Hello. I am new to this squirrel business. But, I Love him.

[Ggipson]

Hi. We acquired RJ 2 1/2 weeks ago. I think he is 6 weeks old. His eyes opened last Tuesday. He has been doing very well, but has developed a skin condition. I got the revolution and administered a drop yesterday. But, he is still chewing his tail. I can't stop him. He takes his formula and I have introduced cheerios, spinach, yogurt drops, grapes, walnut, pine nut. He has mineral rock and salt rock, pecan stick and rawhide. He likes the pecan stick to chew if I hold it. He is not scratching as much but still some and chewing tail constantly.

[daniellenc]

I think rawhide is a no no- causes impaction even in dogs:( I would stick with formula mostly. I bet they don't have e-collars for squirrels:rotfl so not sure how to get him to stop chewing is it raw or bloody, or just hairless?? Does he have mange? Maybe a dab of neosporin non medicated?

[Ggipson]

Thanks. It is not bloody, but red and irritated . I don't think I have permission to post pictures yet. I will take the rawhide out of the cage. So, neo won't hurt him?

[island rehabber]

Hi. We acquired RJ 2 1/2 weeks ago. I think he is 6 weeks old. His eyes opened last Tuesday. He has been doing very well, but has developed a skin condition. I got the revolution and administered a drop yesterday. But, he is still chewing his tail. I can't stop him. He takes his formula and I have introduced cheerios, spinach, yogurt drops, grapes, walnut, pine nut. He has mineral rock and salt rock, pecan stick and rawhide. He likes the pecan stick to chew if I hold it. He is not scratching as much but still some and chewing tail constantly.

:Welcome Yeah we sure know about falling in love with squirrels around here.....:D

First, is RJ a grey squirrel? Has he seen a vet to diagnose the skin condition as mange -- since Revolution is the treatment for mange? If it's not mange, he may need other treatments instead....
His diet needs some tweaking, I'm afraid. So long as he is mainly on formula it's not super-critical, but once he's weaned you will need to get him off the cheerios, walnuts and pine nuts for sure. Cheerios are empty calories -- junk food basically. Nuts should be given only as a treat, one or two per day, no more. Take a look at our "Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels" in the Nutrition forum: it will give you a list of good foods and not-so good foods. Pine nuts are bad for all but RED squirrels (tamiasciurus hudsonicus).....too much phosphorous.

Raising an adorable fuzzy one is more complicated than people usually think, but there is tons of information here to help you! :thumbsup

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123
can't wait to see little rj..

just want to give you a few sq pointers and stop any future problems,
sqs do not need a mineral block or salt lick..
no rawhide please..
keep spinach to a minimal, once every two weeks one leaf or so, it can form crystals in their kidneys and bladder, we don't want that..
cheerios are high in sugar and not ideally good for them, filling his belly, which is tiny, will take away from feeding good stuff that promotes his future..
pine nuts are soooo high in phosphorus..they deplete the ever needed calcium..sqs need strong bones..
and one more...
I know you want to knock me unconsciuos by now...but please peel the grapes..we have seen too many babies choke TO DEATH on grape skin..
i know..:shakehead :peace
hey, the walnuts are so so..but first food should be rat blocks..
FORMULA FORMULA FORMULA!!!
I am too afraid to ask what you use...you may drive to tampa and kick my squirrel loving butt!:D
will let someone else ask:rotfl :sanp3

here is a link to our nutrition forum.. there are lists of what are the good and bad veggies.. and how to get you kiddo to the tree tops in tip top shape..
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191

I really am that crazy for sqs..:crazy
they rock my world!
Welcome to TSB...the best place for sq camaraderie on earth:)
and again..can't wait to see RJ:Love_Icon

[Ggipson]

Thanks all . He is a fox squirrel. He takes mostly formula. I will take the bad away. I have read so many articles it's hard to decipher which is best and which is not. Everyone is different. I am pretty sure that he has mange. I will post a picture as soon as I can. His tail is very scaly and bumpy losing hair on underside. He has lost hair on legs feet and face. I have order him some monkey biscuits and bought him rat block today. Should I just keep the rat block in his cage with nothing else? I also bought avacado and mushrooms today. Are peeled grapes ok? He likes those. He really doesn't eat them, just licks them. He really doesn't EAT anything just nibbles at it. I am taking him to the vet next week. Got an appointment for him.

[Jackie in Tampa]

oh I love a foxer.. we do not have those gorgeous orange bellied sqs here...
we do realize all the info out on the web can be conflicting...
we hear it all the time..usually when someone has followed the BAD info and the sq is failing..
glad you found the real sq lovers forum..
:thumbsup


Going to give you a link to the ONLY TRULY MADE SQ blocks/food on the market..no preservatives, made for order..syringes nipples etc..Henry's needs to be in your favorites...:)


http://henryspets.com/

stroll around...my place is Sq Central in Tampa..
and today, I want to run away...
the squork has delivered me tooooo many babies and won't come back and get them...
I only wanted three and have , well, I am not counting... :crazy but alot!

my lunch break is over...going back to my squ-osh pit:wave123

[Ggipson]

This is his condition. The vet called yesterday and will see him today. Thank God. I am worried about him, but his appetite is good.

[Anne]

Bless his adorable little squirrelly being, he is a handsome guy! He does really need a vet trip for relief.
:Welcome All squirrel lovers here :D .

[Ggipson]

Ok. Got RJ to the vet and it's a bacterial infection. Don't know why, but got him his meds and he's resting well ... Here's a pic of him before he got sick..:jump

[Garden71]

What a cutie.:thumbsup

[jakid709]

My new squirrel is named RJ (Rocky Junior) , my last release was a Rocky. Hope everything turns out weel:peace

[sassysquirrel]

Did anyone else catch this - I don't think this is a fox squirrel - he is a grey squirrel

[stosh2010]

Thanks all . I also bought avacado and mushrooms today. Are peeled grapes ok? He likes those. He really doesn't eat them, just licks them. He really doesn't EAT anything just nibbles at it. I am taking him to the vet next week. Got an appointment for him.
If you check the Healthy Food Chart---( our FOOD BIBLE) you will see that Mushrooms need to be an occasional treat...not a daily food source. Phosporous is SUPER HIGH
and that works AGAINST the Calcium they so desperately need.
I made the same error...( my three fuzz-heads LOVE them shrooms) and a TSB member reminded me...So I greatly reduced the amount they could have, We all look out for each other. here on TSB....