Signs of Stress?

[Snicker Bar]

My 2 year old NR female grey has started this OCD like circling behavior . She and her two younger foster sisters have a large, outdoor habitat (reinforced screened in porch). I rearrange and add new ,large, fresh tree limbs frequently. They also have log pieces, 4 fans, a pan of water to dip in , and her original cage ( large 2 story cat condo cage-doors open) that I moved out there to allow access to her cozy cube if wanted it. Over the last couple of weeks, she has started this early morning circling ; on and on and on...around a crepe myrtle "tree" (huge limb erected vertical to ceiling). She is losing weight; and even if I go and sit down right by her circle route, she seems uninterested in coming to me, like she's in a trance and just keeps going. Her younger non-release fosters ( who were introduced earlier this spring) were tightly bonded as youngsters; so they rough and tumble in the cooler am and pm temps. Snickers never has acted fearful of, or aggressive to them. She's basically indifferent, except at feeding time-she has the first picks lol . But even now, she won't come for food regularly; she has made a hammock nest in the rolls of the curtains I have (rolled up for summer). They all tend to sleep most of the daytime during the worst heat of day- but they are plump and healthy looking- she's gotten thin and unkempt. She surely had acclimated to the weather, because all three have been outside since temps were consistently over 50 ( day and night). she is used to being inside most of the winter for cold nights, but outside when warms up above freezing, since this room has so much more to offer than being in a cage indoors . We have multiple pets; so free range of the house is not an option. But if necessary, I will bring her and the cat condo back in the house for the rest of summer and allow her our back bath room and bedroom for a few hours per day, in the air conditioning, if that's what she needs. If I did this, should I just let her out in the evenings to play in her trees ( if she will?). Will it be worse to come in and out like that, should she just stay inside? Could this be a sign of a heat cycle (they can hear other squirrels I'm sure) ? I'm worried she's frustrated , but their room is huge and Ive tried to make living in captivity a luxury as best As I can. Just worried she's depressed or stressed, don't want her to heat stroke from this obcessive behavior- if I can help her and let her stay with her companions and playroom, that would be preferred ( I would think she would be happier); but if folks here have seen this and know she needs moved in for whatever reason ; will do. Thanks for thoughts!

[PennyCash]

My 2 year old NR female grey has started this OCD like circling behavior . She and her two younger foster sisters have a large, outdoor habitat (reinforced screened in porch). I rearrange and add new ,large, fresh tree limbs frequently. They also have log pieces, 4 fans, a pan of water to dip in , and her original cage ( large 2 story cat condo cage-doors open) that I moved out there to allow access to her cozy cube if wanted it. Over the last couple of weeks, she has started this early morning circling ; on and on and on...around a crepe myrtle "tree" (huge limb erected vertical to ceiling). She is losing weight; and even if I go and sit down right by her circle route, she seems uninterested in coming to me, like she's in a trance and just keeps going. Her younger non-release fosters ( who were introduced earlier this spring) were tightly bonded as youngsters; so they rough and tumble in the cooler am and pm temps. Snickers never has acted fearful of, or aggressive to them. She's basically indifferent, except at feeding time-she has the first picks lol . But even now, she won't come for food regularly; she has made a hammock nest in the rolls of the curtains I have (rolled up for summer). They all tend to sleep most of the daytime during the worst heat of day- but they are plump and healthy looking- she's gotten thin and unkempt. She surely had acclimated to the weather, because all three have been outside since temps were consistently over 50 ( day and night). she is used to being inside most of the winter for cold nights, but outside when warms up above freezing, since this room has so much more to offer than being in a cage indoors . We have multiple pets; so free range of the house is not an option. But if necessary, I will bring her and the cat condo back in the house for the rest of summer and allow her our back bath room and bedroom for a few hours per day, in the air conditioning, if that's what she needs. If I did this, should I just let her out in the evenings to play in her trees ( if she will?). Will it be worse to come in and out like that, should she just stay inside? Could this be a sign of a heat cycle (they can hear other squirrels I'm sure) ? I'm worried she's frustrated , but their room is huge and Ive tried to make living in captivity a luxury as best As I can. Just worried she's depressed or stressed, don't want her to heat stroke from this obcessive behavior- if I can help her and let her stay with her companions and playroom, that would be preferred ( I would think she would be happier); but if folks here have seen this and know she needs moved in for whatever reason ; will do. Thanks for thoughts!

Gosh Snickerbar, the porch sounds lovely and if she's d accustomed to being out there this new pacing does seem odd.
Have you changed anything that you can think of? Moved things, added anything, changed soaps? Why is she NR?Could that be behind the pacing?

