Drooling?

[deanna]

I forgot my squirrels cage was on the ground and had the door open to my room. I heard her angry noises she makes (its odd and hard to explain but I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about) but after I heard it I realized my dogs were in there. They werent harrassing her, they were just laying by her cage. But she was mad about it. Couldnt have been more than 3 minutes or so. I took them out and picked her up and she had drooled (or foamed) all over herself or something? She had spit all over her chin & neck as well as the blanket she was on. Is this normal? To the foam at the mouth when trying to scare off other animals? She was layed flat on all fours as well. Just want to make sure shes alright and not throwing up or something!

[Jackie in Tampa]

please do not allow the dogs around your sqs EVER.
Someday they will be relased..if they do not fear dogs..DOGS will kill them in the end.
Please think about this thoroughly.
Their future is in your hands..
if it is impossible to keep the dogs and sqs seperated for the entire winter..thinking they may need to be with a rehabber.


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28769


The dogs are terrorizing her:sanp3

[deanna]

please do not allow the dogs around your sqs EVER.
Someday they will be relased..if they do not fear dogs..DOGS will kill them in the end.
Please think about this thoroughly.
Their future is in your hands..
if it is impossible to keep the dogs and sqs seperated for the entire winter..thinking they may need to be with a rehabber.


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28769


The dogs are terrorizing her:sanp3

Yeah I know that. I have kept them apart the whole time I've had her, the door must have been left open. I can tell you right now she doesn't like dogs.

BUT, is it normal to drool?

Edit: the dogs payed no attention to her. they werent terrorizing her at all.

[Jackie in Tampa]

could she have had a seizure?
please read the link..this happened..I was the person that lilidukes called..when she found BODY PARTS..
do not for one second let your guard down..
this was one of the worst things that I have ever heard,...
the human screams will echo in my heart forever..a vision that will never go away.
never think that your sweet and loyal pets are safe with wildlife..it is hard wired into domestics..it will never go away...
please be careful and heed this warning..please..

[deanna]

could she have had a seizure?

oh my, I don't know. I don't think so. How would I be able to tell? Ill go check on her!

edit: shes perfectly normal right now.. so i doubt it.

[Jackie in Tampa]

oh my, I don't know. I don't think so. How would I be able to tell? Ill go check on her!

edit: shes perfectly normal right now.. so i doubt it. maybe give her a little sip of sugar water..and a kiss:):Love_Icon

[CritterMom]

This may have been sheer terror. Sort of like you habving to lay in a flimsy cage with a tiger laying there looking at you and licking it's lips.

Put a latch on the door. A simple hook and eye latch can be screwed in in about 30 seconds. They make them that lock afterward and even a nudging dog nose won't dislodge it.

[deanna]

could she have had a seizure?
please read the link..this happened..I was the person that lilidukes called..when she found BODY PARTS..
do not for one second let your guard down..
this was one of the worst things that I have ever heard,...
the human screams will echo in my heart forever..a vision that will never go away.
never think that your sweet and loyal pets are safe with wildlife..it is hard wired into domestics..it will never go away...
please be careful and heed this warning..please..

I did read the link you sent.

TRUST ME, I have many other small animals and know all about it. Two of my dogs really could not careless about my small pets, but my one doggy is a terrier and is too curious. Never has he ever gotten close to any of my pets though! Just sniffs the guineas cage. My squirrels cage is actually going to be up higher where they can't even see her, or vise versa, and she will be safe.

This also isnt my first squirrel. I had a flying squirrel. She was bought and intended to be a pet so we introduced her to my dogs (safelty!) and he was not a fan of them!

[deanna]

This may have been sheer terror. Sort of like you habving to lay in a flimsy cage with a tiger laying there looking at you and licking it's lips.

Put a latch on the door. A simple hook and eye latch can be screwed in in about 30 seconds. They make them that lock afterward and even a nudging dog nose won't dislodge it.

