know a few things like, when does their eyes open. It is only a few days old so she doesn"t know how often to feed it. He lets her know by whistle or a noise. Any help would be greatly appreciated. edna kelso

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William
8/23/2018 07:30:57 pm

Hi, Edna!

Have her write to me at SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com and I'll send her all the information she needs!

Bill

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Dustin
9/29/2018 03:10:33 pm

Hi I have found 3 baby squirrels 1 has past away in first 3 days and the 2 have done great in past 2 weeks but the 1 has started getting blood spots on its stomach kinda like bruises under the skin and havnt wanted to eat like it was . What should I do?

Lindasims
8/25/2018 11:30:36 am

Can u feed a 2week old squirrel breast milk

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William
8/25/2018 11:45:00 am

Hi, Linda!

The answer to this is quite lengthy. Please copy and paste your question into an e-mail and send it to me at SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Bill

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Reed Robbins
8/25/2018 01:01:45 pm

I found a little baby, eyes open, under large tree however on the pavement. Got nursing kit, puppy milk replacement, feed every 3 to 4 hours...held it quietly on my chest to keep warm for hours and rubbed its head neck stomach. It talked its keep little gurgling noises to me and seemed to be getting stronger. Put the same tree leaves in its box but kept it loosely wrapped in clean warm hand towels...5 days later, this morning, it stopped eating and died. 😢 I am heart broken...

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Sandy Calderone
8/30/2018 11:39:43 pm

I can related. My Rocky fell out of his nest. I'd been carING for him for 3 days, he was doing great. When I went to feed him tonight, he was dead. I'm devastated. I thought for once I can really help another creature. I'm very glad I found this page. I was beating myself up that it was my fault.

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Devin Frankel
8/15/2019 09:26:09 am

Sandy this just happened to myself and pups (they loved him) were alone by big bear California. I thought what a gift man. I can love and heal this little guy selflessly in turn find self healing. 8 days of cuddles playing and I find this sweet soul passed away in his blanket. My heart is hurting. I’m sorry for your pain. I hope we find some kind of solace. Sending you love.

Devin
8/15/2019 09:23:00 am

I am as well. It’s 9:18 August 15th 2019. I’m alone by big bear California. On the 7th my pups found and licked a baby squirrel around 3 week old. We named him Nessie, bonded loved and an hour ago I went to get him from his fleece blankets and heating pad and he was stretched out not moving. I tried giving him cpr and held him until a few minutes ago. He’s back in his nest. I’m so devastated. I believed I killed him with goats milk because maybe he was dehydrated. I ordered fox valley and am waiting for it. I switched from abisalic puppy formula to goats milk. And thought that killed him. I’d really like to have an autopsy done if possible as this has altered my life terribly. I’m so sorry for what you’re feeling.

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William
8/25/2018 01:30:31 pm

Hi, Reed!

I know the feeling, it's happened a dozen or so times to me over the years! That's why I always council people to not get too attached to a baby for the first two weeks because you just do not know what happened to them when they fell from the nest.

I'm so sorry about your loss!

Bill

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Peggy
7/22/2019 09:02:37 pm

Hi William. I'm so hurting right now. My husband and I have gotten so
close to this 6 week old squirrel. My son found her under a tree and no mom in site. We've had her for three days and never fell in love with any other pet like this one. She was eating,running and so lovable. She always wanted us to hold her and when my husband got home from work the first thing he wanted was our new little girl. 😭 when he went to reach for her on my shoulder under my blouse( which was one of her favorite places) she was dead. She was still warm and he tried to bring her back but we couldn't 😩😩 There were no signs, she was a happy loving little baby of ours. I could tell she loved us as much as we loved her. I fed her and she'd eat so I really don't know why this had to happen. Thank you for listening

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Devin
8/15/2019 09:46:04 am

Your articles very well may have saved my life. Cannot tell you what this little guy coming into my life meant. And the thought that this goats milk killed him is unbearable. Today is day 8. He was doing really well. (Nessie) approx 3-4 weeks old. When he ate the last couple times he made a face like he was vomiting. It was really upsetting to me. I then gave him 3cc of fresh water which he took down. This morning at 8am I found him in his blankets stretched out and not moving. I tried giving him air and massaging his heart. But it Didn’t work. I kept telling myself if I had woken up at 4 am he would have lived. His last feeding was 8pm, throughout the week I hydrated and fed in the night. I thought now that he’s approx 4 weeks today I could sleep until his 8am feeding. I was sure the combination of dehydration with goats milk and letting him sleep through the night killed him. I’m hoping I can find a person near big bear California to help me find a cause of death. I know it may seem silly to some but this truly and tragically devastated my essence. Not that it’s about me. Thank you Bill. If there is any solace to be found or healing to be had it’s because of you.

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KC
12/6/2019 07:29:42 am

Devin, I know how you feel. I had a baby squirrel (Bob) for three months and three days. He passed suddenly the morning of November 11th of this year, and I am just crushed with guilt and the loss of the best friend I have ever had. I never knew how wonderful squirrels were until I found Bob, pink from being only days old, cold and extremely dehydrated on the sidewalk. I will never know what caused his sudden death, as he was doing so well, growing up into a strong, fast squirrel...reading these comments is one of the only things that has helped me at all. No one understands grieving the loss of a squirrel. People throw blame and "well, it was just a wild animal", showing they are incapable of understanding what magnificent little creatures squirrels are. You are not alone. And trying to do good is all we can do. At least we tried. 💔

Carol Kraus
9/4/2020 05:55:45 pm

This story I'm reading reminds me of what I'm going through with my new little squirrel. I'm afraid he's not going to make I've had him for a week, his eyes are still closed but now he's refusing to eat.

Monica Zurbola
8/29/2018 08:27:03 am

Hi bill, I rescued a squirrel about a week ago, he hasnt had any calcium in him at all, i tried the Esblac milk and he didnt like it so i made the water supplement you suggested and he is doing great. I have been feeding him walnuts oranges apples and some banana. Im worried about the calcium intake i know its very important for them and their body. I was wanting to know if a gel tablet of calcium would work if i mixed it with food? im at a loss here and dont want him to die. Anything helps. Thank you.

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Monica Zurbola
8/29/2018 08:28:45 am

he is about 7-8 weeks im assuming.

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William
8/29/2018 09:03:50 am

Can you send a picture that includes the tail so I can age the squirrel?
Send it to SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com.

Bill

William
8/25/2019 08:00:06 pm

Yes, any calcium you can get into him will help. Consider making some Nut Squares. Send a request for the recipe to SquirrelNutrition@yahoo.com.

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Marcy Rye
9/3/2020 12:18:22 pm

For calcium....what about a few drops of Calciboost...(that's the gold standard for birds)....or what about shaving off a bit of a Tums tablet (calcium carbonate) and diluting it? I saw you said Kale is good for when they are weaned and eating.

Antoinette Felice
9/4/2018 12:12:07 am

Thank you so much for writing this. At this moment am in tears, rescued 8 baby squirrels, 1 little sweetheart was in horrible shape, broken legs, mouth... Tried all I knew-Esbilac, heating pad, held chest 24/7, pedialyte. Was starting to move around a bit, drinking... All of a sudden a loud cry like a bird, black toxic smelling feces came out minutes later he stopped breathing. My son rescued a baby abandoned squirrel last year before the hurricane, took care of her just the same for months, the thrived & was put back into a sanctuary. Although I am not allowed to see her, I hope/pray & believe I did the best, though she got little vitamin D as she didn’t want to go outside much to my many attempts-I should of forced her out more.
Suppose I am now scouring the internet looking for some reason of what I could of done, what did I do wrong... So hard to have any loss of life in this world. In the last month my cousin died of cancer, a friend my age too too young died (reason unknown yet). As much as we try to rationalize causes of death, it still doesn’t make sense to ones soul-always something I believe we could of done, anything to stop their pain or save a life.
Thank you truly for writing this for all who love animals, the pain as well as adoration is equal to the compassion with humans. Although I can’t bring this little baby back-your words will stay in my mind & heart hoping I did all I could.

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Antoinette Felice
9/4/2018 12:51:19 am

Just read to stop immediately if formula was coming out of nose. This happened about an hour before he died. Little bubbles of formula were coming out his nose. Held him upright, went slowly, maybe not slow enough. My God my ignorance killed the little sweetheart. Am sorry, am heartbroken am filled with grief, regret.... Knowledge is the enemy of faith, had faith I was doing everything right. Horribly devastated am so wrong & could of saved him.

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William link
9/6/2018 07:53:38 am

Hello, Antoinette!

Please do not blame the death of this baby on yourself! From what you described in your first post, this baby had multiple things working against it from the beginning!

You described fractures to the legs and injury to the mouth/ facial area, etc. What this tells me is that this baby fell from a very great height and suffered multiple traumas as a result.

The fact that it cried out in pain and had an involuntary expulsion of black and foul smelling stool means that it had massive internal injuries that were not compatible with life. You did nothing to hasten it's demise. Even the best squirrel Vet in the nation could not have changed the outcome on this one.

The important this is that you cared and tried to help. That is called love and compassion. We always hope that our efforts will produce a good outcome and have faith that what we do will produce a good result, but as important as these thing are, they are not the greatest thing when it comes to trying to help the helpless!

The Bible sums it up very well in 1 Corinthians 13:13 when it says,
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!"

You showed that baby more love and compassion in its short life than it ever would have received dying alone out in Nature. Nobody and no animal wants to die alone! You made that happen for this little one! And, for that I thank-you from the bottom of my heart!

Bill

Laurinda Nealeigh
9/11/2018 06:41:26 am

Wonderful blog. I needed fo read this today, as I lost two of my 6 weeks old babies suddenly last night.

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Antoinette Felice
9/16/2018 05:09:10 am

Bill, Thank you so very much for your immensely kind, warming, educated & consoling reply. Still no matter how much rational Medical sense things makes, still feel I could of in the least eased his pain.

The mother & remaining babies have made a home in a tree in front of the house. The mother came to me 3 times, first she jumped on my head then crawled back up the tree quickly last 2 times, she’s crawled around my body again retreating to the tree & her babies. Does this behavior make any sense to you?

Would it be okay if I left food out for them, possibly putting it in her tree so she has a better chance to get it. If so any recommendations of what to leave for them.

I had a female squirrel “Zooella” for about a year, whom was a complete joy. She slept with me nightly, was protective, played with myself & my 4 dogs. My son kept pushing me to bring her to a sanctuary, which I did, they came with great references-highly recomended. They took her away, filled out the form gave them a donation. Couldn’t talk, was crying & asked for her back, to which the woman quickly said no. Then explained the (to me) cruel methods they use to teach her/all squirrels to hate humans. My son tried to walk back to get her, the woman yelled at him....We did not get her back.

She’s in Busch Sanctuary in Jupiter Florida, would do anything to get her back, though only if this is what’s best for her. It’s been now 4 weeks since she’s been there.

My apologies for the bother, love animals just the same as I do humans.

Warmest Regards,

Antoinette

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SquirrelMom
9/20/2018 02:07:29 am

I have four healthy furgirls around 185-220g. I also had a pinky that died within hours of receipt and a surviving baby (had her two weeks and she was 3wks on receipt) that just passed tonight, suddenly, without Gi/respiratory signs. She was on Esbilac powder 1:2 q3.5 hrs, with standard I/O. I feel so guilty. Although she had a slow steady growth she seemed to have exhibited FTT as a single one. I thought she had just turned a corner as she was somewhat more active and alert. She showed no signs of distress. It makes me not want to take in any more....

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Devin
8/15/2019 12:23:22 pm

Hi, I feel the same. I’m pretty upset. We took in little Nessie on the 7th. He was growing his hair, seemed to be enjoying his formula and cuddles. Went in today at 8am expecting cuddles and love from our little guy. The exact opposite took place. He was stretched out and didn’t look right. When I picked him up he had already passed. I attempted cpr. A warm bath. Anything and everything. My dad said there’s many more Nessie’s out there would love my care. But I feel like if he died with me I shouldn’t care for anything. I wish I was able to conduct an autopsy like Bill. If I knew it was fall related as sad and hurtful as it is. That’s something I can live with. I can’t live with my human error being the cause of this sentient little sweet being. Sending you love and kind thoughts.

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charlee
9/26/2018 09:25:47 pm

Found the cutest little cajun squirrel maybe 7 to 9 weeks old. Not near any trees. Eyes open, super friendly but not moving great. I had never been that close to a squirrel and didnt know what to think. So, I slowly reached down and he jumped on my hand and curled up in my palm. I fell in love. I cared for him for 5 days. Fed him pedolite, puppy food,(red some where puppy food was good) some dried fruits and nuts. He was doing great and seemed playful. On night 5(tonight) I found him barely breathing. I picked him up he chirped curled up in my palm and died. He was the sweetest little guy and I'm shocked at just how much it upset me. I miss his cuddling already. Thank you for this page. It took a lot of guilt away.

