i need help with demetri

[rolo02]

Hey guys I really need some answers. Demetri is acting funny. A few days ago he was lathargic and all he did was sleep so I moved him from his cage to his travel crate with a heating pad thinking he was cold because it has gotten really cold here. Well he perked up and was fine the rest of the night and all day tomorrow. I kept him in the travel crate with the heating pad last night but this morning I put him in his cage and now he is really acting weird. he won't let me touch him. i went to check on him and opened his cage and he flipped out. Running everywhere trying to get away from me squeeling and would hide. I finally caught him and have him in his pouch in my shirt I just don't know what to do so please heli\p

[foxsquirrels]

Katie, did you get in touch with Muffinsquirrel?

[rolo02]

i did and she said that she didn't know what was wrong with him

[JLM27]

Well how old is Demetri? Is he still eating, pooping peeing OK? His diet is alright? No weight loss? Fur is OK? The others will ask this, so I thought I would start the questions. Last weird behavior by a flyer turned out to be (everyone thought) maybe due to getting in heat.

[rolo02]

he is about five months old now. But he's a boy they don't go into heat right??? He is still eating and using the bathroom ok. no weight loss that i've noticed and his fur still look great! ??????????

[JLM27]

Well grey squirrel boys sure do! Their fursticles can get three times as big as normal, and they get very feisty with each other and then of course they start chasing the girls around. Then when it is over their furstickles shrink and they go back to being sweet little creatures who only chase for fun or to warn away from food. Poor little Chubbykins furstickles got so big last year that he couldn't even sit unless it was on a branch or a fence where he could let them hang out back. And they sure do act crazy during the season. If you have ever seen one riled up, you wouldn't forget it.

[Ardilla]

No, males don't go into heat. Stupid question, but you're sure he's a male?

I really have no clue. I was hoping muffinsquirrel would have an idea.

I'm also thinking about your toddler. This is too much at once.

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[rolo02]

omg i didn't know that! I've never seen that but it sounds like a sight to see

[Ardilla]

Or maybe they do.

:eek:

I have never heard of that happening.


Well grey squirrel boys sure do! Their fursticles can get three times as big as normal, and they get very feisty with each other and then of course they start chasing the girls around. Then when it is over their furstickles shrink and they go back to being sweet little creatures who only chase for fun or to warn away from food. Poor little Chubbykins furstickles got so big last year that he couldn't even sit unless it was on a branch or a fence where he could let them hang out back. And they sure do act crazy during the season. If you have ever seen one riled up, you wouldn't forget it.

[rolo02]

me either I don't know what's going on with him! He is still in my shirt and will let me rub him as long as I don't try to hold him which is really weird. he usually love to be loved on and kissed and everything:shakehead

[Ardilla]

Could something have scared him?

I wonder also if he could be in pain and that's why he doesn't want to be touched.

[rolo02]

well that's what someone else said that maybe something scared him. I don't know I could have when I went in there if he didn't know I was there. I don't know if he got hurt running from me because he was jumping off things and running in to things so I hope he didn't get hurt

[Jackie in Tampa]

I guess I would try to keep him quiet with dim lights...maybe just observe..like others have said, he may have been frightened. Sounds dangerous letting him loose, pouch sounds better for comfort too!
No new foods???
Nothing from outside???
Keep us posted...:grouphug
Gosh, if Muffins doesn't know:dono

[rolo02]

nothing that i can think of! I just don't know what is going on. I haven't changed anything that I would make him react this way

[rolo02]

he is still in his pouch and will let me pet him and give him kisses he just won't let me take him out. My dog did get in his room yesterday and he is not use to the dog or his smells so I don't know if that spooked him and them I scared him tonight or what but I'm hoping that;s all it is.

[Ardilla]

He may be reacting to the smells of the dog...possible predator, etc., making him scared. Hopefully that is it.

[foxsquirrels]

Good luck Katie, call if you get scared again! I keep my cell phone by the bed!

[rolo02]

I just want to say thank you sooo much for everybody that has helped me! I think I freaked out over something small but I just don't want anything to happen to him!!!! I hope he is just scared and will be back to normal soon. I gotta go put the babies to bed but I will let everyone know of any changes good or bad! Again THANK YOU all for everything it means sooooo much to me!

[island rehabber]

Katie I'll move this thread to Non Life-Threatening so it doesn't trigger emails to rehabbers, ok? We're standing by...keep us posted. :)

[muffinsquirrel]

I'm sorry I wasn't more help tonight. The dog being in there could definately have him spooked! And him (or her) coming into maturity could also be a big part of it - their first time 'in season' is the worst. When males are packing 'luggage', their testicles can be as large, or larger, than pecans! When they go out of season, the testicles become abdominal again, and are difficult, if not impossible, to see. If you have any question about whether your flyer is male or female, it's easy to tell. A male's penis will be in the area where you might expect to see his belly button. A female's part will be right next to the anus, almost like they were connected.

Both males and females can have a dramatic (or, to the owner, traumatic) reaction to coming in season. It can result in a total, but temporary, personality change. Like I said, it is usually worse the first time, but you will notice some personality changes every time. And when a female has pups, it can get almost frightening! With either sex, let them set the pace, and try not to put yourself in a position for bloodshed! Their temper may be rather short, but eventually they will be back to their usual sweet, mischievous selves.

Keep us posted - I hope he gets back to his normal self soon.

muffinsquirrel

[Jackie in Tampa]

Good morning, cking for good news.

[rolo02]

Hey all he is about the same this morning! He did let me hold him for a second and crawled around in my robe for a min then he was done. I don't like him acting like this I feel like he's mad at me or something or I am doing something wrong. I hope he either got scared or in going in to "heat' ( for lack of a better word)! Oh and this is what I woke up to this morning!!!

[Ardilla]

Poor guy. I hope he's back to normal soon.

[rolo02]

i just checked on him a little bit ago and he seems better. he let me hold him and love on him and actually gave he kisses and then ran around in my shirt. So hopefully he will be completly back to normal soon. Maybe he just has PMS or something! lol