I have multiple latches actually. Just put on today. Its like fort knox :P

She's also going to be put up higher, where she can see less and my pups cant see her.

edit: whoops yesterday* I forgot, I never went to bed ahah

[deanna]

ALSO, she doesn't have much of a tail and I'm not sure she would do well in the wild. I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to scare off other squirrels or mate or anything. I'm going to look into getting a license to see if she would be considered "disabled/unreleasable"

Shes also amazingly attached to me. I could sit on the ground with her for hours and she'd never leave my body. And she acts differently with strangers than she does me.. shes only 5 1/2 weeks old! I think she likes me a lot :P

[deanna]

maybe give her a little sip of sugar water..and a kiss:):Love_Icon
could she have a dab of honey? my glider loved that

[CritterMom]

I have multiple latches actually. Just put on today. Its like fort knox :P

She's also going to be put up higher, where she can see less and my pups cant see her.

edit: whoops yesterday* I forgot, I never went to bed ahah


Not on the cage - on the door into the room.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:shakehead
denial sucks

[deanna]

Not on the cage - on the door into the room.

My dogs haven't yet figured out how to turn the knob and open the door so I think I'll be ok with out it. My door clicks shut. It was a one time accident. I left the door open. Walked away for a min...

That wasn't what I was worried about, just making sure she wasnt vomiting

[deanna]

:shakehead
denial sucks

denial from what?

[lilidukes]

Your squirrel was foaming out of fear and mental anguish. Just the dogs presence caused this. What happen to my squirrels happens to many more. Most people will never tell when disaster strikes them. I have a NR TRex (a "rehabber" thought it was cute to let her cat play with it) who has now very limited use of his front legs due to nerve damage from her cat playing with it. I now have a totally separate building for rehabbing and keeping NR's and their outside area is enclosed from ALL predators domestic or wild.

I can never stress this enough DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE DO NOT MIX!!!!!!!!!

[deanna]

Your squirrel was foaming out of fear and mental anguish. Just the dogs presence caused this. What happen to my squirrels happens to many more. Most people will never tell when disaster strikes them. I have a NR TRex (a "rehabber" thought it was cute to let her cat play with it) who has now very limited use of his front legs due to nerve damage from her cat playing with it. I now have a totally separate building for rehabbing and keeping NR's and their outside area is enclosed from ALL predators domestic or wild.

I can never stress this enough DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE DO NOT MIX!!!!!!!!!
Yessss, I know. I didn't do it on purpose and have known for a long time that dogs/cats and small animals do not mix well.... One time accident. No harm done & apparently she was only scared. Just making sure she wasn't throwing up.

:shakehead

[lilidukes]

My dogs haven't yet figured out how to turn the knob and open the door so I think I'll be ok with out it. My door clicks shut. It was a one time accident. I left the door open. Walked away for a min...

That wasn't what I was worried about, just making sure she wasnt vomiting


My accident was a one time toooooooooooo :grouphug

[deanna]

My accident was a one time toooooooooooo :grouphug

Well the two dogs who were out at that moment wouldnt hurt a fly.

[island rehabber]

Well the two dogs who were out at that moment wouldnt hurt a fly.

I am sure that's exactly what lilidukes thought, too. :shakehead

[deanna]

I am sure that's exactly what lilidukes thought, too. :shakehead

Yeah but I know my dogs, regardless of what anyone has to say. I have 3 and like I said 2 wont hurt anything. I know my other one would though.

I understand dogs shouldnt be around her regardless though, which I've said. I feel as if everyones making too big a deal out of the dog portion of the post. I UNDERSTAND. I've known long before today that dogs shouldnt be around her. I have had a flying squirrel in the past.

[Jackie in Tampa]

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOrTcwa1qpZseMlVW300bnKeTmY_Mdt J8gooAe_lTtpVi_xMRDtA

[CritterMom]

We don't want to jump all over you except we want to jump all over you because we have all read those OMG I never thought...posts. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, I guess. Hopefully the big deal everyone makes will force this to the front of your mind and help make you more crazy anal about the whole thing. That is why I recommended the second latch - it is something physical that you have to do every time, unlike just giving a door a shove - it focuses you on the whole thing a little more. Because unfortunately, not only will a slip up result in a dead squirrel and traumatized human, you will never feel the same way about the dog again, all because it was ultimately being a dog.