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Hazel
9/27/2018 12:21:28 am

Thank you so much for this article... ever since my NR Neuro flyer died unexpectedly last week, I've been really beating myself up. Granted, he wasn't really a baby anymore, but he was only about 6~7 months old, having had him since about 8 weeks old. He's had neurological issues since we got him (presumably from falling from tree) and gave him a 2 week prednisone course which helped lessen some effects, but he had always been a bit impaired and ultra picky with food. Wouldn't eat the Henry blocks as is, so ended up grinding them and mixing them into a concoction that he loved. I did everything I possibly could to love him and make sure he had everything he needed, so when I found him suddenly dead at the bottom of his cage, hiding under a hidey log, I was devastated.

I still do wonder if maybe he had hit his head again in the cage at some point or something that I just wouldn't have been able to witness or verify, but god I'm just so heartbroken that he's gone. I knew with his neuro issues he likely wouldn't live as long as a perfectly healthy flyer, but I wasn't ready for it to be this short...

Recently I've been caring for a baby gray who had cat bites and a bot fly warble (that I removed) and he's doing well, in addition to a back legs/tail paralyzed squirrel who I'm constantly worried about, especially given she's had diarrhea the past 2 days. But I'm doing everything in my power and knowledge to take care of them and keep them happy and healthy <3

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Sanjeev
10/3/2018 11:36:09 pm

Hi thanks for the article as my little daughter was blaming for a baby squarrel death after taking care of it for almost three weeks. And finally it suddenly collapse the next day morning. This will give us a little bit of peace of mind that it was not our fault and this baby must have gotten some internal injuries. Really missing it a lot as it was so adorable little cute creature who would always made his presence felt at our place. ItsI an Indian baby swsquarr

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Dianne Thomas link
10/4/2018 07:50:58 am

I am fostering 2 twelve week old baby squirrels. They found us. My 10 yr old granddaughter and I were walking home from her bus stop 7 weeks ago and these two babies ran out of a landscape area and sat on our feet. I knew moma squirrel would not have allowed this , so I figured something had happened to mom. We have several hawks in our area. They must if left the nest looking for mom, they were hungry. I have followed your web site for about a yr due to other orphaned baby squirrels. I use your milk formula and my babies have done very well on it. My babies are no longer taking formula as of about a week ago.
Three days ago my little female starting having blood in her urine. I was frantic, put a call in to a veterinarian friend . I felt I could not wait for a return call , so did research on your web site and drove straight to vitamin store for some Colloidal Silver 30ppm.
Put a few drops in water and dropper fed her that solution several times in the next 1 1/2-2hrs. And did a lot of praying and cuddling with her. I could tell she was not feeling good. She continued to eat well and poop . Then about 3 hrs later she began to play with her brother. Next morning urine was clear, 3rd day urine is still clear. I thank the Lord and you for saving my baby girl Penny. I now will continue to add Colloidal Silver to thier water .
❤️❤️❤️Dianne

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Natalie
10/21/2018 12:13:59 pm

So glad I found this. We have been caring for a baby we found 5 weeks ago, found by his dead mother. He was approximately 6 weeks old. He’s be doing amazingly well, going from formula to solids, learning how to climb etc. This afternoon I went to check on him and he had passed away. He was fine this morning. I have felt nothing but guilt all day that I’ve done something wrong. He was doing so well, checking off all the milestones we keep reading about, and looking very healthy. I feel awful.

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Hiral shah
10/26/2018 08:18:07 pm

Dear William,
I have read your article
Actually, I have found one baby squirrel , probably of 3-4 days old under a tree in my garden. We took care of her for 27 days. We thought, she was perfectly fine because we could see her physical development. We used to give her boiled cow milk.
She used to sleep calmly between two layers of cloths in her basket after taking milk but Yesterday she behaved little bit differently. Instead of sleeping patiently, she moved here and there and also on the top layer of her blanket. We thought, as she was growing, she behaved like this
And today morning, with sudden shock, we found her dead. We don't know the reason what happened to her and we are feeling very much guilty. Sir, can you guide us please? Where we have done wrong?

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carl smith link
11/5/2018 01:30:34 pm

I have a broken heart! rescued a roughly 4 -6 wk old squirrel, he had fallen about 40' out of his nest or his momma pushed him out?? because he was kind of a runt.Was bleeding out of his nose and looked like he had broken his back legs?? but I couldn't let him die or kill him so over the next few weeks feed him a mixture that my wife had found on line and he slowly progressed to the good!! he was adapting to everyone and not really showing aggression to other people, he chose me as his momma/daddy and got to where he would trust us and even got to where he got along with our poodle, today I found him dead no warning signs at all???he lived ebb a 6' tall 4 different levels to his condo as I called it, we showed him plenty of love and he got to where h showed us love in return!!! why dd my squirrel die???? I loved him sooooo much and he was a very important fixture in our lives, we feed hi, pine nuts, sun flower seeds, cut ups grapes'tc.... cleaned his cage every other day, depended on how he trashed it, but Im completely HEART broken over this andd hope and pray i didn't do anything wrong in his care?????!! because I couldn't live with myself had a done something wrong.This little critter brought great joy to our family daily and got to where I couldn't wait to get home to let him out and play plus spend time with Rocky aka ROCKO, or ROCKO TACO as my little 5 year nephew would call him.Some advice would greatly be helpful to my heart!!!!!!!

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Christen Harrison
11/9/2018 07:23:45 pm

The electric men in my neighborhood new I saved all kinds of animals from puppies to kittens to baby raccoons and this momma squirrel had her babies I a transformer and as she was trying to get back into her babies she was killed and blew the transformer. The babies on the inside they didn't have the heart to kill them so the brought them to me. I have done squirrels before but it had been many years. But my question is I got my babies as pinkies and I got one that had a deformed jaw to a week old where it had hair. The second I got it to 14 days and it had bottom teeth. The third she lived 28days both sets teeth in and eyes opened and white was coming in good tail hair getting longer. She ate several times today she had her 1am bottle was fine her 8am bottle and was fine 11 am she wanted morn so I gave her a little to top her off at 1 she ate again and at 7 I went in to check on her and she acted tired so I thought well she was more full of energy today than usual so I waited till 8 went in to get her and she was dead. I don't understand shewasnt sneezing nor gasping when she ate she was full of energy and was very healthy stool was yellow and urine was clear this unlike the other two I lost in the beginning. What did I do wrong? She was getting so big and fun! Crawling everywhere. She wasn't quite to the point of running around but crawling everywhere. I have picture from start to finish of today and everyday she got bigger and stronger! What happened?

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William
1/8/2019 02:22:04 pm

Hi, Christen!

Sorry for the late reply! If I don't get around to reading replies to my Blog articles I don't always know when people ask questions!

One thing that stood out to me in what you wrote was the fact that they were born in an electric transformer. I was just reading today about the damage that research is finding happen to the mitochondria of human and animal tissues from exposure to microwaves and high magnetic fields. The inside of an electric transformer has thousands of winding of copper wire that would produce a very powerful magnetic field. It possible that all those babies mitochondria were so damaged by exposure to that environment that normal replication of tissue cells was impossible. If it affected vital organs such as the heart of liver they would only live a very short life.

The scientists that did this study said that one of the main reasons all humans and animals die in old age is that the mitochondria has quit doing its job of replicating and replacing tissue cells.

It's very possible that why they all eventually died!

Bill

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Kimberley on behalf of Anna
12/15/2018 04:15:01 pm

Good evening and blessings to you, Mr. Sells.
I grew up with a veterinarian and am a geriatric NP. On Labor Day this year, a male grey squirrel fell approximately 30-40 feet from a nest after having been crying most of the day. He appeared to be approximately 5 weeks old. 4 days later, I returned home to find 2 more male babies at the base of the tree; one passed shortly thereafter. I was able to nurse and nurture "Rocky and Bullwinkle" (novel names,, right?) and presented them to a colleague 2 weeks later who had always dreamed of having a pet squirrel. Both boys were doing fabulous! I supported my colleague as the boys grew and was able to see them myself on occasion. They were very active, inquisitive, and appeared to be very healthy. Unfortunately, over the past 2 weeks, both boys expired, a week apart from each other. Appetite was intact, stools/urine normal, no apparent s/sx of acute illness or injury (indoor only), no reported lethargy. I recognize that without their precious little bodies for autopsy, it is unfair to seek your thoughts regarding possible cause of death but am curious if you have experienced this in your years of rehabbing squirrels and if you have, what have you learned that I might be able to share with my colleague? Like others on this blog, she feels wounded and responsible which is not the case. Time and prayers will heal but I am also certain she would appreciate your thoughts.
Respectfully,
Kimberley Birkemeier, RN, MN, ARNP-BC

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William
1/8/2019 02:07:01 pm

Hi, Kim!

One question. Were they given daily calcium after weaning? Squirrels need 20 to 40 mg of calcium daily to support the growth of their Incisors teeth. If they don't get it in their diet, their body will pull it from their bones, a condition called Metabolic Bone Disease.

Sometimes they become symptomatic with weakness to their back legs or seizures but they can also develop heart arrhythmia due to calcium being required for the re-polarization of the heart muscle and die of sudden cardiac death.

Also, in advanced MBD their bones are very brittle especially the pelvis and spine. When treating this condition the cage should be small and padded because one fall that would not affect a normal squirrel could shatter the spine of a squirrel with MBD and they can die quickly from Neurogenic Shock.

I had a squirrel 5 month old that died of a broken neck just from playing with his cage mate. He had established as the dominant squirrel in the cage and would chase the others away from the food. He charged his cage mate who was sitting in the corner of the cage. The cage mate jumped out of the way and the squirrel rammed its head into the corner of the cage and snapped its neck.

Young squirrels like some young people often think they are indestructible.

Bill

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Timothy Sapp
12/18/2018 05:43:36 am

Our fur babies keep dying at 5 months. Very playful. Eating well. Then they go to sleep an die.😭 any reason why?

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William
1/8/2019 02:24:54 pm

Hi, Tim!

Were they given daily calcium after weaning off formula?

Bill

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Tom Jacobs
3/13/2019 06:51:45 pm

Bill I have a squirrel I rescued. She is about 4 months old. She has a bald spot on the back of her head. A week later, she now has a bald spot behind both back legs. I’m starting to get concerned. She has no other signs of being sick. She eats, plays, and is very active like she normally is. I read it may be a fungus and might just go away. I also read mites may cause it. She has lived in my house since she was a few days old. What would you think giving the circumstances? Thanks!

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Kayla Marie
3/26/2019 02:53:54 pm

Hello, I just found this. I have 3 baby squirrels who i would guess to be 4 weeks or so. They have the two bottom teeth but their eyes are not open. One had a broken paw on the front but seems to be doing great... on the other hand one of her brothers has stopped eating so much today. He is the smallest out of the 3 but was eating fine and very active yesterday. Should I be worried about both of them? How can I tell if they have internal bleeding? We have had them for almost 2 weeks. Are we safe and maybe he just isn't hungry at the moment?

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Kayla Winter
3/26/2019 08:20:48 pm

He has started to breathe rapidly and although they have a heating pad he is still cold to the touch. What can I do? He was fine for the past two weeks and has not been exposed to anything that may cause problems.

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Wyatt
3/27/2019 10:24:11 am

I found 3 baby squirrels at about 3 weeks old, have had them for about 3 weeks now they were healthy and had their eyes open and then I found a separate one and put it with the brothers and sister.

I bathed them that night, and have had them on a really good feeding schedule. Well, within one week the runt of the 3 got sick started getting lethargic and had white rings in their eyes 2 of the siblings died along with the newer one I had. It was about 2-3 weeks old.

Now I'm down to one and shes going through the same thing.

She is barely eating formula and is too weak to eat nuts.

I've scoured several websites and forums and have come up short with the white rings in their eyes.

Any help would be more than appreciated

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Wyatt
3/27/2019 10:25:27 am

I found 3 baby squirrels at about 3 weeks old, have had them for about 3 weeks now they were healthy and had their eyes open and then I found a separate one and put it with the brothers and sister.

I bathed them that night, and have had them on a really good feeding schedule. Well, within one week the runt of the 3 got sick started getting lethargic and had white rings in their eyes 2 of the siblings died along with the newer one I had. It was about 2-3 weeks old.

Now I'm down to one and shes going through the same thing.

She is barely eating formula and is too weak to eat nuts.

I've scoured several websites and forums and have come up short with the white rings in their eyes.

Any help would be more than appreciated

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Wyatt
3/27/2019 10:27:58 am

I found 3 baby squirrels at about 3 weeks old, have had them for about 3 weeks now they were healthy and had their eyes open and then I found a separate one and put it with the brothers and sister.

I bathed them that night, and have had them on a really good feeding schedule. Well, within one week the runt of the 3 got sick started getting lethargic and had white rings in their eyes 2 of the siblings died along with the newer one I had. It was about 2-3 weeks old.

Now I'm down to one and shes going through the same thing.

She is barely eating formula and is too weak to eat nuts.

I've scoured several websites and forums and have come up short with the white rings in their eyes.

