Aggression

[Karie]

Hi Everyone,

I really need some pearls of wisdom. I posted something a while back but haven't gotten any feedback yet. My one year old male has become sporadically aggressive. He bit through my thumb last week. All the way through it pulled my thumb nail right off. Marvin plays rough when he's excited but has always been a very lovey guy. The only thing I can equate his sudden violence with is that I made the mistake of bringing in and nursing a new injured baby grey. That is the only thing that has changed in Marvin's life. They have no contact, the newbie is still tiny and I keep them completely separated. The only way Marv could possibly know of his existence is if he smells him on me or something. After being bitten so hard I find myself a bit frightened of him. I am really torn here. I am in an area where keeping them is not allowed but Marvin has a little neurological tick, like a head bob that he has had since I rescued him. Over the last year we have been able to heal all of his ailments except for the head ticking. After speaking with my vet she is on the fence on whether Marvin could make it on his own, not necessarily because of the tick but more so because he has been with me so long now. Even so, she firmly believes I should release him anyway and just make peace with the fact that it may go really well or, it may not. I am obviously struggling with that decision as I have spent a year caring for him and nursing him back to health. Marvin had freedom to roam about the house prior to his attack, though I have been keeping him in one room since he bit me. I am unwilling to keep him locked up but I am fearful though that if he were to get me again it could be worse. I read somewhere that the only way to curb the aggression is to have him neutured. My vet is a hard no on doing that and I am not in an area that allows having squirrels. Even if neutering him were an option I don't know if it is the right thing to do or if it would even really work. Have any of you experienced this before, the aggression? Do you think it is safe to release him even though he has been with me a year? He does have a condo outside for his outdoor/sunshine time so he is used to the sounds and sites of the outdoors but has never slept out there. I want him to have the best life possible, if that is releasing him then that's what I want to do. I just want to make sure I am doing what is right by him and not setting him up for failure. I would appreciate any feedback, words of wisdom or experience any of you may have. Thank you in advance.

[Charley Chuckles]

Ok first neutering will NOT make a squirrel less aggressive.
It could be the smell of the babies on you, so of course was hands yada yada.
This may pass so just be on gard 🤪
He may be going through hormone change and will be back to his sweet self soon...... It's happened to me many times👍

[Karie]

Ok first neutering will NOT make a squirrel less aggressive.
It could be the smell of the babies on you, so of course was have yada yada.
This may pass so just be on gard 🤪
He may be going through hormone change and will be back to his sweet self soon...... It's happened to me many times👍

I am glad to know that neutering is not the answer. I mean he is a wild animal so it did sound a bit crazy to me, but I am still learning! Do they have hormone changes at certain times in their life or something? So you think I should wait it out and see if it improves versus attempting release?

[Charley Chuckles]

I am glad to know that neutering is not the answer. I mean he is a wild animal so it did sound a bit crazy to me, but I am still learning! Do they have hormone changes at certain times in their life or something? So you think I should wait it out and see if it improves versus attempting release?

Sorry I was busy with tree guys here so I only read quickly.
I thought because of neurological tick he is a non releasable 🤷
I've had a couple non released squirrels due to Neuro issues. If he truly has that issue I wouldn't believe he could ever be released.

[Karie]

Sorry I was busy with tree guys here so I only read quickly.
I thought because of neurological tick he is a non releasable 🤷
I've had a couple non released squirrels due to Neuro issues. If he truly has that issue I wouldn't believe he could ever be released.

Yes, he has like this head bob tick. It looks like a twitch or a head jerk. Most days it is mellow but periodically it is really prominent. My vet originally thought it was an ear infection. A gal at henry's pets told me that 2 things can cause the tick, an inner ear infection or a UI. We tested for UI and it wasn't that so she put him to sleep to look down in his ears. She said there was some dirt down there but no clear sign of infection so she cleaned them up good and gave him an antibiotic injection just in case but the tick never went away. This left her to believe that he must have some sort minor neurological issue from an injury or fall before rescue. My vet thinks he should be released regardless of the tick and the length of time he has been with me, but another gal I talked to who has rehabbed several squirrels said she does not think he should be released. I just want him to have a happy life and am torn between the only 2 opinions I have been given about whether he is capable or not. Once he bit me I started to wonder if he was trying to tell me that he isn't digging his life in captivity?

[Charley Chuckles]

Dear Lord I'm sorry whatever vet your seeing in my opinion lacks the knowledge of SQUIRRELS.
If he shows ANY signs of neurological issues at this age it works be a death sentence to release him😳

[Karie]

Dear Lord I'm sorry whatever vet your seeing in my opinion lacks the knowledge of SQUIRRELS.
If he shows ANY signs of neurological issues at this age it works be a death sentence to release him😳

Yes, she most definitely lacks experience with squirrels. The vet school she attended in our state has a wildlife rehab center, but she attended that probably 25 years ago and that was her minimal experience with squirrel care. Other than me, she only has 1 other client who has rehabbed squirrels and she feels strongly about him releasing his as well. I would take Marvin to a more experienced vet for a better workup but my state does not allow you to keep squirrels and all of the vets I called said they would make me relinquish him if I brought him in for treatment. I would be willing to drive him to a neighbor state if needed but I just don't know anyone so I have relied mostly on emailing Henry's Pets before I was referred to this site. Have you seen the head tick before? Would you agree in your experience it is a neuro issue?