[Snicker Bar]

Gosh Snickerbar, the porch sounds lovely and if she's d accustomed to being out there this new pacing does seem odd.
Have you changed anything that you can think of? Moved things, added anything, changed soaps? Why is she NR?Could that be behind the pacing?

Well, I did add some new Crepe Myrtle limbs, and such; trying to keep it interesting. She was a neuro baby from Fall before last. She was blind and head tilted with balance issues. She regained her sight and head tilt resolved, but over several mos. She still is unable to leap or jump limb to limb.

[PennyCash]

I find myself wondering if it's possible that this behavior is neuro related I honestly don't know. I had a dog with Cushings (he had a tumor on his pituitary gland) He obsessively paced when the medicine wasn't working. Similarly to what your describing although with him even if we held him his legs would keep going. Mind you I'm not suggesting that she has Cushings just that the behavior appears similar including the lack of interest in food and trance like state. :grouphug

[Snicker Bar]

I find myself wondering if it's possible that this behavior is neuro related I honestly don't know. I had a dog with Cushings (he had a tumor on his pituitary gland) He obsessively paced when the medicine wasn't working. Similarly to what your describing although with him even if we held him his legs would keep going. Mind you I'm not suggesting that she has Cushings just that the behavior appears similar including the lack of interest in food and trance like state. :grouphug

Does the idea of bringing her in for worst parts of day, then back out in evenings; early am, sound like a good idea regardless ( for more people interaction)? Or is coming in and out of the humidity not a good idea?

[PennyCash]

Does the idea of bringing her in for worst parts of day, then back out in evenings; early am, sound like a good idea regardless ( for more people interaction)? Or is coming in and out of the humidity not a good idea?

Please keep in mind that I am by no means an expert or terribly versed in this behavior. What you were describing sounds so much like what we went through with our dog. I've also seen caged animals behave similarly for a variety of reasons. But, I don't see where more people interaction would ever be a bad idea for a NR, unless it's very traumatic for them. Didn't you mention other animals in the house so please be careful in that regard.If she were my girl I would also be monitoring her closely ready to go to the vet's if she continues to not eat and behave unlike herself. Honestly, the trance like state would be a concern of mine.

[Rexie]

I am not a expert by any means.. I have worked for veterinarians for over 14 years. I have seen the going in circles and trance state as you describe in animals with head trauma. In my opinion this may be a effect from her injury that just surfaced it ugly head. I had a bird once that had head trauma, he would flip in circles terribly and I had to put him out of his misery. I hope something can be done for your little one.

[redwuff]

I have a nr that has a spinal injury who is 5 1/2. She goes through similar behavior every year starting in mid July where she is very restless, oblivious to me, and runs to window to window. This is also a time when the wild outside squirrels tend to go off some place as well in a migration and the numbers decrease dramatically. Other members on this board have also noticed this behavior in the wild population. I think my nr feels this pull and wants to go also. It lasts for about 3 wks. Then she fattens up in the fall.

Don't know if this is what is going on with your nr. I found that whatever I tried to do to give her more stimulation did not make any difference in her behavior.

Trysh

[Daisey007]

Hi Rexie, :grouphug

Did you by any chance see my recent post "Chewy's Abscess"? Regrettably, it's posted in "The Rainbow Bridge/All Squirrels go to Heaven" section.

I'm not a doctor by any means but I've lived long enough to have had many experiences in my life. And although the 'truth' may at times seem very harsh; I wouldn't be doing you any favors by telling you to go fluff her pillows. So, with all that said, I believe you might want to take a closer and more serious look at her 'health' rather than her accommodations. The behavioral changes along with weight loss that you're seeing could be the ONLY symptoms of something very serious... I'd get her to the veterinarian asap - if not sooner.

Sending hugs and prayers your way... :hug

Kindest regards,
Pam

"You cannot change what you don't acknowledge." Dr. Phil

[Snicker Bar]

I have a nr that has a spinal injury who is 5 1/2. She goes through similar behavior every year starting in mid July where she is very restless, oblivious to me, and runs to window to window. This is also a time when the wild outside squirrels tend to go off some place as well in a migration and the numbers decrease dramatically. Other members on this board have also noticed this behavior in the wild population. I think my nr feels this pull and wants to go also. It lasts for about 3 wks. Then she fattens up in the fall.

Don't know if this is what is going on with your nr. I found that whatever I tried to do to give her more stimulation did not make any difference in her behavior.