[daniellenc]

I think MM is having a hard week understandably:(

Deanna- A few of these posts have been harsh, but know it comes from a place of loving concern much like a parent to a child when they see them making less than ideal choices. People don't naturally know how to take care of anything. You did the right thing by coming here for advice which shows you care- but you also have to take good advice and help when it's offered because caring in whole is all about DOING the right thing, and not the intention of doing so.

Please meet with one of these local peeps to have your baby checked out and get medication if it is needed- they will GIVE it to you:) If she has a tail injury, is foaming at the mouth, and making suspect noises they need to be evaluated much like us when we are under the weather or injured. At least you will have some peace of mind if it is nothing serious, and your baby will have the benefit of proper care. Look at it as having a squirrel god parent- two sets of eyes is never a bad thing:)

[astra]

Deanna,

Do not take the responses here as a personal thing.
Because they are not.
They are an expression of genuine concern for the baby in your care, and of frustration these experienced people feel when a newbie comes and does not seem to listen, trying to defy tried-and-proved sad facts of decades worth of experience and simply natural laws.
There have been too many situations when people try to prove an exception to the rule only to end up being yet another tragic confirmation that the rules are there for a reason.

Sorry if I end up being blunt, but:

When you wrote that people "made too much of a big deal out of all this," that seriously makes one doubt that you are mature enough to care for a baby animal.
That means that you seem not to realize that right now this baby's life is entirely in your hands.
A LIFE is a big deal! A creature's safety, health and life cannot ever be "not a big deal."
Her little life is as much of a big deal as your own.


I hope you realize (and if not - you need to) that you have a LIFE in your hands.
It is exactly the same as if you had a human baby in your care.
It means that:

1. if this baby gets sick because you didn't follow the rehabbers' advise - that will be your responsibility
2. if this baby gets injured and maimed because you didn't follow the rehabbers advise - that will be on your conscience, too.
3. if this baby gets killed because you didn't follow the rehabbers advise - well, do I need to say more?....
4. if anything AT ALL happens to your baby as a result of your not following the rehabbers' advise - ...

This baby wasn't just "a bit scared."
It was terrified to the core of her little being.
You put her through a horrendous traumatizing shock.
Even adult people often have to go through therapy after similar experiences (when they end up grabbed by a bear, or attacked by aggressive dogs). And here it is a tiny prey animal.
You MUST make yourself realize what you put her through. And how grave the situation is.
SHe was traumatized to the point of foaming at the mouth and being limp.
If she had a seizure, it must have been induced by the terror she experienced.
And if she ends up with neuro problems as a result of such traumatic experience, that will be your responsibility.

But it seems that instead of realizing what your baby has gone through and admitting to yourself that the baby needs the kind of care you are unable to provide for her, you end up being defensive, going back and forth with the rehabbers who only are trying to help you prevent potential tragedy and dismissing all this as "not a big deal."
Deanna, how mature is that?

TO take full responsibility for raising this little fuzzy life means:

1. that you MUST keep your dogs COMPLETELY separated from this baby; AT ALL TIMES!

2. that you MUST make a constant mental effort, constant mental pressure to check and double check throughout the day many times that the dogs are ALWAYS and at ALL TIMES locked securely away from the baby;
that all doors are ALWAYS locked and there cannot be ANY accidental open door or any of that.

Yes, that puts a lot of pressure on you, but that's part of taking on responsibility of caring for a baby animal

3. that you MUST follow ALL rehab rules. That includes obtaining and using CORRECT supplies.
If you are unable to purchase all the needed supplies, then, you are not equipped to care for a baby animal and should surrender it to someone who is. And there is an excellent rehabber in your area available.


You MUST make yourself understand and realize that:

1. Your baby SHOULD NOT be exposed to other people.
It should see as few people as possible.
BEcause when she is released, she should not be used to people. SHe should be able to shun them and stay away from them.

She is not a toy to show off to your friends.
Nor is she something to entertain your friends with by letting them do this "cool thing" of feeding a baby animal.

2. Keeping your dogs away from her is not only about them injuring her.
It is also about her future.
As you were already told, she SHOULD retain her natural fear of dogs (and cats). If she is not afraid of dogs when she is released, she will be killed in the most grisly way by the first dog outside.
That kind of death will be due to your negligence of your current responsibility as her care taker.

