stuck with an adult brain-damaged chipmunk

[Misty]

Hi.
About 2 months ago while taking my dogs out on a walk on a particularly cold and wet day, my little papillon stopped and wouldnt come to me anymore. She kept sniffing one spot and I began to walk back to get her when I saw something 'pop.' At first I thougt it was a big frog, but upon closer examination, it was a chipmunk!!
I tied my husky to a nearby door and very easily caught the lil guy and wrapped him in my shirt and held him to me. He was very cold and didn't move at all, I thought he was going to die any second. I took my dogs back to my apt. then took my new friend to a local wildlife vet. They put him in an incubator and gave him fluids and he perked right up, but he had a neurological issue. They said he hit his head somehow and gave him back to me to keep to see if he was going to get better on his own with care.
I've had him since and while his body condition has improved greatly (his fur is very shiney and he's very active) his neurological issue has not improved at all. He constantly twitches to the right and runs in circles when he's on the ground. The vet said he probably isn't going to get any better and I know he'd get eaten in 2 seconds if I let him back outside. So now I guess I have a pet chipmunk.
This is all fine with me, but I was wondering if there is any way I can tame him down a bit? He goes insane when I clean out his cage and I'm afraid he might hurt himself and that the stress is bad for him. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks.

[4skwerlz]

:Welcome to TSB. With patience, I'm sure he will grow more used to you. Still, it is wonderful of you to give this little guy a safe place to be, with food and water. Without you, he'd have no chance at all.

I'm sure some of our experts can come up with some strategies to help ease his stress....

Bless your heart for helping this poor chippie.:bowdown

[PBluejay2]

This is all fine with me, but I was wondering if there is any way I can tame him down a bit? He goes insane when I clean out his cage and I'm afraid he might hurt himself and that the stress is bad for him. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks.

The best way to "tame" (if that can be done, really) is spend lots of time with him. He needs to become habituated--bonding with you, seeing you as no threat to him, even looking forward to your play time together. It may take time.

[JLM27]

Seems like you should be able to get some advice from the folks on here that have neuro squirrels who have many of these same symptoms.

[PBluejay2]

Seems like you should be able to get some advice from the folks on here that have neuro squirrels who have many of these same symptoms.

I have a neuro squirrel ("Bobby") with similar symptoms and three other non-releasables.

[Misty]

Well by 'tame' I mean 'doesn't think I'm going to eat him at any given moment' :P I'd be very glad if I could get him to the point of not hiding everytime I walk into the room and letting me semi-calmly take him out to clean his cage.
Even catching him to take him out is a little crazy, but I've tried taking him out and holding him a few times. He sits still and lets me stroke him, but I think he's just too scared to move.
I don't know how often I should be doing this or for how long, though, and if there are other things I could be doing as well.

[Nancy in New York]

Just wondering if you have anything like a little pouch that he can go into, then perhaps when you want to clean, you can just pick up the pouch and move that...I will get a picture.

Found a picture of what I mean...I have one on my pinkies on the pouch...but all the little fuzzers love these...
97914

[psychotic feather]

Hi there :D

I would love to see a picture of your little fuzzer.

"Taming" takes a lot of time a patience. It took me a couple of years to get Ahrlan to fully trust me.

[Misty]

Hi there :D

I would love to see a picture of your little fuzzer.

"Taming" takes a lot of time a patience. It took me a couple of years to get Ahrlan to fully trust me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/000_0030.jpg

Sorry this took so long

[Pointy Tale]

Misty—Hi! Your chipmunk is so cute. How is your bonding going with him? One of our members psychotic feather has a chipmunk named Ahrlan, and they have a great bond, pretty special actually.

Hoping all is well and I’d love to read all about your little one. What did you say his name was?

[Misty]

Cricket :)

I still wear a glove on one hand when handling him 'cause he tries to bite occasionally.
He's a bit calmer around me though and will tolerate riding around in my pocket :D

[Pointy Tale]

Misty: Cricket is sure a cutie pie. That is so cool that he rides in your pocket. Does he try to jump out, LOL? Sorry that he bites you but it does sound like you've made progress, right? So, what does he eat? I read somewhere they eat like mealworms or something, is that true?