Any help would be more than appreciated

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Doug
3/31/2019 09:39:44 pm

I found this site because I'm heartsick over what happened earlier today, reaching out online for a way to process the guilt and pain that I'm feeling. We came upon a juvenile squirrel in our backyard yesterday who was behaving strangely. He was sitting on a fence rail, balancing himself awkwardly and looking very ill at ease. At first at seemed he was just sunning himself but after two hours we approached him and, as it was beginning to get later and colder, put him in a box with felt blankets and water (I looked this up on a different site) and brought him inside for the night.

He seemed a bit better this morning, but was still nestled in the blankets. He let my wife pet him and was in all ways docile and receptive. I was wondering if he'd been stunned from a fall or maybe had a leg injury, but he seemed to be doing a bit better. Later this morning, I put the box out by the tree where we'd found him so maybe his mother would find him. We also noticed two other juveniles on the lower branches of the tree and surmised they were siblings. All guesses, of course. When I checked the box a few hours later, he'd left the box and we rejoiced that he must have rejoined his family. I looked around and saw him nowhere.

I went to do an errand and my wife called me in a panic saying our dog had gone into the yard and was shaking the squirrel. She managed to stop him, but by her account (she is a nurse) his pelvis was likely crushed. I was immediately overcome by grief, shock and guilt. I got home as soon as I could where I found her tending to the little squirrel and trying to do what she could. We've been trying to give him water and a nut paste but he barely responds, although his eyes are open and he seems alert. He's badly hurt and probably won't last the night.

I love animals dearly, always have, and have always looked out for their well-being whether they are mine or otherwise. Seeing this animal suffering because of my neglect or carelessness is tearing me to pieces. I can't beating myself up for this senseless outcome, one I could have prevented if I'd been more careful. I haven't cried in years, since my last dog died, but I'm a wreck and I'm crying plenty right now. I guess I just wanted someone, somewhere, to know how horribly guilty and ashamed I feel at causing a beautiful creature to suffer. I blame myself, not the dog. He would have made a great pet or, better yet, a great wild animal. Sorry for the rant...

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Ana
4/5/2019 03:54:25 pm

Hi Doug - going through this process is hard, and I am so sorry for what you are feeling. ultimately, all we can do is our best. as much as we like to shy away from it, the cycle of life can be brutal, and sometimes things just don't make sense. with such vulnerable life, even the tiniest mistakes and oversights can cause tragedy. You could have left him out there with no support, and many people would have without a second thought. But you cared enough to take him in, and did your very best in those moments to care for him - even being selfless enough to want to reunite him with his mother when many would have wanted an excuse to have a baby squirrel in their house so they wouldnt have even tried. That says enough to me about your character to know that you are not the bad guy in this. in fact, there is no bad guy! life can just be unpredictable, and apart from actions we intentionally do to hurt others, we cannot blame ourselves for not being perfect. i'm sure even the most experienced rehabbers have made potentially fatal mistakes, and it is all a part of life. please don't be too hard on yourself, and i really hope your squirrel makes a recovery. If not, know you gave him more love and attention than most people would ever, and he was lucky to spend his final days surrounded by care and love. Sending you only healing and comfort!

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Kayla
4/1/2019 05:09:59 am

Doug,
I am so sorry to hear this and although you feel as though you could have done more there was not. We had 3 squirrels who had not opened their eyes yet. We did not know the state of their condition until after 2 trips to the vet. We had found out later that before they were brought to us for rescuing that they had fell 25 ft and landed on pavement. It was so sad because they seemed healthy and the only one visibly injured was one with a broken paw. Through later examination and a week of trying to keep them alive we found internal injuries from the fall at the vet's office. The first two died and we were heartbroken.as we watched the other one cling to life. He passed away yesterday and sadly I feel like it was because he felt the loss of his siblings. He was eating great and we had him on kitten formula and pedyalite and bathed him with a warm rag. I also feel guilt and heartache and hate to see these creatures suffer. I just wanted to respond and let you know that your not alone.

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Ana
4/5/2019 03:45:01 pm

I am so glad i've found this comment section, and that I am not alone in feeling grief and guilt over something like this right now. My parents had been taking care of a baby squirrel for the past three days, he seemed to be around 8/9 weeks old- bushy tail and all. he was lethargic but still ate a lot and was very affectionate. they were going to take him to a rescue this weekend after reading about how involved the rehab process is especially properly re-integrating them into the wild. They were giving him pedialyte with a syringe (little drops at a time so he could control how much he wanted), and for food giving him veggies and a little almong butter on some banana pieces. he lapped it all up happily. as i read more i told them to go buy some puppy milk for him, but they didn't have time as today when they got home from work they found him laying on his stomach breathing really slowly. he passed shortly after, even though 5 hours earlier he seemed fine. I cant help but wonder if we did something wrong, or that he died because he didnt have the puppy formula. he had a heated pad and was held a lot, they did everything they knew how to. I just feel a lot of guilt for not advocating harder on the diet or to take him to a rescue immediately. He had bleeding from his nose when they found him and he fell from a height, so i'm thinking maybe it was just some internal bleeding. either way hearing my parents cry was heartbreaking - it is definitely such a hard process

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Dominika
4/22/2019 04:21:58 pm

Thank you so much for this article! I lost my first (I'm estimating) 5- 6 weeks old baby today and I was absolutely heartbroken. I found him at my window far away from the trees. Initially, I though that the mum I feed regularly for years brought him over to be fed and I some how scared her off when walking to the garden.
I didn't know what to do so I called Wildlife rescue and they told me they would end his life if I brought it to them. Shocked to hear such horrible advice from a place they claim to save wildlife (I live in Scotland where grey squirrel is classified as an invader) I asked what I can do to save him as I didn't want to leave him in a place where fox comes over and aggressive seagulls fly over my head. They told me to take it home for the night and watch for mum to come look for him the next day.
I took him home and he was very lively. Started googling what to feed it with and as we breed cats, we always have powdered milk for orphan kittens for kittens that are too weak to feed of their mums, I fed him with that milk. He survived the night and as advised I looked through the window almost all day hoping his mum will return for him but she never did. So we kept feeding him and keeping him warm hoping that we can nurse him until his old enough to go back to woods. He survived another night but passed away next morning. I noticed he was weaker and he cuddled into me like he knew his going to go.
I started reading online how milk can cause them to die and I never felt more guilty in my life! But I couldn't believe milk would kill him and started looking for more rational answer. I'm a physiologist myself and knowing stomach reaction to poison I would expect him being sick first. But I didn't know anything about squirrels before and definitely not about their physiology.
It does now make more sense to see that it was an organ damage as he urinated almost straight away after feeding.
It was a devastating experience especially for animals lovers as our family - even cats wanted to help (pedigree cats have no hunting instinct at all).
I still don't know how he ended up in our garden but as you said, he was well cared for for two days and I don't have guilty conscious that I left him to be eaten by fox. I hope he smiles at us from squirrel heaven. Although I keep feeding his mum for years, I learned a lot more about squirrels with this experience.

Best wishes

Dominika

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Kaitlyn Renee link
4/30/2019 02:29:28 pm

I'm truly sad because even tho I'm young I got sorta attached and I was about to feed my young squirrel and he refused to eat them he stopped using his muscles and would just flop over and I don't understand

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Renae
5/19/2019 05:36:12 am

Thank you so much for posting this. We feel so reassured now not thinking it was our fault. Our dogs brought us a baby squirrel last week and I was guessing he was 3 to 4 weeks old. He lived for about 5 days with us and just died suddenly overnight. We thought for sure he would be fine and we'd be releasing him back in a few weeks. He was definitely a little piggy when he ate. :(

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Devin
8/15/2019 01:08:44 pm

The same thing happened over here. On the 7th my two boxers were licking and kissing the little guy who had fallen from about 20ft up. He seemed to be doing well. SO SO LOVING, and the last day in a half when I fed him he made a gagging face. I thought he didn’t like the taste of the milk. I’m now thinking maybe he had internal bleeding and was nauseated. When I went in this morning to pick him up for his breakfast he passed away. Im truly heart broken. And couldn’t live with the idea that I contributed to his dying. The whole thing is tragic. Even if it isn’t my fault. WE LOVE YOU NESSIE. ALWAYS AND FOR ALL TIMES. sending you kind thoughts and love. This stinks.

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Jahnavi
6/11/2019 07:50:51 am

My squirrel was unable to breath properly can u help me please

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Frank G Anderson
6/11/2019 04:55:02 pm

Korat, Thailand here. I found a very young (a day or two old?) squirrel still alive on 31 May, and we were feeding and taking care of it. He passed last night, and tears continuing we found him hours gone when expecting to feed him. I set him into the ground, and who could believe a 75 year-old American in northeast Thailand would be crying because of this. Thank you very much for the article, but it still hurts.

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Steven
6/15/2019 10:53:35 pm

Hi I got a orphaned baby gray squirrel his eyes opened that night well he was so much fun very healthy I left for1 hour to get some more food for him and I found him dead at the bottom of his cage?? And rigamortas was settalingi in and he had a Lil blood on his nose I was Blessed to Have ROCKY for 52 days what could have killed my Lil rocky?????

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Maura J Mandrano link
6/20/2019 06:31:24 am

Steven, I am so sorry for your loss. If your baby had just opened his eyes he was much too young to be in a cage. A baby squirrel should be in a container (bin or carrier) with lots of soft fleece to cushion any falls. I suspect that he may have fallen, and babies fall head first because most of their weight is in their heads. That's why you saw blood on his nose.

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William
2/16/2020 08:11:16 pm

Maura!

Good job on Steven! (NOT!)

That would be a real feat getting a 13 week old squirrel to live in a container! Steven said that he got the squirrel right after it's eyes opened, (5 weeks.) He then said that he had the squirrel a total 52 days, ( almost 8 weeks,) before he found it dead in it's cage. So, the squirrel was around 13 weeks old! Now, do you want to apologize to Stephen for laying a guilt-trip on him for keeping the squirrel in too big of a cage?

I doubt that will happen!

You lust want to come on my Blog and spew your Venom about killing squirrels by feeding them a high-fat milk diet!

Your argument is not with me. It's with the Ohio State University. They are the ones who said that whole cow's milk with additional milk fat added is the closest thing to Squirrel Breast Milk you can find!

If you don't believe me, read it yourself. Here is the link:

https://kb.osu.edu/bitstream/handle/1811/5665/V72N01_003.pdf?sequence=1

Scroll down to " Results and Discussion" and there it is!

" For comparative purposes,analyses of whole cow's milk and of evaporated cow's milk, both of which have been used to feed pre-weaned gray squirrels at the Waterloo Experiment Station,have also been included in Table 1.

I guess you think you are smarter than OSU Researchers!

Seriously though, quit believing all the lies spewed by PetAg and all the other jerks that are on the payroll. You're just being part of a big con-game to make PetAg richer.

It's not true that I force anybody to use my formula recipe. Read my Blog "Should I Feed A Baby Squirrel Commercial Formula?"

The first thing I say in this article is, " If you are happy with what you are feeding your baby squirrel, and the baby is doing fine, by all means keep doing what you are doing!"

If you are going to continue to come on here and spread lies about me and give misinformation about me, I will ban you from this Blog. I don't go to your Facebook page and lie and insult you, so I expect you to extend the same courtesy to me!

Bill

Check Mate!

William
2/16/2020 01:58:39 pm

Hi Steven!

Sorry for the late reply! For some reason, I'm not getting notifications when people comment on my Blog articles!

Please disregard the comment that "Maura Madrano" sent you! She obviously did not read all that you wrote and assumed that your squirrel was only 5 weeks old. She used your post as a Segway into trying to find fault and "rip" into me for her own reasons!

You said that your squirrel had just opened it's eyes when you received it, so that means that it was around 5 weeks old at that time. You went on to say that you had the squirrel for another 52 days before you found it dead with blood coming from it's nose. That means that your squirrel was around 13 weeks old. The idea that your squirrel was too young to be in a cage is preposterous and I'm sorry if that left you feeling guilty for having it in a larger cage!

Now, let's get to a real possible reasons your squirrel died. At 13 weeks, a squirrel is very active with lightening fast reflexes. Is there any possibility that while you were out something may have startled the squirrel ? It could be a loud noise, or a dog barking, etc., anything that would startle the squirrel could make it go into a fright or flight reaction.

In my experience squirrels have been known to injure themselves in in a variety of ways. I had a set of 3 gray squirrel siblings several years ago in a large cage. They were about the age of Rocky. One of the males was exerting dominant behavior by chasing the other two away from the food bowls. He would chase them all over the cage during feeding times.

One day I noticed him laying it a corner of the cage and not moving. I gently picked him up and noted that all four legs were flaccid with no movement nor reflex response when pricked with a pin. I moved him to an isolation cage with a warming pad under him. I transported him to my Vet for a shot of prednisone to try to counter the onset of Neurogenic Shock. He passed quietly during the night. Obviously, he had broken his neck. I could only speculate what happened.

I suspect that one of his siblings was sitting in that corner of the cage eating something, and he charged at him. The sibling probably moved out of the way just as he got to the corner and probably rammed his head into the corner snapping his neck!

When squirrels are that age they are so active and acrobatic that they sustain all sorts of injuries. Usually, they are things like broken toes or bones in their feet. But, on occasion they can injure themselves in ways such as you experienced. Often when blood is coming out of the nose or ears they have suffered a basil skull fracture.

