Abnormal behavior

[Peachesmom]

Dixie is 5 months old now. Shes got about 3/4 of her new tail. We were playing with her today, and I noticed some tail hair on the carpet, a very little clump. Since then, shes really grumpy. She plays, but she will lay flat on her stomach and flick her tail, and grump at us. Is she in pain? We go to pick her up, and she gripes at us, like she hurts. But shes running around in her cage like normal. She wants to bite and be alittle more aggressive too. How do squirrels deal with pain? Every night she drinks her milk, she refused it tonight. Will she be ok? Do I need to check anything in her?
She was fine until I seen this hair from her tail.

[Rhapsody]

Some of what you are describing is a normal part of your little girl wilding up and becoming the squirrel she was meant to be...... please know that during this time she may start to bond only to her care giver, so please be careful if she scratches or bites others in the family.

If you are concerned about her possibly being in pain due to hurting her tail just give us her body weight and we can dose her for Mortins Infants Drops........ helps with pain and inflammation.

[Peachesmom]

She has bonded to my husband and my self. She shows no favorites.
Ive just never seen her do these things.

[stepnstone]

Dixie is 5 months old now. Shes got about 3/4 of her new tail. We were playing with her today, and I noticed some tail hair on the carpet, a very little clump. Since then, shes really grumpy. She plays, but she will lay flat on her stomach and flick her tail, and grump at us. Is she in pain? We go to pick her up, and she gripes at us, like she hurts. But shes running around in her cage like normal. She wants to bite and be alittle more aggressive too. How do squirrels deal with pain? Every night she drinks her milk, she refused it tonight. Will she be ok? Do I need to check anything in her?
She was fine until I seen this hair from her tail.
If the hairs were pulled out somehow I'm sure that would be uncomfortable
enough to cause her irritation and she is exhibiting it like a squirrel.
Can you see any damage to tail where the hair may have come from?

[Peachesmom]

I dont think theres damage, I think its sore. I can rub my hand down her tail, and she fusses. It look to me when she would lay on her stomach and flick her tail like it was a mating thing...but shes too young.

[Peachesmom]

My hubby and I took dixie out to play tonight. She jumped on me and started biting alittle harder, then the next minute, she's laying on my leg letting me pet her. Is she confused on who to pick? She has biten my hubby alittle harder tonight too, but not like me. She doesnt seem as playful as she used to bd. What makes them choose?

[Nancy in New York]

What makes them choose?
Nature, frustration and their urge to live the lives they were meant to,
despite what WE want.

[Peachesmom]

Seems the one who takes more time with them would be the one they choose, she has broke my heart

[gunpackingrandma]

My six month red male is doing the same thing. My husband and I have always spent equal time with Ben. On and off the past month Ben attacks one or both of us on a regular basis. My husband is heart broken over this. I keep reassuring my husband it's not personal, it's just Ben's way of telling us he's getting older and ready to live the life he was meant to live. My husband no longer goes in the room for play time. I wear double shirts, double gloves and safety glasses. Really happy I was wearing safety glasses two days ago when Ben suddenly attacked my face. He was fine sitting on my lap getting love, then in a second he was chirpping and attacking. Amazing how much damage a 8oz squirrel can do!

[Spanky]

Seems the one who takes more time with them would be the one they choose, she has broke my heart

I know it may seem strange right now, but for me the best part of entire process is releasing squirrels to be free in the trees. I also know I have a terrific situation, being able to release where I live so I get visits by the releases every single day. Some every single day, others that I do not see for weeks, months and in at least 1 case a full year... then they stop by one day to say hello... that really makes my day(s)!

Sometimes special little ones find their way to me and there is nothing within my power I can do to get them to be free in the trees... that is what breaks my heart. I too often feel as if I have failed them, but I know I should accept that I cannot replace a missing foot or make them whole when their little bodies are so challenged. But I will never accept it and always keep trying.

It is a real blessing when they are happy, healthy and ready to take on the world from 75 feet up in the trees!

[Peachesmom]

Gunpackinggrandma...
Its very heart breaking, Dixie is biting my hubby too, but not like she does me. If hes not in the room, shes very calm and loving towards me.

[Nancy in New York]

Gunpackinggrandma...
Its very heart breaking, Dixie is biting my hubby too, but not like she does me. If hes not in the room, shes very calm and loving towards me.

As Gunpackinggrandma said, this is not personal.
These are wild animals programed to survive on their terms.
Very few opt to stay. If we force them, they become our prisoners.
What you are experiencing is NORMAL behavoir and we will never change that,
no matter how much we may want to.
We HAVE to respect them, and put our feelings aside.

This was written a few years back by a member who struggled with her
decision to help a ground squirrel with back end paralysis.

Her words stay with me daily.


Hi everyone!

I'm doing the very best I can to take of him, but not a day goes by that I don't question myself, thinking I've done the wrong thing. Maybe I should have respected nature and accepted that not all baby squirrels are destined to make it. Some days I think he would have been better off not surviving, than being kept prisoner. I've tried really hard to bond with him and care for him, but he just looks at me like the scary lady who captured him and put him in a box. In his squirrel mind, his life wasn't saved. He became prey.

The last few days I've really been struggling with this, as he seems to be getting more agitated with age. He wants to be free, and to be a squirrel running around outside, which he can't be. Yesterday I noticed some blood on his bedding. It looks like he is gnawing on his feet and legs, maybe out of frustration because they won't work. He can't feel them, so has no way of knowing that he is injuring himself.


............ I'm one of those softies who wants to save every bird with a broken wing, and think I'm helping, when maybe I'm not. I just want what is best for him, whatever that may be.

Kathy

[Peachesmom]

Thats very sad...

[Spanky]

How is Dixie doing these days?!?

[Spanky]

How is Dixie doing these days?!?

I hope Dixie is doing well and still happy?