3. You SHOULD plan for her release.
Right now she is a perfectly healthy and potentially releasable animal.

She is a wild animal and should live the way nature intended her to - in the wild.

For her optimum release success it will be best for her to be raised with other baby squirrels, so that she knows how to interact with other squirrels.
Again - for that it will be best if you surrender her to an experienced rehabber who has other babies.

4. You should also realize that in addition to current supplies, you will need to invest much money into building an indoor cage AND a release cage and cover all other associated expenses.
Are you able to do that at your young age?

Knowing that you are very young and with no experience of wildlife care (and a baby squirrel is no domestic hamster), perhaps, the way to go is to humbly follow all the suggestions, assess your capabilities in a mature way, put the baby's interests first and give her to an experienced rehabber so that she can have a normal life in the future.

[Nancy in New York]

Deanna,

Do not take the responses here as a personal thing.
Because they are not.
They are an expression of genuine concern for the baby in your care, and of frustration these experienced people feel when a newbie comes and does not seem to listen, trying to defy tried-and-proved sad facts of decades worth of experience and simply natural laws.
There have been too many situations when people try to prove an exception to the rule only to end up being yet another tragic confirmation that the rules are there for a reason.

Sorry if I end up being blunt, but:

When you wrote that people "made too much of a big deal out of all this," that seriously makes one doubt that you are mature enough to care for a baby animal.
That means that you seem not to realize that right now this baby's life is entirely in your hands.
A LIFE is a big deal! A creature's safety, health and life cannot ever big "not a big deal."


I hope you realize (and if not - you need to) that you have a LIFE in your hands.
It is exactly the same as if you had a human baby in your care.
It means that:

1. if this baby gets sick because you didn't follow the rehabbers' advise - that will be your responsibility
2. if this baby gets injured and maimed because you didn't follow the rehabbers advise - that will be on your conscience, too.
3. if this baby gets killed because you didn't follow the rehabbers advise - well, do I need to say more?....
4. if anything AT ALL happens to your baby as a result of your not following the rehabbers' advise - ...

This baby wasn't just "a bit scared."
It was terrified to the core of her little being.
You put her through a horrendous traumatizing shock.
Even adult people often have to go through therapy after similar experiences (when they end up grabbed by a bear, or attacked by aggressive dogs). And here it is a tiny prey animal.
You MUST make yourself realize what you put her through. And how grave the situation is.
SHe was traumatized to the point of foaming at the mouth and being limp.
If she had a seizure, it must have been induced by the terror she experienced.
And if she ends up with neuro problems as a result of such traumatic experience, that will be your responsibility.

But it seems that instead of realizing what your baby has gone through and admitting to yourself that the baby needs the kind of care you are unable to provide for her, you end up being defensive, going back and forth with the rehabbers who only are trying to help you prevent potential tragedy and dismissing all this as "not a big deal."
Deanna, how mature is that?

TO take full responsibility for raising this little fuzzy life means:

1. that you MUST keep your dogs COMPLETELY separated from this baby; AT ALL TIMES!

2. that you MUST make a constant mental effort, constant mental pressure to check and double check throughout the day many times that the dogs are ALWAYS and at ALL TIMES locked securely away from the baby;
that all doors are ALWAYS locked and there cannot be ANY accidental open door or any of that.

Yes, that puts a lot of pressure on you, but that's part of taking on responsibility of caring for a baby animal

3. that you MUST follow ALL rehab rules. That includes obtaining and using CORRECT supplies.
If you are unable to purchase all the needed supplies, then, you are not equipped to care for a baby animal and should surrender it to someone who is. And there is an excellent rehabber in your area available.


You MUST make yourself understand and realize that:

1. Your baby SHOULD NOT be exposed to other people.
It should see as few people as possible.
BEcause when she is released, she should not be used to people. SHe should be able to shun them and stay away from them.

2. Keeping your dogs away from her is not only about them injuring her.
It is also about her future.
As you were already told, she SHOULD retain her natural fear of dogs (and cats). If she is not afraid of dogs when she is released, she will be killed in the most grisly way by the first dog outside.
That kind of death will be due to your negligence of your current responsibility as her care taker.

