Introducing me and my squirrel

[cam]

Hi, my names's Camilla and i have a squirrel :D

he is estimated to be around 7 months old now, my dad found him a couple of months ago just sitting in the garden, my mum went out and he moved into the flowerbed, but just hid, made no attempt to run away, i went out to take a look at him and he was just sat there, my first thought was that he was infured, so i kept an eye on him while my dad ran and got a carrier i could put him in to examine him.

It was clear that he was totally blind and it looked like he had major catarax as both eyes were completely white with almost a clear crust over the top, so i took him in, set him up with a spare rat cage, water and a box to hide in while i looked up online what to feed him.

The first couple of days he didn't eat much or move hardly at all except for water and some food and made an awful high pitched squealing noise evertime anyone made any movement

a couple of weeks went past and he eventually stopped squealing and got to know my voice as i talk to him all the time to try and reashore him and this seemed to work and his eyes seemed to improve a little, they were still totally white, but the crusty bits had disapeared and he was looking a much happier squirrel.

i have got 2 more chinchilla cages and addapted them to join together and there are lots of branches in there which he loves to climb, he has learnt to drink from a water bottle, he is eating normally, and is more than happy to be handled by me.

He comes out everyday for at least 6 hours of exercise (even if he does spend most of that time curled up at the end of my bed) and loves cuddles.

It is perfectly clear that he will never be able to be released, so i have decided to keep him and i am in the process of getting a liscence and building him a permenant enclosure for him.

A coupple of weeks ago i was soo pleased as he has now got partial sight in one eye, he can see a little from his right eye, he doesn't bump into many things anymore and i am overjoyed at his progress as i was expecting him to be blind and live in a cage for the rest of his life and i would be trying to decide whether it is right to keep him that way or to put him to sleep, but he has settled in very well and i am very pleased with him

Sorry for the long introduction, but this is me and my squirrel :D

Ow and i named him Squiggle

[mpetys]

Hi Camilla. :Welcome What a wonderful thing you have done! And lucky to have parents that support your efforts!

One thing you will learn is that we love PICTURES and look forward to seeing pictures of Squiggle. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. There's lots of good information to read in the Nutrition section also. What kind of squirrel is he? I think I remember reading that you have both the red squirrel and the gray squirrel in the UK.

[cam]

He is a grey squirrel, i think it illegal to even look at a red over here whereas the greys are largely seen as vermin the poor things.

I do have loads of pictures of him and will get them up asap

I have had a good look around this forum already, i actually found it as i was researching the right nutrition he should have after watching a video of chip the squirrel on youtube and found out he died of a calcium deficiency, i am making sure Squiggle gets the right stuff!

and yes, we have a large number of animals at home, some my mum approves of, some not so much (like my rats :D ) and my mum is deeply in love with him and keeps saying that i am not allowed to move out as long as i have Squiggle :D

[mpetys]

He is a grey squirrel, i think it illegal to even look at a red over here whereas the greys are largely seen as vermin the poor things.

I do have loads of pictures of him and will get them up asap

I have had a good look around this forum already, i actually found it as i was researching the right nutrition he should have after watching a video of chip the squirrel on youtube and found out he died of a calcium deficiency, i am making sure Squiggle gets the right stuff!

and yes, we have a large number of animals at home, some my mum approves of, some not so much (like my rats :D ) and my mum is deeply in love with him and keeps saying that i am not allowed to move out as long as i have Squiggle :D

Yes, I have heard that the greys are not very welcome there. :dono I am glad you found this site. Thank goodness for the internet! We have quite a few members who have rats as well. I look forward to your pictures. Squiggle is a lucky boy to have ended up in your flowerbed!

[astra]

:Welcome Your Squiggle is one lucky squirrel, who has not only a loving and caring Mom, but grandparents, too.

Here are the guidelines for the Good Healthful Diet - it's a result of years of rehab, research and wisdom, as finalized by 4skwerlz whose site www.henryspets.com sells Henry's Healthy Blocks mentioned here - the block specifically formulated for squirrels.
Since you are in UK, I do not know if shipping to UK is available, or if it is affordable for you. But there are some UK members here, who were able to find substitutes. You can check your local pet stores and see what blocks they have available for rats, list them here and our experienced rehabbers will help you choose the best.
There is also a Home Made recipe for HHB (henry's healthy blocks) in the Squirrel Nutrition forum http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31472, even though the ingredients are available on www.henryspets.com, too, I am sure if you contact 4skwerlz she could help you figure out the suitable substitutes.
Anyways, here are the guidelines:
Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels and Flyers

Your pet needs a balanced diet containing the right amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet should include the following:

Henry's Healthy Blocks
A variety of healthy vegetables
Wild foods from outside
Limited nuts and treats



Henry's Healthy Blocks
These provide the essential nutrients: protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

A diet of nuts, seeds, and veggies alone is deficient in calcium, protein, and other nutrients like B vitamins. This can cause dull or patchy fur and lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD). Pets are much less active than wild animals, so they need a concentrated food like Henry's Healthy Blocks. It's the only way for your pet to get the nutrients he needs to stay healthy.