Trysh

Restless- that's exactly the impression it gives me. The trance I mentioned before isn't constant; but this behavior is at its worse early in am, and perhaps as you mentioned when they normally would hear or see their wild neighbors out in front yard. If so that breaks my heart for her. I think I've decided to bring her and that cat cage in today for a few weeks. The other two won't miss her, they have each other (and a fat bunny on the floor). I brought her in to help me and DD fold a weeks worth of laundry, and she happily skipped all over the bedroom and back bath (we have a "Snickers Free Time" sign for the door so family is careful not to let a cat in- although the cats run from her if ever cross paths. My other main concern was the bringing in and out- in this major heat and humidity; are nr squirrels at risk of getting sick if I did this. Small animals like our cats and dogs can hop in and out in temperature extremes. I just am not familiar with a squirrel's ability to handle that. We don't keep the house freezing, but temps outside are near 100 with heat index, and she would be dropping to 74 coming in. Thank you for the thoughts everyone- unless someone thinks these temperature extremes could shock her into other issues I'm planning to keep her in a few weeks; maybe let her out into porch for playtime occasionally in cooler ( when rains, or if breezy) temps, if this sounds ok.

[Snicker Bar]

Hi Rexie, :grouphug

Did you by any chance see my recent post "Chewy's Abscess"? Regrettably, it's posted in "The Rainbow Bridge/All Squirrels go to Heaven" section.

I'm not a doctor by any means but I've lived long enough to have had many experiences in my life. And although the 'truth' may at times seem very harsh; I wouldn't be doing you any favors by telling you to go fluff her pillows. So, with all that said, I believe you might want to take a closer and more serious look at her 'health' rather than her accommodations. The behavioral changes along with weight loss that you're seeing could be the ONLY symptoms of something very serious... I'd get her to the veterinarian asap - if not sooner.

Sending hugs and prayers your way... :hug

Kindest regards,
Pam

"You cannot change what you don't acknowledge." Dr. Phil

I just saw this, I'm so sorry about your little one. I can definitely arrange for some bloodwork (CBC/Chem panel and a urinalysis) to be done . I have no knowledge as of yet on the warning signs of squirrel behaviors as they relate to certain illnesses. So thank you for your insight; I'm still very new to this animal species! The members here have way more medical knowledge than most DVM's in my area for sure!

[Snicker Bar]

I just read your posts on Chewy's abscess, that's heartbreaking! Did you hear back on necropsy results?

[PennyCash]

Restless- that's exactly the impression it gives me. The trance I mentioned before isn't constant; but this behavior is at its worse early in am, and perhaps as you mentioned when they normally would hear or see their wild neighbors out in front yard. If so that breaks my heart for her. I think I've decided to bring her and that cat cage in today for a few weeks. The other two won't miss her, they have each other (and a fat bunny on the floor). I brought her in to help me and DD fold a weeks worth of laundry, and she happily skipped all over the bedroom and back bath (we have a "Snickers Free Time" sign for the door so family is careful not to let a cat in- although the cats run from her if ever cross paths. My other main concern was the bringing in and out- in this major heat and humidity; are nr squirrels at risk of getting sick if I did this. Small animals like our cats and dogs can hop in and out in temperature extremes. I just am not familiar with a squirrel's ability to handle that. We don't keep the house freezing, but temps outside are near 100 with heat index, and she would be dropping to 74 coming in. Thank you for the thoughts everyone- unless someone thinks these temperature extremes could shock her into other issues I'm planning to keep her in a few weeks; maybe let her out into porch for playtime occasionally in cooler ( when rains, or if breezy) temps, if this sounds ok.

I'm glad to hear that the trance like state isn't constant. That really was concerning me.
She happily skipped around helping fold laundry is wonderful news!
I love your Snicker Free time sign! I have one as well that let's everyone know my girl is running loose in her room so that no one let's a cat in.

[Snicker Bar]

Thanks again :) That Chewy story does make me aware though , that seemingly non life threatening things could be far worse. If she continues this today or in next few I will have tests done. Her story made me tear up , that's just so sad. After all they've been through . But encourages me also to hear a mom's devotion to God's little fuzzy angels in disguise :)

[Daisey007]

Snicker Bar -

Sorry I addressed the wrong person (Rexie) earlier.

Yes, I did get the necropsy report back, and I posted the results on Chewy's Abscess page.

Chewy also had that distant 'off in space' look periodically. My Daisey also did that, and the people here and the veterinarian said that it could be a type of seizure. In fact, Chewy had symptoms very similar to your little one. Blood work is always great to have but I think I'd opt for an X-ray in this case if you can't do both. The results are immediate, and could possibly (hopefully) rule out cancer.

The one thing I regret is not getting him to the vet sooner when I could have made him more comfortable to the end, and I could have spent more time loving him and saying my goodbyes.

Pam