[SquirrelNut]

what an Angel you are for making a "safe" home for this adorable critter!

[Katherine]

Cricket is absolutely adorable.:)

[Misty]

Misty: Cricket is sure a cutie pie. That is so cool that he rides in your pocket. Does he try to jump out, LOL? Sorry that he bites you but it does sound like you've made progress, right? So, what does he eat? I read somewhere they eat like mealworms or something, is that true?

He only comes out of the pocket when he needs to go to the bathroom :x then its a chipmunk juggling game until he's done then back in the pocket lol

He eats various types of organic baby food, actually. He gets a lean meat and vegetable mixture in one dish and then either another vegetable mixture or a fruit mixture in the other dish. Sometimes one of the mixtures may contain something with carbs like a pasta or oatmeal, which I think is okay as long as he isn't getting fat off it. He originally had nuts and rodent blocks too but he never ate them so I stopped putting them in there after the first week or two. It's kinda expensive (about $2 a day) but it seems to work for him, he isn't pudgy and as you can see from the picture his fur is nice and shiny.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Love_Icon Cricket is precious, but one pic is a tease!
I have no clue about chippies, so I can't offer anything in the help department, but he is cute! and if ever given a chance to spend time with a chippie, it would be my pleasure...

Golly that glove is thick! Does he have big chompers?...the kind that make you say ouch?!
What kind of habitat/cage is he kept in? Do they get dirt in their cages?
I give my flyers oatmeal, not sure why, but they love it too!:D and worms!
more pics more pics!:jump


:Welcome :wave123 welcome to TSB...

[Chickenlegs]

Awwwwww! I'd say you were "blessed" with a brain damaged chipmunk. And he/she? is blessed with you. He'll want your company--once he trusts you--and I doubt it'll take long as you're obviously a caring person (small animals KNOW when somebody is worthy)

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

He is a cutie. I don't blame you with the gloves, I got bit by a juvy chipper once! OUCH!

I have a non-releaseable cottontail that I raised from a baby, but he was very skiddish as a baby and would run and hide or run out and try to bite my hand. He is not the friendliest bunny now, but he has come to know me (just me he freaks out when others are around) and will sit and eat while I am in the cage with him (big walk in cage). The best way to get him used to you is not to push it. Only come as far as he is comfortable with. If he doesn't want to be held, holding him will only scare him and won't help the bonding process. I would try just opening the door and saying nice things to him and bring a little treat for him when you go into the room. Eventually he will learn that you are bringing something good and aren't there to mess with him. He should eventually start coming to the edge of the cage to get the treat and eventually should be tolerant of you in the room, even if you don't bring a treat and should allow you to clean his cage without freaking out. I still do not clean Little Spot's (that's my nonreleaseable cottontail's name) cage with him in it. I pick him up and place him outside the cage in a little carrier so the cleaning noises and moving everything around doesn't scare him (he hates the broom).

Good luck with your little guy and thank you so much for helping him. The vet is right, if he hasn't improved by this point, chances are very good he never will. I wonder what happened to the little tyke, if he was born with some issues or what because he should have been hibernating 2 months ago, not out where he could hurt himself.

[Misty]

Well, two months ago from November, which was September. There were still lots of chipmunks running around then :) He was already grown and such so I suspect he wasn't born that way. No idea what happened but the vet said it was due to some sort of physical trauma? He was only about a half a foot from the street so maybe a car?

He is a boy by the way.

Edit:
Oh and he lives in a 50 gallon Rubbermaid container with most of one side and the lid replaced by screen. It's quite tall as well as long so it has branches in it to take advantage of the verticle space. Originally he was only living in a 10-gallon tank set up for a hamster because I was only intending on keeping him until he got better.