A self-inflicted accidental injury is the most likely cause of Rocky's death. It had nothing to do with what you were feeding him and was no fault of yours!

I'm truly sorry for your loss, and the delay in responding!

Bill

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Maura J Mandrano link
6/20/2019 05:44:35 am

One again, Bill, your bizzarre 'advice' and hideously inappropriate 'diet' have killed a helpless baby squirrel. This time, a baby red in Michigan whose wonderful, devoted finder found YOUR site first and started the scalded milk crap diet. The baby struggled and declined for WEEKS. By the time we found a rehabber near her it was too late -- the baby died last night. She was 10 weeks old and 43 GRAMS, Bill! 43 freaking GRAMS! When will you and your minions stop killing baby squirrels? You say rehabbers are "arrogant"? That we "brow beat" people? No, Bill, I am browbeating YOU right now because this atrocity must stop. I have raised hundreds of neonates - my specialty -- on Esbilac and Fox Valley and I have a 95% survival rate, my friend. If that's arrogant, too bade -- it also has the advantage of being the truth. You Are Killing Baby Squirrels. Make it stop!!!

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Maura J Mandrano link
6/20/2019 05:51:33 am

I see several recent posts above where people are observing rapid or labored breathing in a baby squirrel. ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA is the leading cause of death in squirrels under human care! ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA can only be cured with antibiotics. PEOPLE, please do not believe this nonsense that it is anything other than aspirating formula into the lungs while feeding, which grows bacteria and causes labored respiration and death within two days. WAKE UP, people!

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VieEnRas
9/4/2019 09:39:57 pm

Yep, you are arrogant. Also an exaggerator with delusions of grandeur. Seriously... you have raised 'hundreds of neonates'... how big of a facility do you run? Because even taking in 5 per breeding season (which is a fairly heavy task for just a single person) - to reach 100 would take 10 years. So either you're wonder woman... or you're lying.

I'm going to place my bet on the latter.

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MJ Mandrano
10/12/2019 12:05:31 pm

VieEnRas, I have raised and released 275 squirrels according to my NY State logs. Of those, at least 200 came in as neonates because nobody else in my area will take them. I do approximately 15-20 babies per season, and there are 2 baby seasons in NY. "5 per breeding season is a heavy task for a single person'? Good grief, sweetheart, I do wish I only had to take in 5 but it always, always is more than 10. I have two part-time jobs and I'm 64. If you WANT to do it, you will find the love and the energy and the time. No arrogance, FACT. But the hell with me -- Bill Sells needs to stop killing baby squirrels with this crap diet!

UDHI
7/3/2019 07:27:40 am

MY SQURILL WAS DEATH IMMEDIATELY. I AM SO SAD ....

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Bronwyn Bartell
7/21/2019 12:55:25 pm

I have had my squirrel for 10 months and am devastated at his sudden death yesterday. Ray Ray had a lame leg and endured a head injury when we believe he was kicked out of the nest last fall. He was my baby and lived in my shirt between my boobs for hours at a time during the day. Ray Ray was not confined to his cage, ate and drank well, and was sweet as could be an hour before dying. He didn't lose control of his bowels, make a noise or jerk. He simply died in his sleep. I can't stop viewing the internet for possible answers or similar situations. Ray Ray acted more like a kitten, than a squirrel. So very sad.

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Devin Frankel
8/15/2019 12:51:23 pm

Hi Bill. my name is Devin, I’m 33. I’ll be 34 August 21st. On August 7th my dogs found a 2-3 week old eastern gray by big bear California. Being the kind souls they are they provided kisses not bites. As they were licking the little guy. We got him inside, fleece blankets, heating pad etc. over this last 7 days (the first 4-5) especially, he was engaged, enjoying his puppy formula cuddles kisses etc. yesterday morning I noticed him almost gagging upon feeding. I believed it was the Goats milk. I followed a couple ccs of goats milk with 3cc of plain water which he took down. At 8pm I put him to bed and at 8am he was passed on. Stretched outwardly. Not cuddled up for warmth. One of the most devastating days I’ve endured in my 33 years. I believe he fell from around 20 feet. I was absolutely convinced I killed (Nessie) from feeding milk while he was dehydrated. After reading your blog and doing the math. I’d like to ask you your thoughts. He passed 7days after caring for him. He fell a good 20 feet into a wooden deck. As tragic as all of this is regardless. My heart could tolerate his passing if it wasn’t related to anything I did. Yet from the fall and sustained internal injuries. Would that account for his gagging. He literally looked like he was trying to throw up. I thought he hated the taste. Do you think that was nausea. Would he be okay taking in water while internally bleeding but not milk? This little guy saved my life. And I believed I was saving his. I don’t want to avoid responsibility if it’s mine to bare. However I don’t want to live in a state of perilous self doubt and hate because if there was nothing that could have been done. Aside from what was. Thank you for you time. And thank you for caring enough to inform people. I would love to hear from anyone else going through this. Heart aches. Even though it’s not about me. It’s about the little guy who died alone in the night. Xoxoxo. SENDING YOU ALL LOVE. ESPECIALLY NESSIE. LOVE YOU LITTLE SWEET SOUL. IT WAS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE XO

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Marcus
8/16/2019 07:40:41 pm

My squirrel just now passed away extremely suddenly. I've had him for 3 months and I'm guessing he was maybe 6 weeks old when he came to me. He was so healthy and active and happy. He loved to curl up to me or just go for walks while perched on my shoulders. He loved to see me and would run up to me when I would come home from work.

He just started making a whole bunch of painful sounds so I ran to him to see what was going on. At first I thought he was having a nightmare because he was clearly sleeping when this began. He stretched out his legs and started giving them his attention, as well as his tail. I picked him up and he started to bite me so I put him back down and he went to the corner. I started petting him and he seemed fine again. Just normal small noises that he'd make. He crawled and dragged his hind legs behind him. That was strange and I thought maybe he had cramps in his legs. I really didn't think anything was serious but five minutes later I checked on him and he was lying lifeless on his side and I can't understand why. I loved this guy so much. I'm devastated and just so upset

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William
8/25/2019 08:11:41 pm

Hi, Marcus! it sounds like he may have died of Metabolic Bone Disease. If they don't get adequate amounts of calcium after they wean it pulls calcium from their bones. It's a painful condition and causes them to lose the use of their back legs. They often die of a heart attack because calcium is also needed for normal function of the heart.

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JackandRose
8/28/2019 11:44:43 pm

Dear Will!
Yesterday I found two newborn squirrels lying on the floor. They where not next to each other though. While looking around I found their sibling who had already passed away. Each had white blobs over their body and scratches on their limbs... Earlier a dog was sniffing around there and I guess he got to their nest. I hopped on a train and took them to a veterinarian. She gave me a syringe and told me to feed it goat or cat milk. I ran home made them a nest on a heating pad and fed them a mixture of salt water sugar and of course goat milk. One of them looked smaller and skinnier and didn’t want to eat as much as the stronger one. I fed them every two and a half hours. In the evening I saw that one started rapidly breathing and had a purplish abdomen. The other one was doing fine. After 5 minutes of observing it the little guy stopped breathing and then after 2 minutes started moving again... then he stopped breathing again and never woke up😩 I tried everything but he wouldn’t wake up. I still put him in the nest by his brother and I went to sleep. I woke up at 1 am for feeding time and they where both lifeless😭😢I don’t know what happens to the other one and I really loved them and hoped they would survive... I don’t know what I did wrong and I feel so guilty😞
Please answer because I really need to know what I did wrong..
Julija

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Isabella
9/1/2019 07:18:54 am

Hi there,
Two days ago we found a young squirrel in our yard (eyes open and covered with fur but still only about hamster size) with no mother and it was crying on and off. We kept an eye on it and gave it some pieces of apple. We get cats coming into our garden so overnight we put him safely into a box and he was fine yesterday morning. Throughout the day there was no sign of mum, although we do get squirrels often in our front and back garden. Then we heard another squirrel crying in the front garden, and then a squirrel of similar size (possibly smaller) appeared from the bush, so we reunited them and again kept them in a box so nothing big could get in overnight but they could get out if needed. Then this morning we found them moth dead, with one moving its mouth slightly, so we tried to give him a drink but it was too late. Do you know what might have killed them? We are so worried that it was something we’d done. They both seemed fine the day before, playing although maybe a bit shaky but happy eating apple and walnuts. We also couldn’t take them to the vet because in the uk it is illegal to release grey squirrels. What do you think happened? Thank you in advance.
Isabella

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Jerrie Obray
9/1/2019 02:10:25 pm

I found a baby squirrel probably 6 plus weeks. He came right up to me. I gave him some Gatorade mixed with water (I have sugar gliders) and some apple. He became lethargic and passed a few hours later. Did I kill him??

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Eden Hernandez HELP
9/3/2019 03:56:36 pm

Hi everybody, I found an orphaned squirrel that fits in the palm of my hand last Thursday by the side of a lake, lying there in the sun with no mother or nest nearby so I took him in. He had a small spot of blood by his ear and neck so i guess he was attacked by a cat or dog.
After cleaning him up I noticed he was covered in bugs and fly eggs 🤮 But looked otherwise healthy.
I rehydrated him, warmed him up and started feeding the next day with epsilac (puppy milk). He was energetic, pooping, crawling around everywhere.
I wasnt planning on keeping him so long but rehab centers around here dont take squirrels and he also kind of grew on me the sweet lil fella 😏
I ran out of epsilac and gave him some boiled up cows milk, then some vanilla ensure about 48 hrs ago.
He woke up with diarrhea so I gave him a bath and pedialyte, then a few hrs later I fed him some goat milk.
No poop, no real movement though he still grabbed onto the syringe. Oh he just opened his eyes yesterday so hes 5 weeks old.
Is it possible hes depressed after opening his eyes and seeing no mother or family around? Or does he need time to recover from the diarrhea? Or worst case is he dying????
He was sooo lively in the last few days and couldn't get him to stay in place, then Tuesday morning rolls around and hes just... lying there. Let out a little yelp for the first time too and sounded like hes in some pain.😥
Any help is appreciated! Please hes so sweet and I fell in love with him so thank you for this community and you guys support and squirrel saving 🤗

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Eden link
9/3/2019 10:16:35 pm

Also I wanted to add that the reason I kept switching his diet is bc of all the conflicting info online. (I'm learning as I go and most of my experience is with reptiles)
First site said puppy milk is best.
Another said the formula was changed and is no longer suitable so I switched to heated up cow milk. Then found out that's not enough fat, and vanilla Ensure is the better option.
Woke up with diarrhea and chucked the Ensure down the drain.
Spoke to a vet tech who said the puppy milk is best. Then spoke to a wonderful girl on IG who has taken in hundreds of squirrels who said puppy milk is mostly water and not enough nutrition so I should add whole milk yogurt.
Currently syringe feeding puppy milk with a spoonful of yogurt. Baby is 3.5 ounces and sleeping soundly now , hope he makes it thru the night.
Blessings everyone

Eden

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Dalana Hurlburt link
9/4/2019 05:39:07 pm

Thank you for this article. I tried hard to save a baby squirrel. She was about 2-3 weeks old. She was taking her formula well but suddenly went downhill. I had trouble keeping her warm. She went quickly. I wondered if it was internal, she fell about 2 or 3 stories. But I hoped. Then I wondered if I did something wrong. This makes me feel better. She was tiny and sweet and I got attached too fast. Her brother lasted a few hours. Another dead when we found them. She lasted about 3 1/2 days. It was a sweet but sad experience. Your article made me feel better.

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JR
9/16/2019 10:06:10 am

Same thing happened with mine. Lasted 3 1/2 days after falling. 😢 also had lopsided head so I think she had brain damage as well as internal bleeding. I’m still very sad.

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Eden link
9/5/2019 09:55:26 am

Baby SQ is doing a little better! Ive had my baby for a week now! Hes doing alright I think.
I have a Q for the SQ community- does anybody have experience with colloidal silver? Ive heard great things and wanted to try but have gotten a hard NO from experts in the field.
I want him to have the best chance but dont want to kill my baby !!!

Will hold off til i get more info.
Thanks!

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Amanda
9/5/2019 04:58:15 pm

Is there a way I could speak to someone via phone about care of our rescue? He is passing blood.

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Vanessa Orjeda
9/11/2019 12:37:22 pm

Thank you... I am really heartbroken. I took this baby home it was really weak and although he seemed older it was a little cold for my liking. I kept him warm and rehydrated him all night... 4 hrs after last feeding it died...
Curious enough it would do the same and uncover and move to top... so like you mentioned it was probably from the blunt fall.
Still heartbroken because this morning baby looked way better than yesterday and I was really hopeful. I don't regret trying to keep him alive...
Still sad...
Vanessa

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JR
9/16/2019 10:02:33 am

Thank you for this. I found a baby squirrel on Friday and today (Monday) she died unexpectedly :( after reading this it makes sense, I noticed some darkness in her abdomen that seemed to be moving around, I assume this was internal bleeding. Thank you for making me feel better !

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Aj
10/3/2019 07:35:40 pm

I have been caring for a baby squirrel for almost 3 weeks oh, I asked you made it to be about 5 weeks now. Yesterday he wasn't eating as much as normal and today he isn't moving, has diarrhea, and not eating. I have just been feeding and puppy formula and have been told I was feeding him too much and that it was too thick. Today has been trying to give him Pedialyte but he is not excited about it and only drink small amounts. Is there anything else I can do? I want to save him!

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Aj
10/3/2019 10:09:27 pm

He died a couple hours after I made this post. I'm so sad. On Tuesday he was fine started to walk had his eyes open, Wednesday he was still up and about just not eating very much and kind of spitting out some of his food but I still fed him, and he died on Thursday. I really thought he was going to make once we got past that first week. He was left outside all day hoping his mom would come back for him, but a friend's dog found him, he wasn't wounded or hurt so she brought him to me to care for him he was cold and stiff but after two days he was doing much better. After a week he was pumping up and look healthy.

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Katie
10/4/2019 03:43:42 pm

My husband brought home a baby squirrel last week from one of his job sites from our landscaping company. I have never taken care of a baby squirrel before and our wildlife rehab only takes birds and no rehabilitators responded back to me so we kept it. It’s eyes were closed and I think about 3 weeks/4weeks. I truthfully thought it had died after the first time we fed it. I was giving it pedialyte, then puppy formula w some pedialyte, water while I was waiting for fox valley .She was getting strong and starting to climb all over my hand and even fight me a little when I was getting her to go 1 and 2 which she was going very healthily her feeding at midnight .The next morning,( yesterday)she seemed weak and not as hungry for her first feeding and by second feeding she had climbed out of her covers? She was cold to the touch even though her box was 1/2 on a heating pad, I put her in my shirt and the covered us in the heating pad and she died there. I am so heart broken bc she had come so far and then just suddenly died :( . I was going over everything in my head of what I did wrong and literally bawled the whole day bc of killing her bc I didn’t feed her the right stuff, but baffled why she crawled out of her covers and became cold?This article describes to the t what I experienced and I am so thankful, I just wish I had found this blog sooner than later. In the end I’m assuming she took an internal blow from the fall, but this little squirrel stole my heart so fast, I’m still just devastated she’s gone, sweetest baby, Thankyou for being here and caring! I feel better knowing we loved her and did all we could do to make her comfortable for the week she was here

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Cindy
10/15/2019 05:44:14 pm

Hi about a month ago we found a baby squirrel it was mostly pink with a little bit of hair. I quickly got it warm and began getting it fluids and baby milk. I am a kitten rescuer . I have had this baby squirrel for about four weeks his eyes are open and he’s growing seemed fine. Fine for a squirrel all of a sudden he’s arching his back and crying and biting and running around his cage and then just falling off the sides and almost acting like a seizure or something. He never cried before ever.
he would eat go to the bathroom snuggle stay warm. I just wish I could help him. His name is Scratt. He was saved from a cat.

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William
2/15/2020 09:29:58 pm

Sorry for the late reply! I'm not getting notifications when people comment on my Blog articles.

If he was getting plenty of calcium, my guess would be that something or someone suddenly startled him and he may have rammed his head into the cage or some other solid object causing a closed head injury and seizure-like activity.

I had a squirrel a few years ago that I found paralyzed in the corner of the cage. He had two siblings that he liked to intimidate and exert dominance by chasing them away from food, I think he went to charge one of them that was sitting in a corner, and it moved before he got there and rammed it's head into the corner snapping it's neck. He died of Neurogenic shock a couple days later after a Vet bill for $90.00 which included an exam and a shot of cortisone!

Bill

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Kristy Spikes
10/19/2019 01:45:49 pm

My cat brought me a baby squirrel that was only days old.There was a few small wounds on him from the cat but I cleaned him up and he seemed very healthy otherwise. I did a lot of research and nursed him and cared for him for 8 weeks. I had just begun to wean him and put rodent food, broccoli, acorns, carrots, apples, bananas, shelled walnuts.and a wild mix of hamster/gerbil food which contained mostly seeds and nuts. I snuggled him and he was very vibrant.and sat on my shoulder. This morning I found him laying by the cage door dead. He didn't want his 2nd and last bottle yesterday but I figured he was weaning himself. What did I do wrong? After 8 weeks I thought I was home free. I'm very distraught.

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William
2/15/2020 09:19:00 pm

Hi, Kristy!
Sorry for the late reply! I'm not getting notifications when people comment on my Blog articles!

It's possible that he choked on a piece of food or nut. Squirrel's Incisors teeth erupt before their eyes open, and many people mistake teething behavior as a readiness for solid food. Their molars, (chewing teeth,) don't come in until 8 to 9 weeks.

We don't recommend any solid foods until 8 weeks and to start off with soft things like avocado.

Bill

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Larry Wilson
12/21/2019 09:01:03 am

I found a squirrel about two weeks ago on a window sill. He seemed a bit out of it. I gathered him up and placed him in a cage 24x24x14 or so with a couple sticks of firewood and a small cardboard box with a hole for entrance. I recon the guy was about 7 weeks old. We could take him out and hold him, letting him climb around and sleep next to us.

After about twelve days, he tended to stay in his box, which he had stuffed full of leaves, and seemed fearful of us. Today, thinking he might be dead, I took the cage outside and emptied his little box. The little demon ran around his cage as if being chased by O' Nick himself and finally making his way out scampered up a tree.

I taped his box to the tree and placed his food and water on a small table at the base of the tree. It seems kind of cold out, temps for the next few days range from 39-70. Do you think he'll be ok and should I do anything else for him?

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William
2/15/2020 09:11:51 pm

Hi, Larry!
Sorry for the late reply! I'm not getting notifications when people comment on my Blog articles.

I've seen other's that age make it. Instinctively, he will seek-out other squirrels. He will probably find a den where there are other squirrels who will allow him to sleep with them to keep warm.

I made a YouTube video a number of years ago about how squirrels stay warm in winter.

Bill

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Gina
1/11/2020 08:42:34 pm

Hello William I came across your squirrel nutrition site a few days ago. Excellent advice very informative! I told all my family & friends about you. The cat brought home a baby flyer one very cold morning November 1. Eyes & ears closed no tummy fur. My son thought it was a mouse & not alive he swept it. He opened his pink little mouth so he brought him inside warmed him & managed to keep him alive till I returned home from a weekend trip. No injuries! I took over and became his mom. Rally is doing great. He has a big cage, nesting box and a antler. We had been trying to find him a companion so he want be lonely. Imagine our surprise when a hunter friend called & said they found a baby in the woods. They didn’t want to just leave it there. But, it’s back legs don’t move. And she bites! Not fully understanding. Thought maybe it was just young. Of course we met him to get the baby. Yep she bites only 2 times when I first met her. To my surprise he was right the back legs didn’t move! She just dragged them. Neither did her tail. Her eyes, ears were open and she was fully covered in fur. I thought I could help her. Save her. I still had all my supplies from Rally. I started researching online what could be wrong with her legs and how to help. That’s how I learned of you. I was so happy when you told me you knew Squirell’s that were paralyzed. Can survive. I was blessed with her on Saturday fell in love with her on Saturday! I prayed and thanked God so many times! Every time I pulled back the baby wash cloth to pick her up and feed her I thanked God again. Only eating by drops at a time. It didn’t take long for her to start wanting that Syringe of milk. After 4 days I thought we got this she is doing better. I believe her little toes were starting to curl. 1-9-2020 Thursday I thought I was feeling something softly touch me while feeding her. Then I saw it her tail was actually moving. I was so excited! This had to be a good sign! I showed my friend she saw the tail move. We were in awe! After that feeding I cleaned her up. And put her in my shirt pocket instead of back in the container with the heating pad.
I thought she was resting. I felt her move around a bit. And every time I peeked at her I thought she was okay. She may have been in the pocket 2 hours. When I reached in to take her out something was not right. She was not okay. She was not breathing. I tried everything I could think of. I am so heart broken. I can’t sleep did I do something wrong? Did she smother? Did she get to cold? Did she not eat enough? I don’t understand what went wrong. I only had her 6 days. I loved her all 6 days! I still have her! I need to bury her, I know this. It’s just heartbreaking! So here it is 2 days later and I am still searching for answers. So I typed in why did my baby squirrel die? Starting reading and see it is you. The person who gave me advice earlier this week.
I almost emailed you back to ask. I was concerned about her stomach looking bloated even if it was not feeding time. And under the fur I could see a dark color like black. I thought maybe it was bowel. Bit as the day went on it looked like it was getting bigger. What do you think could have happened? I wish I could have saved her.
I hope I am doing the right things with Rally.

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William
2/15/2020 09:02:23 pm

Hi, Gina!
Sorry for the late reply! I'm not getting notifications when people comment on my Blog articles.

It sounds like it had latent internal bleeding from a failing organ. It probably had a fractured pelvis also. Those will often regain movement as the pelvis heals. You did nothing wrong!

Bill

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Jessica Patterson
2/3/2020 03:44:03 pm

I now have a pinky that has declined rapidly over the last 24 hours. He is lethargic, wont eat and blue. What can I do?

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William
2/15/2020 09:06:42 pm

Hi, Jessica!
Sorry for the late reply! I'm not getting notifications when people comment on my Blog articles!

I'm sure the baby died shortly after you wrote. It is not uncommon, and you did nothing wrong. They get internal injuries when they fall from the nest that don't always show up right away. (Sometimes up to 2 weeks.) They can be fine one day and dead the next, It was not your fault!

Bill

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Dave
3/9/2020 01:47:16 am

Hey William, thought you might like this if you havent already seen it.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2210653/The-squaddie-squirrel-Soft-hearted-soldier-nursed-dying-baby-creature-health-feeding-hours.html

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Lisa
3/10/2020 07:36:54 pm

My husband made a flicker nest box but our little squirrel friend who visits us regularly moved in. There's a little video camera in the nest box. Last night we noticed she had had a litter. Today one of the four pups doesn't seem to be moving. What will Mama squirrel do with the dead pup? The nest box seems pretty tight and they could use a little extra room.

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William
3/10/2020 08:40:32 pm

Hi, Lisa!

More than likely she will remove it.

Bill

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Ishita
3/17/2020 01:57:34 am

Today only I lost a two week old baby palm squirrel. It had fell out of a tree and my stray dogs were trying to figure out what it was. It's voice led me to it and I brought it into my home as it was night, four days ago. Yesterday, it was eating so enthusiastically. But, this morning it started twitching and opening its mouth at regular intervals and soon after it died. I had thought it would have died by the first night, so I didn't get attached to it. But as it survived that night and got stronger, I started to hope that it'll be fine. But today she passed away.

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Sanjivni
3/28/2020 01:53:56 pm

Sir,
I heard a few squeaky sounds outside my house, and I found a baby squirrel lying there and it wasn't moving at all though stray dogs were sniffing him. I picked him up and brought him inside. I fed him milk using a dropper and a paintbrush. It started moving but then we saw that he was bleeding from his nose/mouth. We crushed some Combiflam too and mixed it with milk. It was having some trouble in gulping the milk. He tried to move but not as such. He was in my hands the entire time, which I had covered using a plastic bag. And a few minutes later while giving some milk, it kinda froze, the milk came out of his nose and the heartbeat slowed and he passed away in my palm.
What else could I have done, sir?
I am feeling terrible about it. I have wrapped him in cotton and am hoping that he is just unconscious from the medicine and will wake up but I know the truth. It is so so painful. This was the first time I held a squirrel. I hope he is in a better place. Could it be that I fed him too much?

Regards

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William
3/28/2020 04:50:39 pm

Hi,Sanjivni!

So sorry to hear that you lost a little one! These things do happen. In the future, make sure the baby is warm to the touch before feeding. Always hold them with their head up while feeding and go very slow. If formula comes out of their nose, turn them head-down right away and allow gravity to prevent it from going into the lungs. If it had blood coming from it's nose, it probably took a hard hit to the face when it fell from it's mother's nest. When their sinuses have a blood clot in them you have to be extra careful about feeding because they are unable to breathe while nursing and you must pull the dropper or nipple out of their mouth to allow them to breathe between swallows.

Not every baby makes it and I appreciate your efforts to try to rescue it!

Bill

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Sanjivni
3/29/2020 01:58:20 am

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.
I will keep these points in mind if I ever face a similar situation again. The only thing which makes me feel better is the fact that I gave it some Ganga Jal (water of the holy Ganges river) minutes before he passed away.
Today, when we went to bury him, there were droplets of blood on the cotton in which he was wrapped. He had indeed injured himself from the fall.
Hope he is in a better place. Thank you.
🙏

Cali
4/15/2020 09:10:57 pm

Hi,

5 days ago a squirrel fell out of a tree in my backyard and I saved him from my dogs eating him. He fell about 30-40 feet. I think he was probably around 7 weeks old and I was feeding him formula. He was fine earlier today when I fed him then 4 hours later when I went to feed him again he was cold and barely moving. I tried to warm him up using a heated blanket and he did warm up but still died. I heard him screech so I went to check on him and he had his mouth wide open and looked like he was dry heaving then stopped breathing. Do you think he had internal injuries from the fall which caused his death? I hope this was not my fault :(

Thanks,
Cali

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William
4/15/2020 11:16:15 pm

Hi, Cali!

