extreme mood change

[ella]

4

Hi every one my name is Pam. I have 2 fox squirrels, brothers, they are a big ,no huge part of my life. They have been great, until yesterday. My one boy, was fine yesterday, then in the afternoon, his mood changed, he wont let his brother near him, doesnt want any thing to do with me, wont come out of his bedroom. He was always lovable, giving me kisses and wanting to be with me all the time, I talked with Judy , I got some of the Bach Remedies ordered already today. I need to get him calmed down so i can take him to my vets. Any help or advice will help...Ty Pam

[pamela lee]

How old are they? How long have you had them?

[ella]

I have had them for 2 years, they are 2 now Pam

[pamela lee]

By the way:Welcome Do you think they may be maturing, I don't think adult male squirrels usually like to live close. They're usually very territorial. Have they been neutured, since they're pets?

[ella]

I am not sure of the maturing, they have always been together, this has never happened before. I do have a vet that is willing to neuter my flyers, didnt think of having my, foxes done. Has anyone ever had it done to their squirrels? TY Pam

[thundersquirrel]

they are reaching full sexual maturity, however the quickness of the change means you should at least get him checked for health.

if you sedate him, use the most gentle means necessary. if it's possible, don't sedate him at all- wrap him in a towel, covering his eyes, and grip his body with one hand holding back of the neck/shoulders, the other hand gripping his rump and theighs.

until he sees a professional, i think you should separate your boys. adult squirrels do get into physical fights in the wild, but they always have the option of running away. in captivity, a squabble could turn into a serious battle.

please keep us updated on what happens- behavioral problems are always learning opportunities, no matter how much one knows about squirrels. ;)

[Mrs. Jack]

I'm curious about their lighting/diet situation too. I read recently that an early often missed clue of the onset of mbd is in the behavior of a squirrel 'getting cranky or "wild"'.

[muffinsquirrel]

Hi Pam. Glad to see you made it on here :Welcome Hope the boys calm down some for you. I have had all my non-releasable tree squirrels neutered, and have had no problems with them. Of course, I had mine done as soon as they were old enough, since I knew they could never be released. Our big foxer just lays around like a cat....pretty close to the size of a cat, too!

No one on here knows me as Judy. Here I am known as..........

muffinsquirrel

[Byrd]

this isint relevant to the OP but i am curious if its wise to have girl squirrels fixed as well and at what age?

[Mrs. Jack]

I know that they recommend getting female pet rats fixed because they are prone to mammary cancer... I read about it when we got our mousie.

[GhosTS]

I second what Mrs.J said.Mood changes are an early sign of MDB..since you had them for 2 years, did u change anything in their diet recently.Did u do any changes in the room.

[ella]

Thank you for the warm welcome:thankyou . My grandsons found my Boyz, thats what I named them, they come running as soon as i say wheres my Boyz. They found them under a pile of leaves. i rescued them, and applied for a permitt to keep them, and I got it. They eat dark green lettuces,variety of squashs,tomatos,yogurt ,apples, grapes, oranges, raspberries,mango, nut and berry mix nut not a lot of this,
i give them this about once a month, hazel nuts, walnuts, pecans almonds, oatmeal,bananas. I have antlers,calcium blocks,salt and mineral wheels, i give them liquid supplement in their water, baby juice diluted, and plain water to drink. My husband built them a condo, its in my living room, it takes up most of my room, lol, dont have to worry bout buying furniture, i have folding chairs if i get company.
i did have a light i would put on them, but it was a regular lamp. I have searched the internet all night looking for a FSL. there are so many i am not sure which one to get, they are pricey but that doesnt matter, i just am not sure which one to get. I believe i have been doing everything right, thats why his mood change has me confused. His brother is fine.
if there is a certain kind of lamp i need could someone lead in the right direction on which i should have Ty ...Pam

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

I noticed a difference in Bean when I was giving him Acorns..a little more aggresive..Sparky mentioned to me..that HIS did the same..when they got acrons....I stopped giving them to him..and he's not acting like that any more..there must be some thing in them(drug like for squirrels) that made him a little more rough...mind altering..cwazy squirrel...I called him...
NOW he's good...but I also...heard what every one else was saying they maybe maturing...I plan on getting mine NUETERED when he's around 2...Country side VETs..by me..does it..so, Ive heard...
I hope this is helpful....
Rachel..................:thumbsup
Oh..and he also..it under the fsl...he loves it ...

[ella]

Ty, Gammas Baby:thankyou . Is there a certain wattage i need to get....Pam

[ella]

Is that the new bulbs that look spiral? I have a lot of those we are switching to them thru out our house? I read the package but it doesnt say full spectum on it. Would these be the ones i need ..Ty Pam

[pamela lee]

Is that the new bulbs that look spiral? I have a lot of those we are switching to them thru out our house? I read the package but it doesnt say full spectum on it. Would these be the ones i need ..Ty Pam
They do look like those but they will say right on them Full Spectrum Light.

[muffinsquirrel]

I got mine at Lowes. Boy! Lowes sure does carry a lot of light bulbs that you have to look through to find what you want! I have seen them at Walmart - light fixture, bulb and all, and also at Big Lots.

muffinsquirrel

[ella]

I bought a light today that is called a Daylight bulb , till i can get an FSL. I live in a very small town, so i will be making a trip to home depot and walmarts tomorrow morning, i have to travel a distance to get there. I posted on the foods and any thing else that i have for them, does it look like i am feeding them ok ? Thank you all for the help that I got so fast. He seemed in a better mood today, he did come jump on me to give me some loving:) .

[4skwerlz]

Another clue to help you find the FSL: they will be in "odd" wattage amounts, like 27 watts or 15 watts, instead of the usual 25, 40, 60, 75, etc. Then look for "full spectrum" on the package.

But to be absolutely sure you're getting FSL: to be a full spectrum bulb, the color temperature must be 5000K or greater, and the CRI (color rendering index) must be at least 90. You should be able to find the color temp and the CRI listed on the package somewhere.

All you squirrel moms might want to double-check your bulbs.