Healthy Vegetables
These add fiber, fresh vitamin C, and micronutrients. Variety is key! Don't let your pet get hooked on just one veggie.

artichokes
arugula
asparagus
avocado*
Belgian endive
bell peppers
bok choy
broccoli
brussels sprouts

cabbage
carrots**
cauliflower
celery
chayote
cherry tomato
chicory
Chinese cabbage
cilantro, fresh

collard greens
cucumber
dandelion greens
escarole
fennel
green beans
kale
lettuce, all kinds
mushrooms

mustard spinach
okra
parsley, fresh
pumpkin**
purslane
radicchio
radishes
romaine
squash, winter**

squash, yellow**
sugar snap peas
sweet potato**
Swiss chard
watercress
zucchini


Wild Foods
These provide extra nutrients, amusement, exercise, and help keep teeth worn down.

acorns
antlers
bottlebrush flowers
branches*
carnations**
chrysanthemums**

dandelion greens
hibiscus, all parts
lambsquarters
magnolia cones
maple seeds
palm nuts & fronds***

pine cones
purslane
plaintain
roses**
rose hips

Other:

Tree branches, clean rocks, sea shells, and a box of clean dirt provide exercise, trace minerals, and help keep teeth worn down.

Before you feed an unfamiliar wild food, always make sure it's not toxic!

Treats
Treats are fun and can help with bonding, but should always be fed in small amounts.

Fruit:
apple
apricot
banana*
blackberries
blueberries
cantaloupe
cherries, sweet*

cherries, sour
crabapples
cranberries
grapefruit
grapes*
honeydew
kiwi
kumquat

lemon
lime
mango*
nectarine
oranges
papaya
peach
pear

pineapple
pomegranate*
raspberries
strawberries
watermelon

Insects:
Mealworms, moths, grubs

Nuts/Seeds:
acorns
almonds
hazelnuts
pecans
pumpkin seeds
sesame seeds


Also Important for Good Health:

Exercise.Make sure your pet has daily out-of-cage time to run and play; a selection of branches and other things to climb and explore; and at least one active play session per day. This will help keep her healthy and happy.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight. Being overweight causes many health problems and can lead to diabetes, especially in older animals. Healthy weights may vary, but in general, your pet should look sleek and well muscled and not have rolls of fat. If your pet is older, overweight, or less active, avoid foods that are high in sugars, starches, or fat.

So, to sum it up, a squirrel needs to eat quality blocks daily (the amount will depend on the kind of block) + good green veggies + wild foods + treates: a piece of fruit and/or a nut or two.

As mpetys said, please ask away.
and PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:crazy tinfoil

[cam]

I may go a little overboard with the pics, just i have quite a few and love showing him off :)

Here he is the first day we found him
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/ferel045.jpg

a couple of days later and he is obviously not happy and you can sorta see how bad his eyes were
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/P300611_19140001.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/P300611_19110002.jpg

His first time 'freeranging' out of his cage
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/cookel024.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/cookel022.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/cookel028.jpg

A couple of random pics of him
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/Gypsy010.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/Gypsy005.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/Gypsy006.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/squiggle008.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/squiggle002.jpg

I love this picture of him, he looks like a cool little thing :)
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/squiggle0032.jpg

now for cages, this was his first
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/pig021.jpg
his second
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/squiggle009.jpg
and his current
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/hole007.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/hole008.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/hole009.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/hole010.jpg

[astra]

Cam, there is no such thing as being "overboard" with pictures! One is too many, a thousand is not enough...
He is so handsome!
Sometimes, with time and good nutrition, such eye-sight problems either moderate or go away... I don't remember much about it, but, sometimes it is a temporary thing...again, our experts will be able to share more about this.

Keep the pics coming!
And you might want to start his own thread in Grey Squirrel forum, with tons of pics! He deserves it!

[cam]

It certainly does seem like his eyesight is getting better which is brilliant, i foregot to mention that he also has a kink in his tail where i am guessing it broke and fixed itself, also he has a bent toe, again, i presume it was broken at one time or another and finaly he has a short toe where i think the tip is missing or at least the claw is, but you wouldn't think it to look at him, he is so healthy

I thought i would also upload these two pics

this one i just love, making himself right at home!
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/P140911_07360001.jpg

and this one was taken by my friend who is a semi-professional photographer
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/ferretfreak4/294552_216039365128521_100001673760152_543366_5431 17170_n.jpg

[astra]

Great pics! so sweet how he is making himself at home in your bed:) :Love_Icon

[lilidukes]

What a wonderful story and great pics. :Welcome :Welcome :Welcome

Hoping good nutrition will keep restoring Squiggles eye sight.:thumbsup :thumbsup

[Fireweed]

Oh, boy...what a beautiful squirrel Squiggle is! :Love_Icon
I'm SO happy you found him. :thankyou Poor thing kept breaking toes and tail trying to make it blind in the world. :(
I'm looking forward to getting to know more about you both. :Welcome
Noozles to Squiggles, por favor. :)

[cam]

Yes, i do feel sorry for the poor boy, he must have had a hard time before he found his way into my garden

and yes, it will be nice getting to know people on here

[patjones]

Nice to meet you both He is a great looking squirrel

[cbell]

I have a 9 year old just like yours or I should say I'm his seeing eye human

:Welcome

[island rehabber]

I have a 9 year old just like yours or I should say I'm his seeing eye human

:Welcome

:rotflcam, I have a little grey cat named Sloopy who has one pale blue eye (corneal damage) just like Squiggle's. She says to tell him that she thinks he is very handsome. :D

[cam]

:rotflcam, I have a little grey cat named Sloopy who has one pale blue eye (corneal damage) just like Squiggle's. She says to tell him that she thinks he is very handsome. :D

I think he is very hansome too :D

[cam]

I have a 9 year old just like yours or I should say I'm his seeing eye human

:Welcome

Yes, to start with i was definately his seeing eye human :D but, he has learnt his way round my room and the living room downstairs as he goes down there in the mornings, but now he can see a little bit, but still bumps into some things lol