First, let me say how sorry I am that you lost this little one and was denied the chance to have it grow-up and join it's relatives in your squirrel community and be a backyard friend to you! It is really a life-changing event. God Bless You for your efforts!

The answer to your question is "yes," it had an internal injury. From what you described, this is probably what took place:

It was probably either the liver, a kidney, or the spleen that was bleeding inside the organ.

As my blog article revealed, their internal organs are encased in a tough membrane called "fascia." It probably had a pretty significant bleed inside the organ which built-up a significant amount of pressure, ( Picture a water balloon filling on a faucet and then bursting.) When the organ ruptured, it flooded the space where the abdominal organs are,( the peritoneum,) with blood.

When you heard the sudden squeak, that was probably when it ruptured. It's a sudden, sharp pain. Blood in the peritoneum causes severe nausea and uncontrollable vomiting. The organ was probably leaking some blood prior to rupturing, so it's little body was shunting blood from the surface of the skin to try to compensate for the leaking blood. This makes them feel cold to the touch and difficult to warm. It's called hypovolemic shock.They get lethargic and go unconscious.
It is actually a merciful way for them to die. Because the rupture happens suddenly and it is over. Slow leaks can go on for hours and days and you have the nightmare and frustration of having an animal trying to vomit and losing control of it's bowels and bladder and not being able to help or comfort it. It's a traumatic experience, especially when children witness it!

I always tell those who write, that the baby received more love in it's short life, than it ever would have received dying alone out in Nature, and for that, I thank you!

To some people I've suggested that they check with local Rehabbers who sometimes get a glut of babies that they are willing to foster-out a baby or two to raise and release. These are usually healthy babies that have long past the two weeks that I recommend people wait and try not to get attached. So, if you are so inclined, and have the equipment, that would be a possibility.

It's actually better to raise two because they are easier to raise and release because they have each other to bond with so that they don't think they are tiny humans. Sometimes a single one is difficult to orient to outside and are terrified when they are first introduced.

Thank-you for writing!

Bill

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Jackie
4/27/2020 04:48:54 pm

Sadly I just lost one Clyde, a few minutes ago. He was fine earlier today but when I went to check on them, Clyde was barely breathing. Very sluggish, lethargy, weak, not active and spunky as always. I placed him in a blanket from his nest and held him on my lap, he passed within minutes. He was not alone but Im very sad he passed. His brother, Daniel, is still alive and well, headed to the Wildlife rehabilitation tomorrow for further care.

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Tiffany
4/29/2020 12:07:42 pm

We found a squirrel about 9 weeks he seemed like he was hurt came up to us wanted to be held he was covered in fleas I was scared at first because I didnt know if baby squirrels carry diseases from fleas or anything but we bathed him in dawn dish soap gave him some water he was cold and seemed to be hurt so we held him in a warm blanket made him a box he ate a little and drank but the morning he was having a hard time moving and in the next two hours he passed away so we buried him I was glad he passed in peace because he looked hurt and the mom left him

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Kailee
5/6/2020 12:00:58 am

I have been a vet tech and rehabilitated many baby animals of many species. This was my first squirrel. He was fine and eating well. Small play, lots of sleep. Then one night he stood up and screamed!!! 30-40 seconds later collapsed dead. What the hell could this be?

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William
5/6/2020 07:21:53 am

Hi, Kailee!
That is what this Blog Article deals with. These types of death are almost always due to injured internal organs that the babies suffer in their fall from their mother's nest. Their internal organs are wrapped in a tough membrane called fascia. If an organ is injured bad enough to bleed internally, the fascia will keep the bleeding contained within the organ until it either fails or ruptures. When a organ ruptures death happens rapidly. The scream was when it ruptured and the animal quickly goes into into hypovolemic shock and dies, The tablespoon full of blood in the circulatory system fills the peritoneal cavity and when there is no more blood for the heart to pump, the heart stops and they die.

There is nothing that anybody could do to prevent it and squirrels are very good at hiding it. The main take-away from it is that you did nothing wrong! You would not believe how many rehabbers there are who lay a guilt trip on people that have this happen blaming them for everything under the sun as to why the baby died!

Two of their favorites are, "You fed it the wrong formula!" Or, "You should have taken it to a licensed Rehabber so this would not have happened!"

The fact is, it would have happened to them too, but many of them are so arrogant and condescending that they would have convinced themselves that it would not have happened if they got the animal sooner!

Don't let anybody try to convince you that you did anything wrong because it is not true. Tell them to talk to me, I'll set the straight!

Thanks for caring!

Bill

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Jennifer Jenkinson
5/6/2020 03:57:19 pm

Thank you so much for this article! We just lost the little guy we were caring for and are very sad. I was afraid maybe it was my fault. We are sad. Your article helps.

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Candy
5/19/2020 07:06:17 pm

Thank you for this article, although my heart is just as broken. I found a little squirrel about 6 weeks old back in March, had been raising him and he was thriving, had become a beloved family pet. My baby. Went with me everywhere. Played with us like a cat does. Made nests and hid seeds and nuts in all the couch cushions. Had a nice little squirrel habitat in his cage that he stayed in at night or while I was at work. Woke up today to find him lying on the bottom floor of the cage, dead. Blood coming out of his nose, mouth and left ear. No other apparent injury. He had been fine 6 hours earlier when I went to bed, running around and eating as usual. My kids and I are just devastated. We loved him so much and will probably never get the chance to get another one. 😭

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William
5/19/2020 07:55:00 pm

Hi, Candy!

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! I know how devastating it is!

Since there was blood coming out of the nose and ear{s} that sounds like a basil skull fracture.

Young squirrels are so full of energy that sometimes they take off on the dead run. When they are in a cage, sometimes that results in injury when the hit the cage wire.

I had a young male not too long ago that liked to charge at his brother and sister to keep them away from the food, One day, he charged his brother who was sitting in a corner, The brother moved, and he rammed his head into the corner which snapped his neck! He was instantly quadriplegic and died a short time later of of neurogenic shock.

It's an unfortunate fact-of-life in the squirrel world!

Again, I'm very sorry for your loss!

Bill

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Leah
6/3/2020 08:10:55 pm

My little Peanut was fine when I left for this morning. We played, had breakfast, a very healthy diet, I live with my mother and she played with him in the early afternoon And gave him his life lunch that he has been eating for 12 weeks. I come home from work at 6 and he's gone. He did fall out of the tree in the front yard, but I did everything correctly, what happened? Last night we played nose sugars and kiss that belly. I had Peanut so take he knew his name.

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William
6/3/2020 08:33:06 pm

Hi, Leah!

I'm so sorry to hear that you lost Peanut.

I'm not sure what he may have died from since you had him this long.

Sometimes they do things and injure themselves which sometimes ends in death. I had a squirrel that was chasing his sibling and he rammed his head into a corner of the cage and broke his neck.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss! I wish I could be of more help!

Bill

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Leah
6/5/2020 06:02:02 pm

Mr. William, the only thing I can tell you is that when he would sit and eat his belly was fat. I mean pudgy fat. He would hang like a monkey in his cage and I had a 3 story with ramps cage for him. It was huge. Mr. William I'm scared I did something wrong.

Urmila
7/23/2020 11:51:56 am

Hello..
l am Urmila...
As we know india is a mother of spirituality....l had a squrrl which I found him long ago and named him as Montu...
Since he was little big he eloped after few days...
Later from same montu mother we got one more baby called chintu..
He was so small ..
I nurtured him...
l was so attached to him even he too...
But suddenly his health was upset l couldn't see him that he wasn't passing motion and it was very bad infection and bad odour...
We took him to rehab and they admitted him...
Next day he was dead...
Same way 2 days back I got a squrrl...
Which was very active...
He had only milk but very active was not able to hold him...
He was running and hiding all over...
One day completely he didn't eat anything...
But today night l searched with lot of difficulty and found him...
Then l feed him with milk...
But after that actively he was playing...
Later I taught should feed him some more milk and took him and he ran away..
With help of my nephew caught him..
She told it has got hurt for leg..
Then when I took him he was so tired...
Checked his leg it was fine...
Then started to feed he was not drinking..
When I noticed.. he was not breathing...
But suddenly started to breath from mouth...
I started to press his chest...
Then he increased rate of breath.. l too increased rate of pressing...
Then l found him dead in my hand...
Felt very bad...
As we know india is a land of superstitious beliefs..
My mom and pappa started scolding me as it's Karma...
Please am depressed...
Some one help me 🤔😲😓😞😛😓😔

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William link
8/21/2020 09:36:31 pm

Hi,Urmila !

Let me first say that I am very sorry for your loss, and to apologize for taking so long to respond!

I was not sure how to respond to your email at first because I respect you and even the views of your mom and poppa.

Please understand that your parents do love you and their remarks about Karma came from a concern for your well being based upon their own understanding of Karma.

One of the most important things I learned in College had nothing to do with my degree in the Medical Field. The most valuable thing I learned came from English Literature 101 my Freshman year. I had a really good teacher who had us read some of the classic poetry and would have us come to class prepared to discuss our own interpretation of what we just read.

Our term paper assignment was the take the poem by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken" ( http://www.aestore.in/image/cache/71LE8GjERQL._SL1020_-800x800.jpg ) and interpret the meaning based on what "WE" believed it meant.

I had just completed a year at a Bible College, so I wrote my paper based upon what I believed regarding the choices we make in life determining our outcome. My instructor held and opposite view from mine, and challenged me on my views. The thing is, we both respected each other's views and ultimately agreed to disagree. He could have given me a failing grade on my term paper that would have caused me to have to repeat this mandatory class. Instead, I got an A+ for the course. He told me that even though he disagreed with my interpretation, it was valuable for both of us to see, and respect each other. That understanding and accepting our differences was a better way to live a life!

My opinion of what you did for Chintu was based on four qualities that you posses! Compassion, faith, hope, and love.

You had the compassion to see a baby that was in need of help.

You had the faith to believe that you were able and willing to try to help this squirrel.

You had hoped that your efforts would lead to a good outcome that Chintu would live.

And above all, you loved Chintu enough to put forth the effort to try to save his life.

It's my opinion that you did nothing that a doctor or nurse would not do for anyone they cared for. When I worked in the hospital, not all of my patients survived. I always did my best to do things to help them get better and live. But, I had to realize and accept that I am not God who ultimately determines when it is time to die.

That alone removes and shifts responsibility from me to God in regard to when it is time to die!

I think your ultimate motive for Chintu was because you loved that little squirrel, and for that, I nor God would find any fault! First Corinthians chapter 13 says it better than I.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13&version=NLV.

Thank-you, Urmila for loving one of God's most magnificent animals! You gave it more love in it's short life than it ever would have received dying alone out in Nature!

My love and prayers for you!

Bill

PS: If you ever need my support or have further questions you can always reach me at SquirrelHelp@Gmail.com!

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carla
8/7/2020 09:55:03 am

Thanks, i am so sad about my squirrels passing this morning, all your comments helped me greatly, i woke up to feed them and they were dead. I had them exactly a week, i thought we were over the hump.

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Emily
8/21/2020 04:28:45 pm

Thank you for making this blog full of wisdom and encouragement, Bill. I took care of a pinky that I found cold & alone at a botanic garden in Colorado. The security and workers didn’t worry about this newborn squirrel & they were just going to call animal control to come “check it out”. I researched a few rescue places, but there weren’t any liable options. My boyfriend and I waited a while, and decided to get him warm and fed because the evening was coming soon and we didn’t want him to freeze or starve. We cared for him for a week, waking up every 2 hours to feed him & making sure his heating pad & blankets were keeping him warm. We watched little hairs come in, his ears, whiskers, and eyes (behind the skin) get bigger, and gave him so much love. He was using the bathroom regularly & we stimulated him too. We weaned him onto puppy milk after rehydrating him with a pedialyte & water mixture, and then rotated mostly using the puppy milk. This little guy was a trooper until this morning, he was pale & spread out, yet still warm from the heating pad & blanket. Squirt didn’t make it like I hoped and prayed for. I’ve been crying all day and searching for answers about what I did wrong. I never knew I could love something so much and if I hadn’t found this website, I’d still be running through the possibilities of what I did wrong. I’d like a full guide of baby squirrel care if possible because I know my mission isn’t over. I was discouraged, but after reading this website, I’m reassured that I’d love on creatures millions more times before ever letting them suffer alone. I want to learn so much and save some lives on my journey! Thank you everyone for sharing! Sending love and compassion to you my friends. It’s beautiful to have people that care for nature too! 💜

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Suzy Andrus
9/1/2020 02:26:37 pm

I have a three-ish week old baby for a little over two weeks now. Over the past few days, all I've been doing is treating a revolving issue of constipation and diarrhea. As soon as I get one cleared up, it's replaced with the other. Right now she's on Esbilac puppy replacement. I just ordered the Fox stuff for "eyes closed" babies, but it won't be here for a few more days. I've done the whole "skip a feeding", "give pedialyte", "dilute the formula", etc. which resolves one issue but brings on the next. I've also been on the squirrel board where I was met with exactly the type of people you described above. Absolutely useless and unhelpful and completely full of themselves. So I never did get the advice I'm seeking. I'm not new at rehabbing orphaned animals, but it's always been baby birds or puppies, so this baby is new to me. However, I don't think I'm so inept that I need take her to a professional rehabber...at least not yet. My goal is to soft release this girl one day but can't do that if she's dead :/ Any suggestions on how to fix the cycle of C to D? Thanks in advance! I know you're probably busy so I appreciate even the consideration of replying.

