Odd post-vacation behavior (sorry very long)

[SammysMom]

This may be a silly question, but I am curious about other people's experiences. I am owned by Sammy, the 1 1/2 year old gray squirrel. I went on vacation for a week and Sammy went to spend the week with a wonderful TSB Auntie. He was fine for 6 days. Regular behavior for a squirrel in a new place with new people, but fine otherwise. On the morning of the 6th day he did not get out of bed in the morning. He was very lethargic when he did come out of his box and not interest in eating. He is not a great eater regularly, but even less interested than usual. He seemed to have some discomfort in his back legs. (backing up a year or more, he had MBD and was treated immediately with wonderful results). Auntie immediately began calcium treatment, which seemed to prove that he still had plenty of energy to fight with :jump . After several calcium doses there was no change in symptoms. He was still staying in his cube and not eating. At this point we arrived to pick him up and he was more active than he had been, but seemed to be limping a bit and his fur was sort of "rough". He was drinking water and had it readily available to him throughout his stay, but appeared to be showing signs of dehydration. Has anyone ever had a squirrel who didn't like the taste of different water? He is used to city water and was not in the same area.
Since coming home, he has been drinking voraciously, eating much better including HHBs and his fur has returned to its usual state. He is still limping and definitely seems to have hurt his foot. He is also spending much of his time sleeping in his box or on his blanket.
After that incredibly long and drawn out prelude...the question is...
Has anyone else had a squirrel who hurt him/her self and then spent an inordinate amount of time sleeping? I sort of feel like I shouldn't worry since I too just want to be in bed or on the sofa with my blankie when I am not up to par. Is it just the need for healing sleep or should I be concerned? The other idea that we have tossed around is whether any of you have any experience with a rather babied squirrel being "homesick" when left with someone else. Anyone? :dono
Thank-you for indulging my paranoia!:thankyou

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Glad you made it home!!!
As far as the water goes.. I know when I drink tap water from different areas it can taste different. I have be a slave to filtered water now for several years . My dogs are too and we went with them to Orlando and gave them tap water they both got sick.
So yes water can be a factor as far as I am concerned.
Home sickness wouldn't surprise me.
What I have seen and read over the last several months since becoming owned by a squirrel, I no longer think we over read into things. I think he was depressed because he wasn't with you and didn't like the taste of the water.
So next time you must bring a stow away :D

[SammysMom]

Thank-you for the response SSM! Here are a few pictures from today.

[lilidukes]

Laura's Sam showed a lot of the same signs as your Sammy a short while after her surgery. Post separation stress disorder :dono :thinking :dono

By the way your Sammy is one very handsome squirrel.:grouphug :grouphug

[SammysMom]

Thank-you Lili! Maybe a combo of the foot and the separation? :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead
He is so doted on around here that it's ridiculous! That was why he went to his TSB Auntie though. I knew Auntie was just as crazy as me, but I guess Sammy wasn't ready for the "nut" swap :D

[Nancy in New York]

There's our sweet Sammy. I have to tell you Sammy was really the perfect house guest. He was exactly the way that a squirrel should be in a strange house. He was charging the cage, and not too happy with his Aunt Nancy...but he did play for me, and actually ran up and down me twice.

Sammy came on a Saturday and the following Saturday, he woke late...he looked a little "off" He seemed exceptionally tired and seemed to just want to sleep, it was a yucky day...I thought initially it could be that.
By night time, I started freaking out.
He looked a little gimpy when he got up....and he had hardly eaten anything that day....
Oh please, mommy and daddy are on a SHIP headed home.
I knew from Sammy's history that he had had MBD a year ago,
he was a little bit of a picky eater...but did notice he nibbled most things offered to him.
I started the MBD treatment to be on the safe side.

I slept next to his cage so I could hear him and wanted to administer more calcium through the night....HE WAS NOT HAPPY...
One thing I did notice, after about 3-4 times with the calcium....still NO improvement. He was lethargic.

At 5:00 in the morning, I thought we had lost Sammy. I
saw no breathing and when I went to pick him up....he seemed a little "stiff?". He was warm, because I had a heating pad under his cube.
I screamed for Rich to help me because I didn't want to hurt his body bringing him out and I needed two hands
and well....I thought Sammy had died and I needed support.

I again went to pick him up got him about half way out of the cube, and he grunts....OMG OMG OMG.
I tell Rich to get him out because I think I am losing my mind....
was that a death moan?
Rich goes to get him and Sammy gives a bigger warning....
BUT he did not rise, just did a loud grunt.

I have never seen a squirrel like that in my life.
I know they are sound sleepers, but I had lifted and taken him part way out, and his head didn't even come up....just the sound.

Gayle had told me that he did something similar two weeks prior to him coming....which I remembered after the hysterical crying subsided.

