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View Full Version : Brain damage and suirrel play??



TacoSalad
04-11-2012, 02:52 PM
~Sorry for the misspelling of squirrel... posting right before bed~

4 months ago my dog led me to where a full grown squirrel fell out of a tree at least 50ft high. Poor thing barely conscious bleeding out of it's nose and mouth, couldn't move and such. I took her in for the night because I wanted to give her a warm dark place to die. But surprise, surprise.... in the morning she was alive... so I took it one day at a time. And she quickly healed.... almost. I suspect brain damage with this one.

First off because SHE IS SO DAMN FRIENDLY. A full grown wild squirrel shouldn't be this trusting of people... She loves to be petted, climb on, and chill (and sleep) on people. She has full access to my room but she always sticks close to or on me. I think she views me as her jungle gym haha.

She also refused to eat anything solid. For 3 months I had to feed her baby food till she finally started accepting real food (before she would just chew it and let it all fall out of her mouth)... Even now all she eats is tomatoes and peas (she always deshells them)... she hates EVERYTHING else.

She hates her sunbaths. She will do ANYTHING to hide from the sun.

She can't drink water without getting it all up her nose. Which leads me to holding her upside down and patting her back after each drink.

She shows lack of fear with my dog and cat (who really do want to just eat her lol)

She likes to play with me and groom me. The way she plays is run around crazy, jump and tackle my hand, and wrestle it upside down (much like a cat would do with a mouse.) She loves exposing her tummy and play on her back... I try to make her do this to stuffed animals instead of my hands because she gets really nippy when she is this hyper.

So my question... is this play/behavior normal? If she is brain damaged would it ever be safe to release her?

rygel1hardt
04-11-2012, 03:33 PM
First welcome to the squirrel board. You mentioned that she chokes when she drinks, have you checked the roof of her mouth? She may have a cleft palate. That could also account for her not wanting to eat solid food. If she still likes formula I would get her fox valley formula and give it to her as long as she is willing to take it, even if that is for the rest of her life. If you could send a picture that might be helpful as well as her weight and anything else you can think of information wise. Is she a Grey, Fox, or Flying squirrel? Good luck with her and you have come to the right place for your questions. Stacey