[tazzy]

Misty,

I, too had a nuero damaged baby squirrel-Simon. He was allot of work and took allot of time, but let me tell you this; The rewards were ALL MINE. He was so worth all of the work:) He made every single day of two years special to me. I miss him every day since he passed away in August and catch my self shedding a tear quite often over him still. My advice to you is love him and take care of him and use these boards as a resource. They are wonderful on here and so full of information and help.
In the event that it does become too much (because were not all cut out for this sort of thing) please look to these boards for someone to take over and help give him what he needs and deserves. GOd Bless you for caring for him. He is so cute and innocent in this world.
take care and keep us posted.

[Pointy Tale]

Misty—that is hilarious about Cricket staying in your pocket until its bathroom time, LOL!!! I needed a laugh today, thank you so much. How on earth did you potty train a chipmunk? :rotfl

Oh my gosh—his menu sounds sooooo Expensive. Yes, with a menu like that I can see why his coat is so nice and shiny, he’s one lucky little guy your Cricket.

You should check with psychotic feather, who is a member here and has a chipmunk name Ahrlan. Ahrlan is pretty cool! There was a link in one of psychotic feather’s threads recently about diet for chipmunks…I thought I’d pass it on to you, maybe it’ll help your pocketbook, lol.:) The link to the site was: http://www.gotchippies.com/diet.html

There is also another thread about nutrition for the squirrels, but I don't know if it applys to Cricket because he is a chipmunk, maybe one of the many wonderful experts can advise. Anyway here is the thread, maybe some of it could cost less and still provide the nutrition he needs. The Squirrel Board > Help Needed! > Squirrel Nutrition > Food Date Chart Update: Calcium to Phosphorus Ratios (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15397).

I so totally agree with Jackie, one picture is so a tease! :D

Ewww—did you see Jackie said they eat worms, LOL!:rotfl

Oh my goodness his house sounds huge…is he there like right now sleeping?:) Oh please pictures, (can you tell how happy and excited I am, I love chippies).

Yeah know, there is one other thought that passed my mind (as you get to know me, you’ll see I have lots of random thoughts, LOL):) you said he was neurological, has anyone ever told you about Vetri—DMG. I have read on the board that it is used in neurological cases and perhaps this could help Cricket over time. Well, it’s something to think about and if you need more info on it, I’m sure one of the rehabbers can help you.

:wave123 Have a great day.

[Misty]

Hahaha, I really don't mind his expensive diet because its very easy to feed. Just take it out of the fridge and glob it in a dish and you're done. I try to keep what he eats varied to help make sure he gets what he needs. I'm pretty sure he's eaten every baby food sold in the Kroger Marketplace organic food section at least once lol Thats about 100+ different kinds XD I didn't know they liked bugs that much, I'll definately go get some crickets and see if he wants to chase them around.

He goes out of the pocket to use the bathroom as his own decision, I didn't train him to do it. He also always goes in one little corner of his enclosure, too. I guess he's just a very cleanly little fellow.

I have no idea what Vetri—DMG is, can anyone tell me more about it?

Also, I'll work on getting some more pictures of him :)

[Misty]

OK pictures!

Heres some pictures of him in his house (minus sticks)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/007.jpg
This is Toby. Watching Cricket is like kitty-TV to him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/008.jpg
This is Pepper. The one you should thank for finding Cricket. If it weren't for her, I would have walked right past him!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/100_0212.jpg
This is Soren. He's the guy I had to tie to a door :x He not-so-secretly wants to eat Cricket.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Mistimus/001.jpg

Look how dark his stripes are! I'm told Kentucky chipmunks are unusually dark.

[Misty]

Bumped for the sake of finding out about Vetri—DMG :poke

[psychotic feather]

What flavors of baby food does he like? :rotfl

[CritterMom]

Bumped for the sake of finding out about Vetri—DMG :poke


Here you go:

http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/product/1820/vetri-and-dmg-liquid.htm

[virgo062]