The rest of the day...he did NOT come out of his cube until Gayle came around 2:00...
and as she explained...in the beginning of this thread...Sammy came around some...
crawled up me again, and almost played with his stuffie.
By the time they left, which was only about 30 minutes,
he was crawling around his cage, looking eagar to get out....
he looked wide awake and raring to go.

Gayle experienced some of the same things I did, this morning with Sammy.

Can anyone explain what in the heck MAY have happened? This was one of the absolute worst things that could have happened....and there seems to be no explanation....:dono

Has anyone ever had a squirrel that they actually thought had passed where you could pick him right up with no movement for several seconds?

Oh, and a big shout out to Squirlgirl who patiently listened to me being hysterical....hyper....and a little out of it myself....Thank you so much for calming me down, and actually making me laugh several times....and suggesting switching squirrels if God forbid something happen to our dear Sammy....:tilt :rotfl

[SammysMom]

Oh yeah, Nancy offered to meet us to bring Sammy part way on pick-up day. My husband said "Oh sure, so she can switch that knucklehead Fluffer for our Sammy... We are driving there so we can see both of them and be sure we have the right one in that carrier!". :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl
Thank-you Aunt Nancy! I am so sorry Sammy gave you such a hard time! :shakehead
:grouphug :Love_Icon Nancy & Rich:Love_Icon :grouphug

[jo_schmoe]

hmmm...:thinking
The water is probably the culprit...but normally with diet ( or water) changes...you see signs...( diarrhea, funny color...etc)
Is it possible he could have been bit by something??
The reason I ask is it happened to us just a week ago with Ringo...I thought for sure he was dead...stiff...cold...but nope. I stayed up with him all night and pushed fluids...and by morning he was better and as mean as ever. While he was calm I found a bump...with fang marks. We suspect it was a spider.

[SammysMom]

Oh yikes! Hadn't thought of that! I really don't see anything that seems like a bite, but I suppose it's possible. Did it have any residual effects?

[jo_schmoe]

Oh yikes! Hadn't thought of that! I really don't see anything that seems like a bite, but I suppose it's possible. Did it have any residual effects?
None...he was down for a day...and within 24 hrs....he tried to eat my face off again....:D
I honestly was never so happy!!

[SammysMom]

I understand! I was happy when he snapped at hubby this morning...lol

[Anne]

Note to all squirrel sitters: Have Mom bring a gallon or so of water from home! Yes, changes in water taste and additives can cause all types of different behavior in our babies. Sammy's toe (foot?) may have been snagged somehow, I have even had a squirrel nibble a toe nail to closely.
Lady Squirrely almost lost her babies a few years ago from tap water changes. She has to use bottled water from now on.
:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :grouphug To Auntie Nancy for all the panic.
:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :grouphug To Sammy's mom for all the worry. Get better soon Sammy, we are all rootin' for ya!

[SammysMom]

Oh Anne, we thank-you! I want everyone to know that Sammy is almost back to his usual demonic self this morning. He was still in bed and not showing signs of getting up when I came downstairs, but my have things changed now! When he finally saw fit to get up, he was rarin' to go. Climbed down the back of his Critter Nation and has been exploring the house like he's a detective. :jump
He is right now sitting atop the coat tree in the foyer surveying his "kingdom". Thank-you for all of the well-wishes and TSB prayers! They have, once again, been answered. I love each and every one of you and hold a very special place in my heart for Aunt Nancy for her loving care, and Aunt Kim for her "squirrel hotline" work! :wahoo

[Nancy in New York]

Oh Anne, we thank-you! I want everyone to know that Sammy is almost back to his usual demonic self this morning. He was still in bed and not showing signs of getting up when I came downstairs, but my have things changed now! When he finally saw fit to get up, he was rarin' to go. Climbed down the back of his Critter Nation and has been exploring the house like he's a detective. :jump
He is right now sitting atop the coat tree in the foyer surveying his "kingdom". Thank-you for all of the well-wishes and TSB prayers! They have, once again, been answered. I love each and every one of you and hold a very special place in my heart for Aunt Nancy for her loving care, and Aunt Kim for her "squirrel hotline" work! :wahoo

I was just coming back on to see how the little patient is this morning.....:D
Do you think this was his way of telling you that there is a 6 day limit to YOUR vacations...167685
And then I think back to what Auntie Kim told me about his "coming around"..."I bet when he gets home, he will really come around in a couple of days....."
When I was pulling him out the following morning, thinking that he passed....I also thought, I don't think this time Kim is right.....:shakehead
BUT SHE NAILED IT AGAIN, RIGHT TO THE DAY!!!!!!!
And even after I knew he was still with us....there was NO WAY that he would remotely be himself in a couple of days....:shakehead

How did this happen? Seriously, does everyone believe that this was dehydration from not drinking enough water, and he missed his mama and papa....and that was it? I honestly believe that if anyone was with me that morning....you would be asking the same exact question.
And you put that on top of the fact that squirrels can mask pain.....To me this boy crashed....and now he's fine....:dono

THANK YOU AUNTIE KIM
WITHOUT YOU CALMING ME DOWN,
MAKING ME EVEN LAUGH SATURDAY NIGHT,
AND JUST BEING THERE....I WOULD HAVE STILL BE THE
BASKET CASE YOU HEARD ON THE PHONE.
Let's also put it this way....I am NOT a phone talker, so everyone
knows, it was SERIOUS for me to call Kim.
:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

Also Anne, thank you so much for your input.
If nothing else comes out from this thread....we've certainly learned to
bring our own water to a squirrel sitters....and perhaps
we can save one little squirrel....thank you for sharing your
story!

[SammysMom]

Well, whatever it is, it is passing! :crazy He is outdoors in his "release" (hahaha) cage this morning. He was at the door and doing his usual "I'm ready" routine so I brought him out. He is VERY happy and going over every inch of his cage checking for interlopers.:jump :jump
Quite the performance, eh Nancy? Maybe we should see if there's a place for him on Broadway...:jump

[Nancy in New York]

Well, whatever it is, it is passing! :crazy He is outdoors in his "release" (hahaha) cage this morning. He was at the door and doing his usual "I'm ready" routine so I brought him out. He is VERY happy and going over every inch of his cage checking for interlopers.:jump :jump
Quite the performance, eh Nancy? Maybe we should see if there's a place for him on Broadway...:jump
:D

How's his back foot?

[island rehabber]

OMG, poor poor Nancy!! (And poor Rich, who had to hear her screaming when she thought Sammy was..um....Over the Bridge......:shakehead) Nancy I had no idea....you poor kid!! :grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

:thankyouAuntie Kim Squirlgirl. Well....all I can say is, squirrel finders and TSB members in need go to smart rehabbers. Smart rehabbers....go to Kim. :bowdown :Love_Icon

[astra]

Oh yeah, Nancy offered to meet us to bring Sammy part way on pick-up day. My husband said "Oh sure, so she can switch that knucklehead Fluffer for our Sammy...
:grouphug :Love_Icon Nancy & Rich:Love_Icon :grouphug
:rotfl :rotfl

[SammysMom]

He is still favoring it, but it is improving. He is doing a lot of climbing rather than jumping but is using it and putting more weight on it. I will definitely keep a eye on it, but I think he likely twisted or sprained it. There doesn't seem to be any specific part of the foot that isn't working properly or looks out of whack.
We will save his "OMG I need a vet!" card for another time. :thumbsup
I want everyone here to know what an awesome friend and human being Nancy in NY is. She is the perfect example of a TSB hero!:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
I am a pet sitter by trade and I pride myself in treating other people's pets as if they were my own. Nancy takes that up several notches. Due to horror stories from my clients about former pet sitters, I am VERY hesitant to entrust the care of my most precious babies to anyone else. However, in this case, I was able to leave Sammy knowing that he was with someone who loved him the same way I do. For that peace of mind I am eternally grateful! :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown Nancy in NY:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

[Kristal]

Sammy is a handsome guy ;)

[SammysMom]

Thank-you Krystal! He is a very well-loved, spoiled little boy :D
I think we have figured out that there is something on his rear foot that is getting caught on stuff. That seems to be what is causing the limping. He must have caught it on something and twisted it. I have looked it over and felt it all over, but can't see anything that is catching. I guess I will have to break out the Rescue Remedy for both of us later and try to clip his nails. He may be cute, but he knows what he likes and what he doesn't like. I suspect this is going to top the second of those two things...:sanp3
Wish me luck!
P.S. For crying out loud Auntie Nancy...wasn't a manicure included in his vacation package?

[Nancy in New York]

Thank-you Krystal! He is a very well-loved, spoiled little boy :D
I think we have figured out that there is something on his rear foot that is getting caught on stuff. That seems to be what is causing the limping. He must have caught it on something and twisted it. I have looked it over and felt it all over, but can't see anything that is catching. I guess I will have to break out the Rescue Remedy for both of us later and try to clip his nails. He may be cute, but he knows what he likes and what he doesn't like. I suspect this is going to top the second of those two things...:sanp3
Wish me luck!
P.S. For crying out loud Auntie Nancy...wasn't a manicure included in his vacation package?