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William
9/1/2020 06:54:41 pm

Hi, Suzy!

I'm sorry for the trouble you are facing with your new baby! It sounds like there may be an intestinal infection. Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto'), and Giardiasis kills a fair number of baby squirrels in the nest because their mothers usually drink out of stagnant water and have built up an immunity to them. Even if waterborne illnesses do not pass through the mother's milk. they still come back to the nest or den with wet fur. Babies root all over their mother early in their life and can pick up these diseases.

In addition to giving electrolyte solution I like to give a few drops of 10 to 20 PPM Colloidal silver 3 times a day for a week and I add a half cc of Plain yogurt with live cultures to each syringe when I feed.

If s baby is really sick, I give the Colloidal Silver via a Nebulizer.
It gets into the blood quicker! If there are intestinal parasites, the colloidal silver will kill them and help settle-down the inflammation.

It is not uncommon for baby squirrels to die suddenly due to occult internal injuries to abdominal organs. Read this Blog article I wrote a number of years ago. It is one of the most read articles I ever wrote. It literally thumbs the nose to the arrogant, know-it-all rehabbers who love to blame every death on feeding the wrong formula!

Keep me posted on your baby's progress!

Bill

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William
9/1/2020 06:57:32 pm

Sorry, I forgot to include the URL: http://www.squirrelnutrition.com/blog/why-did-my-baby-squirrel-suddenly-die

Bill

Suzy Andrus
9/2/2020 06:22:54 am

Thank you so much for replying! Hopefully I'm not taking advantage of your willingness to respond :P I wanted to follow up with a few questions. I picked up Greek plain yogurt with live cultures just now on the way to work (I bring the baby with me to work and keep her in my hoodie pouch all day, unbeknownst to my students :), and wanted to know if I need to heat it up along with the milk, or add it to the syringe unheated. They didn't have the colloidal silver so I ordered some from Amazon and it'll be here tomorrow. Do I just add the drops to the unheated milk then heat it up as well? Which brings me to another question...on the squirrel site, they said you should never heat up the milk formula in the microwave...is that true? Being in a school building, it's really my only option during the weekday since there's no sink with hot water.

So right now, the baby is constipated after a huge blowout yesterday morning. No poops since then :( She's still very active when it's feeding time and she's a little piggy so hopefully that's a good sign. Plus, she's never been bloated. I weigh her every morning and she's consistently gaining weight. She started at 42 grams when she was given to me (she was outside the school building covered in ants). Right now she's at 112, which is up around 8 grams from yesterday. I'm pretty sure she's three weeks old because her ears opened two days ago.

Anyhow thank you again for your time! I really do appreciate it!

William
9/2/2020 08:44:49 am

Hi, Suzy!
Good to hear that the baby is still alive! Lots of women carry their "Pinkies" to work. I laugh about the well endowed ones who keep them in their bra or cleavage, but it works well!! :>)
Microwaving milk is not a good idea because it heats by exciting the molecules from the inside causing them to explode. There is a school of thought that believes that it changes the molecular structure of food and they believe that it makes what they call,"Frankenfood."

The Yogurt should not be heated beyond warm to keep the acidolphilus alive to populate the gut. You could take a small zip lock bag and put a small quantity of formula and a teaspoon of yogurt in it. Seal it and shake it well and slip that into you bra. It would be kept at body temperature which would be perfect.

I've done the same in Winter when my wife and I take babies to schools and Nursing Homes to give squirrel talks. When my wife is not able to go, I carry it in my shirt pocket inside my coat. When I get to the point of showing how we feed them, I pull it out and carefully draw out what I need.

You can add Colloidal Silver to the formula or give it direct into the mouth. You will not overdose them on it because all colloidal silver is, is nano-particles of pure .999 silver in distilled water. Silver is inert in the body and the liver and kidneys excrete it the same way it does any trace metal minerals like selenium, magnesium, iron, etc. What our Government and Big Pharma' does not want modern humans to know is that bacteria, viruses, and fungus cannot live in the presence of pure silver. It has been used for thousands of years to treat disease going all the way back to Ancient Chinese and Ayurveda Medicine. One "biggie" the CDC does not want to get out are the studies around the world that have proved it to be effective against SARs and Covid viruses. My wife and I have taken it for over 20 years and we have never gotten the flu in that period of time, If we feel a cold coming on, we take extra, gargle and swallow, spray our nose with it and even breathe it in through our nebulizer or have our kids put it in their kids cool-mist vaporizers when they catch a cold.

If you send me an e-mail at squirrelhelp@gmail.com and request a copy, I'll send you a study out of Italy about it working on Viral activity! Whenever there is anything published about it in America they always refer to it as AgNP. Ag the Atomic symbol for Silver, and NP for nano-particles. They don't want people to make the connection with Colloidal Silver!

Bill

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Suzy Andrus
9/2/2020 10:37:24 am

So besides the potential for extra attention ( :P ), how long will the mixture last in my bra without going bad? And during her 10:30 feeding today, I noticed one eye starting to open, making her older than I thought. Yet I ordered the Fox formula for the eyes closed babies. Can I still feed that to her or should I go ahead and invest in the eyes open formula?

And I will e-mail you for the article! I just can't imagine the powers that be trying to manipulate information (sarcasm!) I've got a pretty large bottle of the silver stuff coming so maybe I'll use it myself as well as for the baby.

Ok I promise not to bother you anymore with my questions! Thanks again!!!

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william
9/3/2020 08:13:55 am

OK, Your baby was probably born July 29. I count back 5 weeks from the day the first eye opens to set the date of birth. So, your baby is 5 weeks old.

The formula will be fine through the day as long as you don't grossly contaminate it when drawing it up. Baby squirrels are born in filthy conditions and manage to survive. Their immune systems are stronger than any humans!

I don't comprehend the "eye-open" concept. Squirrel breast milk is up to 24 % milk fat according to this OSU study: https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/5665/V72N01_003.pdf?sequence=1. Every commercial formula I have studied start with skim milk and go downhill from there.

I don't make a big deal trying to get people to switch formulas, but I can tell you that most commercial formulas are more about making a lot of money for the company, and far less about optimal nutrition!
See: http://www.squirrelnutrition.com/blog/should-i-feed-a-baby-squirrel-commercial-formula.

Sorry about the e-mail I sent requesting what article you were requesting. I get tons of e-mail during the two birthing seasons per year and they all bluer together when I am responding in the middle of the night. I see above that it was the study out of Italy you were requesting!

Bill

Suzy Andrus
9/29/2020 08:06:45 am

I appreciate your help! I wanted to give you an update on the baby. I took your advice and started her on colloidal silver and active yogurt in her milk. Her poop issues resolved almost immediately and three-ish weeks later she's still doing great! My goal is to keep her through the winter and begin a slow release around March or April, depending on the weather. I'll miss her terribly but the thought of forcing her into a life of captivity is only selfishness on my part. Again, thank you for all your advice, you were a God-send!

William
9/29/2020 09:26:04 am

Hi, Suzy!

That makes me very happy to hear that your squirrel is doing great! You will not regret releasing her in the Spring! She will not forget you as long as you maintain a daily time with her to feed and interact with her. What will break your heart, is the day she stops showing up! That will be the hardest goodbye, ( short of a spouse or relative dying,) that you will ever face.The hardest one for me was losing my blind Lucky girl after having her 12 years and 43 days!

Congratulations on your successful rehab!

Bill

Pamela
9/3/2020 07:47:45 am

So I found probably a day old pinky in the ditch by my house and have had it for 3 weeks, well tomorrow would of made 3 weeks. He ate well through a syringe and nipple up until last few days I noticed he wasn't eating as much. Well this morning I went to feed him and he was gasping for air, mouth slightly opened with the tongue able to be seen. I scooped him up trying to stimulate him and breath and rub as I have done saving other baby animals. And unfortunately he took his last breath in my hand. 3 WEEKS I HAD HIM, I THOUGHT WE WERE IN THE CLEAR! sadly not. Reading this has helped me understand that it was nothing I did. It sucks cuz you can't help but get attached to them.

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Anita
9/7/2020 10:39:13 pm

Had a baby squirrel for about a week and a half. He was around 6 weeks old and doing good. Then he just went down hill today. He died on my chest tonight. I am so sad. Reading the post here let me know it wasn't anything I done wrong. I was already so attached even though I knew better.

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William
9/8/2020 07:01:32 am

I know what you mean! I shed a tear when they arrive at our facility and die just a few days or hours after arriving. I say a little prayer and ask God to please put them in a garden close to where I'll be, (I can hardly wait to see my Lucky girl who died April 29th, of this year 2020. She was my blind companion for 12 years and 43 days. I miss her so!

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Kai
9/9/2020 01:11:15 am

Hello William,
I am very concerned my baby squirrel might be getting worse. Would you be able to look at the case via email?
Thanks,
Kai

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Dawn
9/15/2020 10:30:25 am

Hi, I found 3 baby squirrels in my backyard crying for their mom. One was in bad shape when I found him, the other two were pretty good. I fed them some boiled water with sugar and a pinch of salt right away as I could tell they were dehydrated. I then put them in a box with thick towels and a bottle of warm water to warm them and placed them back by the tree in hopes that the mom would come get them. I went back out before bed and replaced their warm bottle and fed them a little more of the water. In he morning the one had passed away and I still wonder if I could have done more for him. The other two I warmed up and fed some more water. I went and purchased the puppy supplement and mixed up a weak feeding and called around. I ended up dropping them off at a place that said they would take them. I would have loved to keep them but am traveling the next two weekends and didn't have anyone that would take them and care for them. I have been grieving them all so terribly. I am one of those people that fall in love with all animals so fast. I want them back so bad it aches but I know that I am not knowledgeable and if they both passed I would grieve all the more. I just cant help wondering if they are being taken care of and loved the way I would have loved them. I hope this feeling goes away fast because I'm tired of crying all the time. My husband doesn't understand. They were incredibly sweet and such good little eaters. I will remember them and miss them forever. So even though two of them (a boy and a girl) were still alive and looking good I feel like I lost them. :-(

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Liz Alderson
9/24/2020 08:31:59 am

Dear William
Your website was just what I needed. Ive had my little baby squirrel CHIP for 5 days and he was doing so well. funny, happy and full of life. This morning, he ate a good breakfast of the Royal Canin food and he had a lovely little cuddle with me, but he did seem a bit sleepy, so I put him to bed and when I went to feed him and sit with him tucked in my sweater (ive been doing this every afternoon since i found him) he was really really cold and very weak. He died tucked in my sweater and at least he didnt die along. Obivously I am so very sad and I couldnt help getting attached to him. We have been through so much together in 5 days, its hard not too. But your words nad your article are wonderful to hear. I am so thankful for your words. He was a lovely little chap and I hope he gets chance to come back down to this wonderful earth. thanks for making me feel better about my grief XX

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Kathy Waddell
10/1/2020 11:11:55 am

Dear Bill, 4 weeks ago I found a nest blown out of a tree with two baby squirrels in it that were cold. Actually, I realized later that the babies were premature, didn't even look like new borns yet. One was very badly injured in the face and died shortly. Because my son had recently saved a baby I was already familiar with the rescue process and began trying to save the other one. Warmed her up, started with homemade rehydration fluid, stimulated her to pee and then gave her goatsmilk formula. She was doing well except her poop was a little soft. She had a cripplrd leg, but was the strongest little trouper, very wiggly and a "guppy " feeder. She was developing normaly except about a week late. Then one night when she was about 1 1/2 weeks she started to bleed from the rectom. When I stimulted her a large bubble of blood came out and I just knew I was going to loose her. I said goodbye and held her on my chest for 4 hours so she wouldn't die alone in her box. She never settled down against my chest so I decided she might actually be more comfortble in her box since it was familiar. I was totally expecting to find her dead in the morning, but she was still alive. She ate and never bled again. Another time she started to have white soft poop, but I got that under control. I decided if she made it I would name her Miracle. Afterr that she never had any issues and was thriving except she was too thin and her poop was not seed, just one semi soft piece. I started her on Fox Valley to see if she would start to gain weight, which she did, and her poop turned into perfect color little seed. She was thriving and developing. Since I had passed the 3 week mark I named her. Then one morning she was lethargic and wouldnt eat. My so said she looked dehydrated and got her to take fluid. Latrr I couldn't get her to take fluid or formula. Then she got diarreah. I continuid to get some fluid in her drop by drop even though she didnt want to take it. Again I was sure I was loosing her but at 4:30 am she was still alive and I gave her more fluid. Then at 8:00 I found her dead. The only thing I did different before she went down hill was I had to travel to my son's house about 45 minutes away. I put her box inside a larger well insulted box with hot water bottles and hot rice socks for the drive. Her box was still warm when I arrived. I took her supplies and continued her feeding schedule. I agzin prepared her box for thd trip home. I had to make this trip Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday. It was Wednesday morning that she was lethargic and woulnt eat. I actually think I overfed her Tuesday night and I also could not get her to eliminate. I am wondering if the car trips were to much for her even though she traveled in her box inside the insulated box. Maybe the noise of my noisy engine or csr fumes. She had come through so much, even being premature. She was toughest little thing, and then to just go down hill and die at 3 1/2 weeks. I am so heartbroken, I loved her so much.