Bumped for the sake of finding out about Vetri—DMG :poke

Hi Misty I have a brain damaged grey named Knothead I started him on the Vetri when he was very young and I have recently started him back it seems to calm him down...
Recommended to help support proper immune response, cardiovascular and skin health, glucose metabolism and proper nerve and brain functions. Knothead is a holy terror and we try to bond with him as much as possible but the band aids are getting expensive. I do notice after his Vetri dose he is a little calmer. The other night we were playing with him and for no reason we went souring through the air. He's a good jumper but his landing gear needs some improvement...He hurt his little mouth but I knew he was fine when I saw the blood...on me. You are a angel for keeping cricket and loving him. Just be patient with him this must be pretty scary for the little fellow

[Misty]

What flavors of baby food does he like? :rotfl

lol the ones with meat in them, of course :D

[Pointy Tale]

Misty—you’re so good about all the care that goes into Cricket’s diet, if you ever need help with that, want to change or ask questions 4skwerlz is the squirrel nutrition expert here, and she does a great job too! Also, psychotic feather has Ahrlan and does a great job with him. And you buy the organic baby food too, you’re so good, smiles all the way.

I know isn’t it gross they like buggies, who knew, but true psychotic feather one time posted a video of Ahrlan eating one… to cute.

Pictures—love pictures…oh he’s soo cute and nice coat too on him.

Toby, kitty-TV, too funny.
Pepper—thank you darling!
Soren—you’re a dreamboat! Just look at those scrumptious eyes. No, he doesn’t want to eat him, just check him out.

This is a cool thread and I'm looking forward to learning more about Cricket.

Did virgo062 answer your Vetri-DMG question?

Ps—sorry I was on and off yesterday, family business. :(

[Chipmunk_lover]

What a cute Chippie and lovely Cat and Dogs. I'm glad you rescued him because he wouldn't have survived otherwise. I once had a chippie Creamie who developed Neurological problems after she had a fall. She would put her head to one side and couldn't jump or climb well like the other Chippies. We thought it would be permanant but she eventually recovered and could move completely normal again. Maybe it was just trauma from the fall, abit of concussion maybe, we don't really know why she recovered, it will always be a mystery. Most of my Chipmunks like mealworms. I don't know alot about American Chipmunks but i think he is an Eastern. I have Siberians and they have 9 stripes, he looks like he has the same but the two surrounding the middle are thicker. We don't get many US Chipmunks here. I'm surprised he doesn't like nuts as Chipmunks usually love them, have you tried fruit, mine like to eat fruit? As Pointy Tale said the nutrition section of this board will give you ideas of the best fruits/veg to feed. I've found my Chippies don't like vegetables much they prefer fruit.

I'm sure Cricket will get more friendly, with mine it took about a month to get them tame enough to take treats out of my hand. I have one who is particularly nervous and it took seven months before she would stop hiding and take treats. She will now sometimes climb on me but not as much as the others. Two are particularly tame and jump on me as soon as i enter the aviary. You will have alot of fun with him, Chipmunks make great pets and are always entertaining :D

[Chipmunk_lover]

Oh forgot to say -
It would be best if you can get Cricket to eat nuts and seeds as Chipmunks teeth are designed for hard foods and they need these to wear down their teeth otherwise they will just continually grow. You can give a rodent mix you can get for Hamsters, these contain a mixture of seeds and nuts. I use a Hamster mix with dried fruit and they prefer this to their Chipmunk mix which they also get. Mine get food like this with fruit supplements and a few mealworms and different types of nuts. I also use canary seed. I mix it around abit to give variety. Its best not to feed too many sunflower seeds or peanuts as these will make some Chippies get fat and can cause calcium deficiency as they have a high phosperous ratio. Providing wood chews and branches are also good to keep teeth worn down. Also providing a cuttlefish bone is good too for calcium.

Good luck with him

[Chipmunk_lover]

There is a website www.super-chipmunks.co.uk where you can join a forum which is for chippie owners and has lots of Chipmunk experts. Any questions you have about Chipmunks they will try to answer, they have helped me alot. I hope this helps you.

[psychotic feather]

Hey misty I have to say that I stole your idea for using baby food!
I now mix all of Ahrlan's vitamins and calcium supplements in there.
And he looooves it!
He hasn't got a clue that its got all those not so yummy vitamins mixed in. :rotfl