Has he gotten it caught again? When you saw him yesterday and he struggled to get it free, was he crying or he just quickly got it unhooked.
He DID have the manicure here.....but he wouldn't allow the emery board to finish off the rough edges....:shakehead :D

[SammysMom]

He gets it sort of caught, but frees it immediately. It seems to be the outside toe on his "driver's side rear". I have gone over it quite carefully (through a whole lot of fussing and baby crying :shakehead ) He has no qualms about being a baby :jump No false bravado here!
He has NOT cried or made any noise of discomfort when catching it. Just when I look at it...:shakehead
I have to go to work soon, but we will be having a manicure session this afternoon. Interestingly enough, he loves to steal emery boards. I switched to a metal file to try to discourage him from folding them in half and carting them to his box :jump

[Nancy in New York]

He gets it sort of caught, but frees it immediately. It seems to be the outside toe on his "driver's side rear". I have gone over it quite carefully (through a whole lot of fussing and baby crying :shakehead ) He has no qualms about being a baby :jump No false bravado here!
He has NOT cried or made any noise of discomfort when catching it. Just when I look at it...:shakehead
I have to go to work soon, but we will be having a manicure session this afternoon. Interestingly enough, he loves to steal emery boards. I switched to a metal file to try to discourage him from folding them in half and carting them to his box :jump

Stealing emery boards......:jump :jump :jump
Glad that there is no noise, I would have felt terrible, if he were crying out....and nobody (me) was there to hear him...:shakehead

[SammysMom]

I wanted everyone to see that Sammy seems to be dig much better. Here he is resting quite comfortably after spending the afternoon playing with my Mama and eating my yummy veggies.

[jo_schmoe]

oh sweet Sammy!!
Lookin good kid!!

[SammysMom]

Thanks Jo! He gave me and his Aunt Nancy quite the scare! He is still not quite himself all the time, but getting there. It is so sporadic, that it almost seems like he is "putting it on" a bit for the sympathy...:sanp3
Boy, anyone who doesn't think they have the attachments of other animals, or children for that matter, is WRONG. This whole thing seems to have happened for 2 reasons.
1) He didn't like the water that didn't come from his house :shakehead
2) He was homesick :Love_Icon

I hope that this thread helps someone else to avoid this sort of issue. Remember to bring along a bottle of whatever water your baby is used to and some clothing that you have worn, for them to sleep in/on. And keep the vacation as short as possible (this one is Sammy's suggestion :D )

Thank-you to everyone who read and commented here. TSB has helped me to help Sammy in so many ways that I can't count them. A special thank-you to Aunt Nancy, who suffered at least as much if not more than I did during this saga. Who also said the words "next time" during the saga! Can you believe after all that she would put herself in front of that train again? :bowdown :Love_Icon :shakehead :Love_Icon :bowdown

[SammysMom]

So Sammy has truly been himself for days now and yet this morning he gave me another scare! I came downstairs a bit later than usual so I expected him to e bouncing off the walls. NOPE! Not in sight...so I reached into the door of his box. What did I get? Crying, fussing and swiping at me!:sanp3
I was freaking out since this is what he did to his Aunt Nancy when he was really sick.:shakehead :shakehead :shakehead
I offered hi his water bottle and he chugged down a ton of water then went back in and fussed at me some more.:shakehead
Half an hour later, there he is rarin' to go..
What the heck is going on with this little knucklehead? I swear he is just punishing me for going away for a week!:sanp3
Whatever it is, it's fine again...here are some pictures to prove it. Notice the hedgie you gave him Aunt Nancy! He loves to wash hedgie's feet!

[Nancy in New York]

I'm so happy that he loves Hedgie's feet.....:D It was really cute the first day, he was rolling around on top of him, and sometimes Hedgie would wind up on top of Sammy....:rotfl

Do you think that he is doing this behavior because now he missed ME....:dono :thinking :dono :rofl4

[SammysMom]

I would have happily put the little weasel on a bus this morning! :soapbox
He is driving me crazy with this on again off again nonsense..:shakehead He and Hedgie were doing the roll around play this afternoon. I just couldn't get a picture of them :sanp3

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Poor Nancy, Poor Gayle and Poor Sammy..bad enough when its your baby but someone else's, how terrifying.
Gayle That will teach you to go on vacation and enjoy yourself, what were you thinking???
Glad we have a happy ending.:thumbsup
They do keep us on our toes dont they?

[SammysMom]

This has nothing to do with the post-vacation behavior but it's funny. I cleaned out Sammy's box after his last faking being sick stunt. I had to remove a whole box of shredded tissues to be sure there was nothing in the box making him ill. (i.e. rotten or moldy food) The first pic here is him looking out after finding out his tissues were gone. Then the rest is him redoing his decorating, ending with him putting up the "curtains" so he didn't have to be bothered by the light.

[Nancy in New York]

OMG Sammy you are a hoot! He's looking wonderful there mama, glad that he is feeling himself again.....PHEW!
:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
Tell your mama to make a thread about you Sammy....and we need more pictures!