hapyschizo
07-11-2011, 10:30 PM
All
Background:
I have been raising two young squirrels for the past 6 months. One is a little grey squirrel (little guy); the other is a good sized fox squirrel (big guy). I received them both when they were very young (through different circumstances in different cities) and were already each at least a month old.
Since they they have lived a posh lifestyle inside and in the A/C (here in central Texas, it is necessary) and have never really been outside. I have offered them both ample opportunity to go outside; only Little guy went, but quickly ran back and jumped on me and ran into my shirt (a sign he just wants to hide). So basically they have been controlling their domain of my living room/surrounding rooms, destroying all in their path.
Issues:
Just last night, Little Guy (quite the adventurous little squirrel) tried and missed a sizeable jump onto the window sill, missing and hitting the sill, then dropping to the floor. Based on the THUMP sound and his obvious unhappiness (he made the growling/slight chirping sounds i have come to associate with pain/discomfort/fear). At first i though he was fine only to discover a few minutes later he is favoring his left hind leg completely. I cannot see any sign of injury, but he definitely is not putting any weight on it (though he still tries and somewhat effectively scampers around on 3 legs).
So I immediately confined him (and Big Guy) to the giant cage I occasionally employ. Since then, about 24 hours, he has not left his nest of blankets/t-shirts. He will occasionally cry out in the growling noise, and wants nothing to do with Big Guy (and they usually get along like the best of friends).
I do not know the extent of the injury, but it seems obvious he is in pain and discomfort. I am looking for advice/instructions for how to help him get better.
This also leads into my followup Issue:
Is anyone aware of rehab people in the Austin or Houston area in which i can take him t get the care he needs? I know there are wildlife societies, but id prefer to get him to a place that is more oriented to the specefic care he will require.
Also, both squirrels are getting pretty big and in need of space. I wish i could let them run around outside my house, but my location is a haven for cats, human traffic (Little Guy will run and jump on anyone) and also vehicular traffic (don't want them becoming pancakes). If anyone is aware of a person or society where I could take them to:
A) rehab Little Guy's leg, if indeed it is broken
B) eventually acclimate them to an outside environment that is safe and beneficial to them
Id hate to take them to a place where they live in cages their whole lives...I can do that. but I want them to be squirrels, without them being killed instantly due to their domestication.
I'd love to be able to occasionally come and visit them and such (especially since they react very positively to me but are skiddish of most other people) but is not a requirement as they need to live a nice squirrelesque existence.
Long post i know, but any and all information/help is appreciated.
Need help fixing the Little Guy's leg
and
Seeing if there is a person/group that can help them become more of the outside squirrels they should be and probably long to be.
The two areas I am primarily looking for help is Austin, followed by Houston.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks
Background:
I have been raising two young squirrels for the past 6 months. One is a little grey squirrel (little guy); the other is a good sized fox squirrel (big guy). I received them both when they were very young (through different circumstances in different cities) and were already each at least a month old.
Since they they have lived a posh lifestyle inside and in the A/C (here in central Texas, it is necessary) and have never really been outside. I have offered them both ample opportunity to go outside; only Little guy went, but quickly ran back and jumped on me and ran into my shirt (a sign he just wants to hide). So basically they have been controlling their domain of my living room/surrounding rooms, destroying all in their path.
Issues:
Just last night, Little Guy (quite the adventurous little squirrel) tried and missed a sizeable jump onto the window sill, missing and hitting the sill, then dropping to the floor. Based on the THUMP sound and his obvious unhappiness (he made the growling/slight chirping sounds i have come to associate with pain/discomfort/fear). At first i though he was fine only to discover a few minutes later he is favoring his left hind leg completely. I cannot see any sign of injury, but he definitely is not putting any weight on it (though he still tries and somewhat effectively scampers around on 3 legs).
So I immediately confined him (and Big Guy) to the giant cage I occasionally employ. Since then, about 24 hours, he has not left his nest of blankets/t-shirts. He will occasionally cry out in the growling noise, and wants nothing to do with Big Guy (and they usually get along like the best of friends).
I do not know the extent of the injury, but it seems obvious he is in pain and discomfort. I am looking for advice/instructions for how to help him get better.
This also leads into my followup Issue:
Is anyone aware of rehab people in the Austin or Houston area in which i can take him t get the care he needs? I know there are wildlife societies, but id prefer to get him to a place that is more oriented to the specefic care he will require.
Also, both squirrels are getting pretty big and in need of space. I wish i could let them run around outside my house, but my location is a haven for cats, human traffic (Little Guy will run and jump on anyone) and also vehicular traffic (don't want them becoming pancakes). If anyone is aware of a person or society where I could take them to:
A) rehab Little Guy's leg, if indeed it is broken
B) eventually acclimate them to an outside environment that is safe and beneficial to them
Id hate to take them to a place where they live in cages their whole lives...I can do that. but I want them to be squirrels, without them being killed instantly due to their domestication.
I'd love to be able to occasionally come and visit them and such (especially since they react very positively to me but are skiddish of most other people) but is not a requirement as they need to live a nice squirrelesque existence.
Long post i know, but any and all information/help is appreciated.
Need help fixing the Little Guy's leg
and
Seeing if there is a person/group that can help them become more of the outside squirrels they should be and probably long to be.
The two areas I am primarily looking for help is Austin, followed by Houston.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks