swallowed the nipple

[virgo062]

ok let's all be calm....Here's the scenerio...Moved the G's to the big pre release cage in the Garage Tuesday...Big G has not been happy and refuses to come out of the box...This morning he did stick his head out for formula and little G as always tried to move in on the milk...Big G grabbed the nipple and went into the hole halfway. Rick saw him chewing and tried to pull it from his mouth but he dissappeared into the hole...he was back in a few seconds and continued to drink 6 cc's so not 100% sure if he swallowed it or dropped it in the box....It's the needle nose nipple...OMG! I can't get to him because the box is very deep. Has anyone had this happen before?????

[JLM27]

So you don't actually know that he swallowed it? I would pull everything out, including him, and look for the nipple.

[pappy1264]

It is more likely that he spit it out in the box. You have to get in there and look! (May be time to stop using the nipples and just use the syringe...they get used to it.)

[CritterMom]

If he is big enough to be in a release cage, he wouldn't swallow it whole like a baby might - he would nibble it to death and likely either drop it or chew it into pieces small enough that they will pass through okay...

[virgo062]

It is more likely that he spit it out in the box. You have to get in there and look! (May be time to stop using the nipples and just use the syringe...they get used to it.)

Oh I will stop with the nipple...it was the last one.....Pappy there is no way to get into that box without ripping the box to shreds....It is fastened to the cage...So are the odds good that he just dropped it? The G's are 14-15 weeks old

[Nancy in New York]

Oh I will stop with the nipple...it was the last one.....Pappy there is no way to get into that box without ripping the box to shreds....It is fastened to the cage...So are the odds good that he just dropped it? The G's are 14-15 weeks old

I think the odds are very good that he just dropped it. I have had that happen, and at this age, they drop it.:thumbsup

[virgo062]

Correction they are 19 weeks old...

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Mine always drop it too, even when they are at the frantic sucking age. I bet he dropped it in the box.

You might want to rethink using a box you can't get into. Squirrels can be very messy and I have had several squirrels get mange in the outside cage during the winter because of unsanitary conditions in their boxes :shakehead. They now get fresh bedding (pine needles and pine branches) every 2 weeks. Haven't had an issue in the past couple years since I started doing that. Just something to keep an eye on.

[virgo062]

Mine always drop it too, even when they are at the frantic sucking age. I bet he dropped it in the box.

You might want to rethink using a box you can't get into. Squirrels can be very messy and I have had several squirrels get mange in the outside cage during the winter because of unsanitary conditions in their boxes :shakehead. They now get fresh bedding (pine needles and pine branches) every 2 weeks. Haven't had an issue in the past couple years since I started doing that. Just something to keep an eye on.

Thanks I never considered that. When we brought the cage back in we cleaned it up really good for the new residents. I think once the G's are gone I will replace it with one I can open from the front

[mugzeezma]

Thanks I never considered that. When we brought the cage back in we cleaned it up really good for the new residents. I think once the G's are gone I will replace it with one I can open from the front
:thumbsup
I like the control factor like being able to go in my kids rooms...
You know how how much gunk these guys drag in their boxes. I once emptied a 20pounder!!!
There was a nasty Kiwi and a sweet potato amongst other things.

Ani was a nipple swallower BIG TIME! she never swallowed it though.
I wish the house vacuum had that kinda pull...:shakehead

[crazysquirrels]

Use a mirror and flashlight to look into the box. Or use a video camera to look into it and review on the computer what is inside. If you can get close to the hole.