3. You SHOULD plan for her release.
Right now she is a perfectly healthy and potentially releasable animal.

She is a wild animal and should live the way nature intended her to - in the wild.

For her optimum release success it will be best for her to be raised with other baby squirrels, so that she knows how to interact with other squirrels.
Again - for that it will be best if you surrender her to an experienced rehabber who has other babies.

4. You should also realize that in addition to current supplies, you will need to invest much money into building an indoor cage AND a release cage and cover all other associated expenses.
Are you able to do that at your young age?

Knowing that you are very young and with no experience of wildlife care (and a baby squirrel is no domestic hamster), perhaps, the way to go is to humbly follow all the suggestions, assess your capabilities in a mature way, put the baby's interests first and give her to an experienced rehabber so that she can have a normal life in the future.

And this is another reason why I just adore you astra....:Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Almost forgot....:D I'm in the middle of feedings.
Milo's Mom, thank you too for ALWAYS being here, and helping constantly.:bowdown

[Sara89nicole]

So often in society people put way to much trust in their pets that they are so convinced wouldnt harm a fly. Then you see stories of kids being mauled by dogs who have been raised around that kid. Stories of even one time accidents leading to the death of another animal or even a human. Yes today's pet dogs are domesticated, but today's domesticated dogs didn't start that way. They were bred from WILD dogs and no matter the time it's been or how choosy the breeders are you can never breed out the wild instinct. I've seen personally friendly dogs take a shot at and win the fight with wildlife, domestic or not. I've seen rabbits, chickens, birds, and even other dogs mutilated by a DOMESTIC and FRIENDLY dog. Dogs are smarter than they are given credit for and just cause this incident didn't result in the death of this baby squirrel don't mean the next one won't. The dogs now know how comfortable you are with this and how easy a target this baby really is and that's no good. I had to learn the hard way with the baby flyers I'm raising, one was killed by my son, not even another animal. Also the baby can survive fine in the wild with half a tail, read around TSB and you will see that. The baby is affectionate cause its imprinted you as mama and depends on you to care for, provide for, and PROTECT it. Give this baby a shot at a happy life and plan to release or turn it over. It's for the best.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

WOW!

Am I in the wrong place? Did I stumble into a website for Rehabbers only?

I'm not going to take up for Deana... I too, was horrified that she let a guest feed her squirrel when I read it last nite. I too, didn't understand why someone would not try to move the ends of the earth to get the right medication for a sick squirrel.

Surely taking care of a squirrel is something that can be LEARNED from the experts. I was so THRILLED to have somewhere to get help for Gen. Forrest!! I only want the very best for him. There's no rehabbers here to surrender him too. He would be one dead squirrel if it weren't for ya'll. (He was well on his way when I found him).

I have an Associate Degree in Nursing, and a Bachelor's of Science. I hope I am smart enough to LEARN from the experts. I know I ask too many questions and post too many threads maybe.


I try to help pass on the information that I have read here to other posters, cuz it's all about the squirrels

Please don't write off ALL the newbies. Please help us when we do dumb stuff. I didn't know to 1/4 my Henry's Blocks, because I hadn't read it yet. I have read and read and read these posts, but there are little things that experienced folks may forget to mention.

Newbies like me need everything spelled out step by step, or else I probably won't think of every step on my own.

After reading this, I feel like I am doing the General a disservice by keeping him. I wanted to watch him grow up and rejoin the wild squirrels, but if it is best for him to be elsewhere, please come and get him. I need your help to raise him right, I can't do it without you all. Please be patient with us newbies.... who knows maybe one day we will be as experienced as some of you all are.

I have done everything you all said to do, bought formula, Henry's Blocks, new syringes ( I too made it for a week using a 10 cc syringe). I got a scale today. Bought a heating pad first nite. I have Calcium supplement on hand in case of MBD, Vitamin Supplement (just in case), my boyfriend is a VET and he is getting supplies of Baytril and other meds together for me to have on hand in case of emergency. But I am sure nothing, ABSOLUTELY nothing is gonna take the place of YOUR WISDOM HERE ONLINE.

Please answer our questions and help us, help the squirrels.

Not all of us newbies are letting strangers feed our squirrels. Please don't judge us ALL too harshly.

