NR - Question

[Rhapsody]

I have a question that has been going through my mind and I would like some advice from others that have there before me......

I have three baby squirrels that I've had since they were 2 weeks old (they are 2 months old now) and just last weekend I made a trip to Jackie's house so she could trims Marven teeth for me and she confirmed that he has Malocclusion, a Hairlip and is a little on the slow side..... so with all that he has been deemed NR.

I love this little guy, as I do with all my squirrels, so we are making arrangements for Marven to spend the rest of his Precious Squirrel Life with US - and now that brings Me to my question.

Do you think I should leave Marven in the cage with his two brothers until they are ready to go outside to the release cage in two more months (or) Do you think I should go a ahead and place him in a cage of his on so we can prepare him for his future life....... a life as a single squirrel / a life with humans where he needs to learn NOT to bite. :nono :poke :rotfl :rotfl

I look forward to all shared suggestions and help..... Thanks. :)

[Lulu2010]

He has to go through the adjustment sooner or later and in my opinion it would be easier on both of you to do it while he's younger. I would think if not, he's gonna wild up with his siblings and that adjustment could be harder on him and possibly take longer. I had to separate Lulu when I realized she wasn't developing. I'm glad I did it when she was younger because she adapted quickly to her single life. She's not exactly a NR, but she seems to want to stay where she is. Good luck with the little one.

[CritterMom]

I would absolutely separate him and start handling him a lot and getting him used to all kinds of things like nail trims and lovins before the contact with his sibs wilds him up.

[mpetys]

I have the same situation. Tina is approximately 15 weeks old. She fell from a tree and broke her bottom teeth. They have been trimmed and are growing but the top teeth are shifted to the left and grow behind the bottom teeth. The top right tooth is growing at a sideways angle, about 60 degrees, behind the top left tooth. She saw a dental vet and he is recommending removal of the four front teeth. I have left her in with her sibling group. I thought about removing her and getting her ready for life as a non releasable but I just couldn't bear to separate her. However, she is handled a lot and is a very sweet girl. When she goes to the vet, I used to cover her cage with fleece so she is not stressed but when the fleece slid off, she stood up and just enjoyed the ride. I have separated her and brought her into my living room with the other NR's and when I return her to her sibling group, they love on her and groom her just like when she comes back from the vet when she gets her teeth trimmed every two weeks.

Her sibling group is getting ready to be released and before they do, I will start keeping her away for longer periods. I also have another NR, a male, who is extremely friendly with other squirrels and I am going to try to introduce them and see if they can be cage mates. If not, then Tina will be getting her own big cage made for her.

We need to find another 8 week old for you to put with Marvens brother so he can be released with another!

Good Luck!

Michele

[Rhapsody]

We need to find another 8 week old for you to put with Marvens brother so he can be released with another!Oh dont worry - he has brother(S) - there being 2 brothers....... no one released here will be alone. :thumbsup :thumbsup
I am more concerned about Marven wilding up to much being that he is a NR than I am about the two brothers(S). :rotfl :poke :rotfl :rotfl

[Rhapsody]

I would absolutely separate him and start handling him a lot and getting him used to all kinds of things like nail trims and lovins before the contact with his sibs wilds him up.This has been been my thoughts as well... :thankyou

Any one else have an experience they wish to share?

[momma2boo]

I too would separate early. Better early than late, IMO.

Good luck with Marvin. I love my NRs. They are so very special.

[Rhapsody]

She saw a dental vet and he is recommending removal of the four front teeth. Jackie has talked to her vet about Marven and he thinks this is the right route to go him as well...... but we will need to wait until Marven is at least 4 months old and has some substantial body mass on him so he can with stand the amount of time he will need to be out for surgery.... at least 10 minutes per teeth, x4.

I will have an appointment with the vet before the actual surgery date so he can have a hands on hands meeting with Marven and consult with Me. Money will definitely be an issue with dental surgery (even with the discount) roughly being around $1,000 (give or take a hundred) - but its the best thing to do as we are taking a risk every time we have to clip Marven's teeth.

Maybe we can set up a fund raiser for his surgery - You interested in being in charge of that? - I would greatly appreciate it. :thumbsup :thumbsup

[mpetys]

Jackie has talked to her vet about Marven and he thinks this is the right route to go him as well...... but we will need to wait until Marven is at least 4 months old and has some substantial body mass on him so he can with stand the amount of time he will need to be out for surgery.... at least 10 minutes per teeth, x4.

I will have an appointment with the vet before the actual surgery date so he can have a hands on hands meeting with Marven and consult with Me. Money will definitely be an issue with dental surgery (even with the discount) roughly being around $1,000 (give or take a hundred) - but its the best thing to do as we are taking a risk every time we have to clip Marven's teeth.

Maybe we can set up a fund raiser for his surgery - You interested in being in charge of that? - I would greatly appreciate it. :thumbsup :thumbsup

Is the vet one near you? Tina is seeing Dr. Peter Helmer here in Tampa. He quoted $1200 for Tina's surgery! He has been trimming Tina's teeth for the past two months. We need to brainstorm on how we can raise funds for both Tina and Marven! Dr. Helmer did not put a specific age to do the surgery, just that he wanted to wait until she was a bit more mature. She has been so good about having her teeth trimmed. I take her and while we wait in the exam room, I take her out and we play. When Dr. Helmer comes in, I can hand her to him and she is okay with him and tech handling her. Of course, I dose her up with Rescue Remedy.

Well, good luck to both of us and Marven and Tina!

[Rhapsody]

Is the vet one near you? Tina is seeing Dr. Peter Helmer here in Tampa. He quoted $1200 for Tina's surgery!He is in New Port Richy, not much further than Tampa is from Lakeland..... the prices seem to be about the same for Tina & Marven and waiting until they are mature so they have more body mass on them was good advice given by each vet..... so I think both vets are on the same awesome path here. :thumbsup :thumbsup - - - - - - > NOW!! to Raise the $$$$ :dono

[Jackie in Tampa]

I am thinking I might can work on price better with port richey vet as he and I are old buds...he was sarahs surgeon and also my turtles surgeon..I trust him with my sqs 100% ...he also waited forr lookmomchickens after hours when he knew she was driving from Texas...I love DR.M!:Love_Icon
Michele..I know we got tina hooked up with dental vet, but if you want DrM info...you will love him..I may be able to get price down on both sqs ...let me know..I spoke with him extensively three days ago!
He is adorable man:Love_Icon

[Rhapsody]

Hey there Jackie....... :wave123

I tried sending you an EMAIL to get your input on separating Marven from his brother(S), but
it said you were NOT accepting any more emails atm.... since you are here
would mind telling Me what YOU THINK.

:thankyou

[Rhapsody]

BTW
I separated them this morning when I cleaned the cages.... :tilt

[BeeFernandez22]

Do I hear another raffle coming JIT? :D