Bloating/Red Belly/Molt

[Tum Tum]

Hello everyone question about bloating and a red belly, not to bad red.

The bloat is not that bad either but just would like some help on what to do, to prevent it from getting worse.

Also this is his first molt, I believe. He eats healthy, eats the rodent block, and a variety of vegtibales everyday. His fur looks thin on the back, but underneath is like fuzzy fur, so is he getting his winter coat in is my question. :D

If anyone needs pictures, let me know!

[Buddy'sMom]

Pictures might be helpful, if you can.

From a quick look at your TumTum's Story thread, I think he is about 3 months old now? Is he still inside or has he been released, or perhaps in a release cage?

It is unusual to see bloat at that age, so I have a few questions to help us figure out what is going on: Is his tummy visibly distended all the time? Do you see evidence of poop and pee? If you aren't sure and he is still inside, put clean newspaper at the bottom of his cage so you can easily see. At that age tho, he should be pooping EVERYwhere! :D

What is he eating? Still taking any formula at all?

He WOULD be getting his winter coat now, but that should be thicker. Thinning fur at this time of the year does not seem right to me (someone with more experience seeing molting squirrels may correct me on that :thinking ). So the question about what he is eating will be important -- thinning fur is often diet related.

Come back and let us know and we can help you.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

Just a in the meantime suggestion if he is bloated, simethicone should be given. You can buy this at any pharmacy or grocery store . Get the gas drops for infants. The ingredients will say Simethicone. Gas X for adults is fine to as long as its simethicone. The problem has to be figured out though, this will just help in the meantime.

I am in NJ and the weather has been changing constantly here. Millie and one other squirrel I have here has had thinning fur on the back only. At first I thought it was stress related mange or mites with Millie but the vet said could be weather or hormones. She is also growing in lighter gray fur so I personally think her winter coat is coming in. JMO

[Tum Tum]

He is pooping in his cage a good bit, but when he is in the bedroom running around on the bed or on his computer chair, nothing, maybe a few here and there.

Sorry for the long wait here is pictures of his back.

His belly is not really bloated, he is just his normal size, he just looked a little fat, maybe he had gas that day.

http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr157/tumtum2408/SDC10440.jpg

His nose is getting fur back on it.
http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr157/tumtum2408/SDC10442.jpg

http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr157/tumtum2408/SDC10443.jpg

http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr157/tumtum2408/SDC10448.jpg

http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr157/tumtum2408/SDC10449.jpg

Hope its nothing serious, I am giving him the veggies he is supposed to have, some acorns here and there, some chesnuts here and there, and mainly his rodent blocks.

He really is a happy fella. Nothing has changed, has a good diet, runs around a lot, gets sun + full spectrum lights that is near him, and also in the lights on the scealing lol

http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr157/tumtum2408/SDC10422.jpg

[foxsquirrels]

It looks like TumTum is molting to me. I deal mostly with fox squirrels so I am not as familiar with grays. I'm sure someone with more experience with grays molting will be on line soon. TumTum is a sweetheart.
p.s. I think their tail only molts once a year.

[Tum Tum]

Thanks hope it is molting.

[Tum Tum]

Update.

There seems to be more fuzzy fur coming in where its thinning, his belly is becoming furrier, and he is normal like always, eating, pooping ect.

He is getting a more grey look and it looks like someone spray painted him, lol

I saw this on a grey squirrel at the park not to long ago.

[island rehabber]

You know it's possible that some hormonal issues might be going on, causing him to lose fur like that. I know one of the permanent residents of Tomo's Tree House Sanctuary had major bald stripes on his body for months....the vet determined it was hormonal. He is fine now, with a beautiful coat, so maybe Tum Tum will also be fine and furry in due time.