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William
10/15/2020 07:52:59 pm

Hi, Kathy!

I'm sorry to hear that you lost your baby squirrel. It sounds to me that there was something going on in the gut that was eventually not compatible with life. Passing blood is not normal, and the up and down roller coaster of getting lethargic then getting better is also not normal. My guess is that it had an occult injury from falling out of the tree.

Traveling with a baby doesn't kill them. When Lucky was a pinkie I used to take her everywhere in my shirt pocket. So, without being able to do a necropsy on the squirrel that would be my best guess!

Bill

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Michele
10/15/2020 02:01:02 pm

My hubby rescued a baby squirrel last month that was trapped in our wall. We kept him in a cage bcuz he bonded to my hubby Jim right away and didn't wanna leave him. So we named him Lucky. He was well fed nd well taken care of even Jim gave him a bath the next day of being rescued nd Lucky loved it. However long story short he passed away yesterday afternoon suddenly stuff as a board. When Jim turned him over there was blood coming from his mouth. His diet mainly consisted of peanuts etc bought from Walmart here in Hamilton Ontario Canada. Plus other goodies like non-salted crackers. Nothing junk cuz we have 2 pet rats too... so just wondering what would be the cause of his death? Ty Shelly & Jim

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William
10/15/2020 08:01:43 pm

Hi, Mischele!

I'm sorry to hear that you lost your little Lucky! You didn't say how old he was when he died, so I can only speculate.

Blood coming out of the mouth or nose usually indicates trauma. Sometimes when a squirrel is startled they can take-off like a bolt of lightening. Sometimes when that happens, they can ram their head into the side of the cage and suffer a closed head injury. Sometimes they just fall from the top of their cage and land wrong on their face or head with the same result.

Not being able to see it and evaluate it makes it difficult to determine the cause of death.

Sorry again for your loss!

Bill

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Shelly
10/15/2020 10:11:35 pm

Hi Bill we think in squirrel age he hadn't even reached adolescence yet... we only had him a couple months & he was only a lil handful in Jim's hand. The only thing that might've scared him is or lol dog (pug x) Bella. She barks at sometimes or barks at our pet rats. So that's about it for all we know. 

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Meghan
11/1/2020 08:21:46 pm

I lost a little one just an hour ago. I'm just so bewildered and crushed. I have had her for more than a month now. She had two brothers when we found her, they passed in the first week or so. She made it through. This week she was estimated 8 weeks or so. She was doing wonderful and taking to real food very well. She was bouncing all around just yesterday. This morning she seemed to not feel great, but ate well. She ate well again this evening, then took a nap with me as usual. About 9pm she became incontinent and faded fast, got weak, then limp... Then short of breath and gone all with in an hour. I don't understand. What changed? </3
I have raised dozens of babies in the past (some years ago) and never lost one. This year all 3 :( She was already turning into a big girl, I don't know what happened.
I understand this internal bleeding issue. Would that still be likely after a month of doing well? She was progressing just as a little squirrel should. She was perfect.

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William
11/2/2020 06:40:28 am

Hi, Meghan!

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! But, yes, they can have delayed problems. Our last little girl rehab was about the same age as yours when she suddenly had a seizure, She got better and had no seizures for a week, then had another one and died. I have no explanation. But, it sometimes happens and God only knows why!

Bill

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dharanya
11/3/2020 06:12:48 pm

Hi, my Indian palm tree baby squirrel, I gt her when she was 1 or 2 days old, now she is 2 months and I took good care of her, she was active and 2 weeks old. healthy and active.
By last 2 days she is mostly in her squirrel house. Sleeping Al the time and at times comes out and sips water or milk, half a grape. She used eat all the time. I thought its because of cold winter climate. Today morning she had some water, went into her house, came back, and vomited some water with bubbles. am afraid. Pls help me.

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William
11/3/2020 06:53:46 pm

Hi, Dharanya !
I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems with your Palm Squirrel!
I would like you to contact my associate in SriLanka. Her name is Shanaz. Here is her e-mail address: cshanaz@gmail.com. I will cut and paste your message and send it to her so you will not have to repeat what you told me. She has a lot of experience with Palm Squirrels and may be able to advise you on what to try.

I will be praying for your baby!

Bill

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Mash
11/29/2020 09:53:40 am

My squirrel baby which I was taking care upto 3 weeks was strong and very active..it was eating apple and having milk...but morning one day when I try to wake up it was dead and eyes were filled wit tears....but why it was dead??????? Pls answer

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William
11/29/2020 06:04:04 pm

Hi, Mash!

First let me say how sorry I am to hear that your baby squirrel died! These kinds of e-mails break my heart!

The short answer to your question is, I don't know specifically why your baby died. That would take an autopsy to look at the various internal organs to make that determination.

What I can tell you is what is the most common cause of sudden death in baby squirrels. And that is the question of; " What happened to the baby before you found it?"

Most baby squirrels fall out of their mother's nest for one reason or another. What you don't know is what it may have hit on the way down, or simply the impact when it hits the ground!

Baby squirrels are tough little creatures that are very good at hiding injury. It's a survival instinct. If an animal acts or looks like it is injured, there are many predators, both bird and mammal, that take notice.

A baby squirrel's internal organs are wrapped in a tough membrane called fascia. Let's say that the liver takes a hard blow from the fall and it starts to bleed inside the organ. The tough fascia will contain that bleeding inside the organ until it either starts to leak blood, or the organ begins to fail.

The baby can look and act completely normal up until that liver either leaks or starts to fail.

If it starts to leak blood they usually die very rapidly because the total volume of circulating blood is only a few milliliters. They quickly go into hypovolemic shock and their heart stops because it has no more blood to pump. They can be fine one day, and dead the next.

If the organ is in the process of failing, the squirrel's appetite is an early sign. They don't eat and drink like they used to. They become less active and sleep a lot!

My first squirrel, Lucky girl, died on April 29 of this year at the age of 12 years and 42 days. She had weak kidneys since she was 2 years old. She ultimately died of kidney failure, The last month of her life. she would sleep 23 hours per day. I would have to wake her up to feed her and had to force her to drink water.

After having raised and released around 80 squirrels in the past 13 years, my guess is your baby died from an internal injury. I've had them die up to 6 weeks after we receive them.

By the time they have symptoms, it is too late. If a Veterinarian tried to do surgery on them, they would die from the anesthesia because their immature liver cannot metabolize the anesthetic gas fast enough.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss, but please don't blame yourself! It was not your fault!

With Sympathy,

Bill

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Des
12/6/2020 09:55:36 am

My baby just died :( she’s 4months old took her to the vet Thursday bc she woke up and her bk legs weren’t working. Told me she had matabolic bone disease due to a calcium deficiency and sent me home with calcium supplement anti inflammatory and pain meds she stated to improve and was seeming better last night at 2am but woke up at 9:30 and she had just died (was still warm and not in Rigamortus)

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Des
12/6/2020 10:11:23 am

POSTED THIS COMMENT SO I COULD ADD EMAIL NOTIFICATION
My baby just died :( she’s 4months old took her to the vet Thursday bc she woke up and her bk legs weren’t working. Told me she had matabolic bone disease due to a calcium deficiency and sent me home with calcium supplement anti inflammatory and pain meds she stated to improve and was seeming better last night at 2am but woke up at 9:30 and she had just died (was still warm and not in Rigamortus)

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Mayur Prajapati
12/24/2020 07:22:41 am

I found two baby squirrels few days ago. I think they were less then a week's age. I found them in a nest built in my cupboard. One was fallen down from nest and other was in nest. I put them back in nest and waited about a night for their mother to return. But no luck. So I thought of feeding them myself. I searched through internet and accordingly i fed them sugar salt water solution for rehydration. And after that i fed them cow's milk in diluted condition. Then i started feeding them ensure formula. Yesterday night i found one of the baby in very odd condition. He was shaking very much. I tried to comfort him with some additional heat but still he was shaking rigorously. I fed him at night. He ate it as usual. I put him to sleep. Next morning i found that his movements were very dull and slow. He was very little responsive and grip was also very loose. And he did not eat anything. And after an hour he totally stopped breathing. He died. I didn't understand what went wrong. After he died i just observe that when i was pressing his belly a little, some fluids were coming out of its nose. I was very sad. I would like to ask for suggestions on feeding my other baby squirrel so it will not happen with him. Please reply me on this matter. I am really attached to the baby.

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William
12/24/2020 10:01:09 am

Hi, Mayur!

The cow's milk you fed, did you bring it to a boil first? Scalding the milk destroys the enzyme Lactase, (milk sugar.) Squirrels are very sensitive to high levels of sugar in their blood because they have a very tiny pancreas that can only metabolize simple plant sugars. Stop the Ensure because that has horrible stuff in it that squirrels should not have. The baby that died was shaking because it was on the verge of a hyper-glycemic seizure.

Keep giving the remaining squirrel your homemade electrolyte solution to dilute out the sugar in it's body and start feeding scalded milk.

Keep me posted on its progress at SquirrelHelp@Gmail.com.

Bill

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Valerie link
1/7/2021 03:17:04 am

William,
I can't tell you how completely broken I've felt until I read your page. I had a baby flying squirrel my cat brought in 5 days ago. She just had a litter of kittens and gave away the last one on Christmas Eve. She brought in the squirrel completely unharmed, she didn't break even break the skin. I think she was wanting him to be her baby as well. I went to the pet store right away. Got everything you could possibly need.. Formula, bottles, baby blankets.. Even sewed him a little bed to sleep on. He seemed to be doing so great and then yesterday he was chirping away ready to feed and all the sudden he stopped breathing. I panicked so I tried giving him air and we brought him back. He then had a seizure and died. I can't begin to tell you how much I have beaten myself up trying to figure out what I did wrong. Not only that but hearing how other people also have gotten attached in 3-4 days. I haven't stopped crying yet. I've never fell in love with an animal so quickly. These are the most amazing creatures I think I've ever had. I hope to get another sometime soon!! Thank you for lifting a horrible weight off my chest knowing I didn't kill him.

Semper Fi!
Valerie

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William link
1/8/2021 11:21:26 am

Hi, Valerie!
Your message moved me to tears! I know exactly the heartbreak you felt over losing your little flyer. I've been there many times! My most recent was losing my Lucky Girl after having the privileged of raising her for 12 years and 43 days. I still cry every time I think about her or walk past her urn on the mantle of my fireplace.

I found great comfort in two passages of Scripture. Matthew 7 verse 11 says," If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" When I get to heaven, I'm going to ask God to give me back my Lucky Girl, because her spirit returned to him when He recalled her. Psalms 104 v.v. 27-30 specifically mentions squirrels, (gatherers): "These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.When you give it to them, they gather it up;when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.When you hide your face, they are dismayed;when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,and you renew the face of the ground." God puts his Spirit into all living animals, and I think that is why many people feel so close to God when they are out in Nature.

It would be nothing for God to recreate a squirrel and put the spirit of Lucky back into it and give it to me as a gift!

There is a pastor who wrote a book about Heaven and included two chapters about animals in Heaven backing it up with Scripture about the covenant that He made with Noah and he mentioned 7 times that the covenant included all the animals contained within the Ark, which included squirrels. SEE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESqIC3J9dI4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjZ1HYRi4cQ

I have no doubt that I will have Lucky back when I get to Heaven along with the 80 + squirrels I've raised over the years. And, I have no doubt that you too will see your little flyer when you get there!

The most important thing is to know that we are going to get there! I settled that question when I was 13 years old at a Church Camp near Wooster, Ohio. My cabin counselor Jim Custer cared enough about me to tell me that I needed to have Jesus come into my life and forgive me of my sins. I responded to that invitation and asked God to forgive me of my sins and asked Him to come into my life. And He did! It was a very simple prayer that anyone can pray. I just admitted that I was a sinner and asked Him to forgive me. That I believed that Jesus died for my sins so that I could have eternal life and invited Him to come into my life to help me get through this life and to guide me in the ways I should go.

I'm so happy that He has led me into a life of being able to love other people one squirrel at a time. And, I'm very thankful that I have had the privilege of helping you not feel guilt over losing your little one!

God Bless You!

Bill

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    Author

    William Sells is a Registered Nurse turned Squirrel Rehabber and Nutritionist. His passion is raising healthy, disease free squirrels through feeding them the right way and the treatment of common squirrel diseases. He's always open to questions and comments regarding Squirrels and their care and feeding.

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