I sincerely hope that by saying this no one gets mad at me.... but I sorta feel like (bad vibes) some people post and don't answer the questions I ask. They may sound like dumb questions a lot of the time, but I sure don't want to wonder if I did something wrong and cause my squirrel to suffer.

Hugs
Crazy Squirrel Lady

[Sara89nicole]

If anything I said was offensive it wasn't meant to be I was simply trying to stress the point of the danger of the dogs. We all make mistakes and have questions, it's human nature and how we learn from the time we are children. Being able to accept advice and criticism is important though if we are ever to truly learn. When we shrug off good advice it's due to pride in excess and can lead to harm in more ways than one. I hope I wasn't to rude or mean in what I said, I'm new to this and have made mistakes of my own, I just don't want to see this baby spend its life in captivity when it can safely be released, thus my statement to either plan to release or turn over.

[astra]

CSL,

:peace I am a bit confused here.
At what point or who said that this was about ALL newcomers??... And for REhabbers only?

I am not a licensed rehabber myself.
In fact, I still consider myself a newbie to all this.
And I accept the fact that I will remain a newbie for another 10 years or so, until I rehab and release 100 squirrels, maybe.
AND even then, I am sure I will still be learning and learning and listening to those who will have more experience than I.

Just to clarify:
There is a very specific issue/situation addressed here:

Newcomers who DO NOT SEEM to follow the suggestions and advice of those who have much more experience.

Who DO NOT SEEM to want to really learn, and instead of listening to experienced people start arguing and getting defiant.

Who think that a squirrel is cute and therefore do not want to release a wild animal.

Who DO NOT SEEM to put squirrels' interests and needs before their own.
Who, at 18 years of age (and there have been 14 year olds here, too) cannot afford all the supplies, food, blocks, cages etc etc etc (everything that you did :thumbsup ), and, most importantly, medical care; YET, while being thus unfit to care for a wild animal, still RESIST giving it over to an excellent rehabber who can provide the proper care.

Who, at 18 years old (or even younger) do not realize that in captivity squirrels can live up to 15-20 years.
And, apparently, do not fully know what commitment means - to commit to being a sole caretaker of a wild animal for 15-20 years, no matter what: going away to school, relocating due to job, marrying, divorcing, having kids, wanting to go on vacations (and there are really no vacations when there is a squirrel) etc etc etc.
And that keeping a wild animal is not even close to keeping a dog. Besides the fact that keeping a healthy able wild animal in captivity against its will is cruel.
Who, by not listening to the experienced rehabbers, willfully endanger a baby animal's life.

THere is a huge difference between people who come here to learn (and they do learn) and those, who immaturely do what they feel like doing with no regard for how their actions will affect a baby animal in their care.

People here are more than open to share all they know and help someone learn how to care for wild squirrel babies.

BUT it's a two way street and that someone should want to learn.
And part of any learning means following the suggestions, accepting one's mistakes and correcting them, AND realizing one's limitations instead of getting argumentative and defiant.

Hopefully, this helps to clarify:peace

[CrazySquirrelLady]

If anything I said was offensive it wasn't meant to be I was simply trying to stress the point of the danger of the dogs. We all make mistakes and have questions, it's human nature and how we learn from the time we are children. Being able to accept advice and criticism is important though if we are ever to truly learn. When we shrug off good advice it's due to pride in excess and can lead to harm in more ways than one. I hope I wasn't to rude or mean in what I said, I'm new to this and have made mistakes of my own, I just don't want to see this baby spend its life in captivity when it can safely be released, thus my statement to either plan to release or turn over.


NO, not my point at all, and I'd hate to upset anyone....

I too want the BEST for the squirrels, WHATEVER it takes.

Good advice from experts for FREE is worth a ton of English Walnuts to these squirrels.

All us newbies need to LISTEN to the EXPERTS and LEARN.

Hugs
CSL

[astra]

But after reading this I wonder if I will be able to learn fast enough, ask the right questions. I hope no one minds that I keep posting and asking and asking and asking.