[Charley Chuckles]

Yes, she most definitely lacks experience with squirrels. The vet school she attended in our state has a wildlife rehab center, but she attended that probably 25 years ago and that was her minimal experience with squirrel care. Other than me, she only has 1 other client who has rehabbed squirrels and she feels strongly about him releasing his as well. I would take Marvin to a more experienced vet for a better workup but my state does not allow you to keep squirrels and all of the vets I called said they would make me relinquish him if I brought him in for treatment. I would be willing to drive him to a neighbor state if needed but I just don't know anyone so I have relied mostly on emailing Henry's Pets before I was referred to this site. Have you seen the head tick before? Would you agree in your experience it is a neuro issue?
Well that's a loaded question and I'm not qualified to give that kind of advice.
However if Marvin IMHO had any kind of head tilt/ unusual movement activity ... in other words"NOT ACTING LIKE AN OUTDOOR SQUIRREL" at his age I personally would not release.

[Karie]

Well that's a loaded question and I'm not qualified to give that kind of advice.
However if Marvin IMHO had any kind of head tilt/ unusual movement activity ... in other words"NOT ACTING LIKE AN OUTDOOR SQUIRREL" at his age I personally would not release.

Thank you for that advice. You said you had been bit before. I hate that I have some fear now. How did you keep your aggressive guys from charging at you? Any tips for calming? I am hoping that it passes, but in the meantime I am pretty leery of getting my eyeball gouged or something!

[Charley Chuckles]

Thank you for that advice. You said you had been bit before. I hate that I have some fear now. How did you keep your aggressive guys from charging at you? Any tips for calming? I am hoping that it passes, but in the meantime I am pretty leery of getting my eyeball gouged or something!

I think many of us hear have been bit more than once🤪
I have gloves I wear I'll put them up for you.
Best is let them come to you don't reach out do tuck your hands in under your arms. Try not to show fear speak calmly even though you want to do the crazy dance 🤣
Also I use CBD oil on a nut just a drop, it helps my seizure squirrel and will help calm any squirrel 👍

[sundoesshine]

Yep, what CC said. Gloves, hoodies are great if they're head climbers, some wear double pants. Also make sure he doesn't have any food or nuts stashed anywhere as his hormones may be telling him to defend those now. In case you hadn't read, new scents, shampoos, cleaners, bleach use etc can cause aggression so do a check to make sure it isn't something that simple. Mine wilded up overnight which is why I joined the board. If you search on "aggression" or sudden aggression, you'll find all sorts of stories and tricks.

Oh, and before mine really got rough, he did start playing much harder and bite pretty hard so I began wearing gloves. Those bites are different than real ones though, and it is hard not to be afraid once they've really bitten. Just remember not to take it personally, it's just hormones and he can't help it.

[Karie]

Yep, what CC said. Gloves, hoodies are great if they're head climbers, some wear double pants. Also make sure he doesn't have any food or nuts stashed anywhere as his hormones may be telling him to defend those now. In case you hadn't read, new scents, shampoos, cleaners, bleach use etc can cause aggression so do a check to make sure it isn't something that simple. Mine wilded up overnight which is why I joined the board. If you search on "aggression" or sudden aggression, you'll find all sorts of stories and tricks.

Oh, and before mine really got rough, he did start playing much harder and bite pretty hard so I began wearing gloves. Those bites are different than real ones though, and it is hard not to be afraid once they've really bitten. Just remember not to take it personally, it's just hormones and he can't help it.

Thank you so much you guys! I was seriously distraught. I thought I ruined everything by bringing in this baby. I was convinced I betrayed poor Marvin. I wasn't mad at him for biting me, he's a wild animal even though he's been raised as a prince!! But he did scare the snot outta me because I was worried next time might be an eye. He was so confused afterward and my reaction of fear most definitely did not help. I have gotten my wits about me though and we are building back trust. I will for sure be wearing gloves and hoodies though. I'll search aggression as you've suggested and I'm sure I'll find a ton of useful info. Are there any threads or lists of vets around the country who will treat squirrels? I would love to have a resource for that in case of emergency!
Have a great night.

[Karie]

I think many of us hear have been bit more than once🤪
I have gloves I wear I'll put them up for you.
Best is let them come to you don't reach out do tuck your hands in under your arms. Try not to show fear speak calmly even though you want to do the crazy dance 🤣
Also I use CBD oil on a nut just a drop, it helps my seizure squirrel and will help calm any squirrel 👍

This is so helpful CC! Thank you for the tips. I see now that I need to change some of our patterns.

[Charley Chuckles]

These are not bite proof but they help with nails 👍
G & F 58123-6 100% Kevlar 18-Inch Cut Resistant Knit Sleeve with Thumb Hole, Yellow, Sold by 6-piece pack https://a.co/d/98CuOh8

[Karie]

I think many of us hear have been bit more than once🤪
I have gloves I wear I'll put them up for you.
Best is let them come to you don't reach out do tuck your hands in under your arms. Try not to show fear speak calmly even though you want to do the crazy dance 🤣
Also I use CBD oil on a nut just a drop, it helps my seizure squirrel and will help calm any squirrel 👍

Hi CC,
I went to the marijuana store yesterday and they were all out of the animal CBD that I usually buy my seizure dog. But they gave me one that was similar in makeup but not specifically for pets. It does have a teeny bit of actual THC in it though. A very little bit, but I was wondering if the one you use does as well? Also, I noticed this morning that Marvins testicles are almost completely sucked up into his body. They are usually abnormally large for the size of his body, but today they are almost nonexistent. Is that something that happens generally in relation to their hormonal changes? I am going to do an info search on here to see if anyone has every written about it, but thought I'd ask you as well.

Thank you!

[Cami]

Baby has turned aggressive and He won’t even come out of cage. He charges and tries to scratch. He chirps a lot to. I am not sure what spiked this behaviour overnight. I hate the idea of releasing him. He has been so sweet until 2 days ago. I can’t even get to open the door for him to come out of cage any ideas on how to calm him. He is about 6/7 months old.