Worried for my baby!

[sarahraney]

After Max's tragic death we dicided recently to get 2 more baby flyers. It was a hard choice but we did. We got Persephonie Adamine Giffin and Fawn Giffin

both were purchased from Helen's Little Critters. Within a week Fawn (who was VERY SMALL) died. We couldn't figure out why.

Persephonie seems fine but i notced just 2 days ago a growing bald spot on her stomach. Almost her whole belly is bald now.

Also, when i wake her up at night she spazzes out, like she's possesed. it scares me. She stretched out on her back wildly and trashed voilently or lunges at me if I try to touch her. She seems bewildered and completely wild at those times.

Once I get her to snap out of it she acts normal again but i am VERY WORRIED!

[sarahraney]

We also found fleas on our dog recently. could that have nything to do w/it?

ps. sorry for my typing, i've got a squirrel in one hand

[island rehabber]

sarah, I'm so sorry you lost little Fawn, and I am going to let our flyer experts weigh in on what would cause the bald spots on Persephonie. I would think that fleas could play a part, but you should be able to see them on a flying squirrel. If not, dietary issues often play a part in hair loss too. Is she eating well? What have you been feeding her? Other things to think about are chemicals in her bedding or habitat, which may cause allergy and hair loss. As a rule, I wash everything for my squirrels and myself in "Free & Clear" detergent -- no softeners or fragrances added.
As for her freaking out at night, she seems like she's still trying to get used to her new surroundings, and possibly missing her sister too. Give her time....go slowly and speak softly. As I said, hopefully our flyer folks here will have some more useful information for you.

[philomycus]

What is her diet- that's the first thing a flyer expert is going to ask you, so go ahead and post that if you don't mind. I'm so sorry for you tough time.

[Jackie in Tampa]

What is her diet- that's the first thing a flyer expert is going to ask you, so go ahead and post that if you don't mind. I'm so sorry for you tough time.
:grouphug me too! Sorry for your loss:grouphug

[Ardilla]

I'm so sorry, Sarah. :grouphug

[muffinsquirrel]

Persephonie seems fine but i notced just 2 days ago a growing bald spot on her stomach. Almost her whole belly is bald now.

How old is she? Could be a strange moult, could be fleas or other parasites, could be that she is just rubbing her belly on something and rubbing hair off - maybe the opening of her nest box?



Also, when i wake her up at night she spazzes out, like she's possesed. it scares me. She stretched out on her back wildly and trashed voilently or lunges at me if I try to touch her. She seems bewildered and completely wild at those times.

Once I get her to snap out of it she acts normal again but i am VERY WORRIED!

All young flyers, and most older ones, will do this. It is a hard-wired defense reaction. They flip onto their back and use their feet and teeth to ward off whatever is attacting them. Try talking to her before you reach for her, to wake her up a little first. Also, before you pick her up, pet her real lightly first, still talking to her, so it won't be quite such a surprise to her.

I'm sorry you lost your other flyer - they can slip away so very quickly when they are young.

muffinsquirrel

[sarahraney]

She is only 7 weeks old, we got her at 5 weeks.

I have been feeding her a milk supplement- 1/2 warm water, 1/4 heavy whipping cream, and 1/4 puppy milk replacer powder.

She gets the ocasional apple too, but she isn't to fond of hard food yet.

[muffinsquirrel]

She is only 7 weeks old, we got her at 5 weeks.

I have been feeding her a milk supplement- 1/2 warm water, 1/4 heavy whipping cream, and 1/4 puppy milk replacer powder.

She gets the ocasional apple too, but she isn't to fond of hard food yet.

Are you using Esbilac puppy milk?

muffin

[sarahraney]

Are you using Esbilac puppy milk?

muffin

Yeah