Hugs
CSL
this is not a race ;):poke , we all learn at our own pace, and there are no set speed ranges/limits for learning.
Not only no one "minds" when someone asks questions, but moreover - asking questions is encouraged and welcomed.
As the old saying goes, there are no stupid questions, but only those that are not asked.
So, please, keep asking, asking, and asking, and asking, and asking...:grouphug
(I do that myself all the time ;))

[island rehabber]

astra, that was one of the most brilliant posts I have ever read here on TSB. It should be a Sticky in the Introduce Yourself section. You summed it up perfectly, why sometimes we have vastly different reactions to one newbie as opposed to another. Humility and knowing that you DON'T know is key; TSB folks will go to the ends of the world for you if you make that clear. But, arrogance? Tends to set us off a bit......to put it mildly. :peace

[deanna]

We don't want to jump all over you except we want to jump all over you because we have all read those OMG I never thought...posts. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, I guess. Hopefully the big deal everyone makes will force this to the front of your mind and help make you more crazy anal about the whole thing. That is why I recommended the second latch - it is something physical that you have to do every time, unlike just giving a door a shove - it focuses you on the whole thing a little more. Because unfortunately, not only will a slip up result in a dead squirrel and traumatized human, you will never feel the same way about the dog again, all because it was ultimately being a dog.

I honestly appreciate everyone trying to warn me. I just wish people would believe me when I say I KNOW. I have many different small animals in my room. I'm in a huge habit of shutting the door so it clicks shut, where the only way to enter is to turn the knob. I'm in this habit because of all my other pets I've had for YEARS. Ever since I was little. I am crazy anal about it and my dogs are quite well at listening to me when I say they can't come in. Plus, the squirrels in its new location. She is in her new cage, in my closet with double doors. So I have the option to close them when she sleeps, ect. and the dogs can be in my room if I'd like, without either seeing eachother. Works well. I didn't actually realize she'd be THAT afraid of them and that is why I didn't snap the door shut. I know now, thanks everyone.

[deanna]

I think MM is having a hard week understandably:(

Deanna- A few of these posts have been harsh, but know it comes from a place of loving concern much like a parent to a child when they see them making less than ideal choices. People don't naturally know how to take care of anything. You did the right thing by coming here for advice which shows you care- but you also have to take good advice and help when it's offered because caring in whole is all about DOING the right thing, and not the intention of doing so.

Please meet with one of these local peeps to have your baby checked out and get medication if it is needed- they will GIVE it to you:) If she has a tail injury, is foaming at the mouth, and making suspect noises they need to be evaluated much like us when we are under the weather or injured. At least you will have some peace of mind if it is nothing serious, and your baby will have the benefit of proper care. Look at it as having a squirrel god parent- two sets of eyes is never a bad thing:)

Thankyou. And yes, I've been doing so much research, Not only on this website and not only online. I'm going to meet with a rehabber. I've talked to a couple. And other than my friend feeding her and the wrong size syringe, I've done everything else corectly as people have told me to.

But regardless of people coming from "love and concern" they should be able to see, I'm DOING the right things, and doing a good job of it. Instead, I'm getting attacked. Its nonsense. People have feelings, just like animals. I don't deserve to be talked to like that at all.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

:peace

I hope the squirrel gets well, and has no problems. It's great news to hear you are talking to a rehabber.

God Bless Your Squirrel

[island rehabber]

Yes, I've edited the hell out of this thread. It needed it desperately. Best of luck with your squirrel. :peace

[CritterMom]

Thankyou. And yes, I've been doing so much research, Not only on this website and not only online. I'm going to meet with a rehabber. I've talked to a couple. And other than my friend feeding her and the wrong size syringe, I've done everything else corectly as people have told me to.

But regardless of people coming from "love and concern" they should be able to see, I'm DOING the right things, and doing a good job of it. Instead, I'm getting attacked. Its nonsense. People have feelings, just like animals. I don't deserve to be talked to like that at all.

Deanna, until you can get to the rehabber, go talk to your pharmacist directly. Tell him your neighbor's cat rejected her newborn kitten and you are trying to feed it but the bottles are too big. See if you can get some 1cc or 3cc syringes. Most pharmacists will just give them to you. They are crappy disposable syringes but if you pull the plunger all the way out every time you clean and wipe it with a tiny bit of cooking oil before you stick it back into the barrel of the syringe, you can use them until you can get some decent o-ring type.