Baby squirrel biting blanket repeatedly & self mutilating front paws

[Squirrel Girl]

I have been rehabbing baby squirrels since 2011. Another rehabber just sent a video of what this little squirrel in her care is doing. He is just biting a blanket over and over and over not resting at all. When she picks him up he is biting on his front paws. I have seen self mutilating due to nerve damage but this is completely different. Have never seen anything quite like this. One person brought up rabies. Since it's almost impossible for a squirrel to even contract rabies I disagree. Anyone out there??? Help!!!

[Daisey007]

I have been rehabbing baby squirrels since 2011. Another rehabber just sent a video of what this little squirrel in her care is doing. He is just biting a blanket over and over and over not resting at all. When she picks him up he is biting on his front paws. I have seen self mutilating due to nerve damage but this is completely different. Have never seen anything quite like this. One person brought up rabies. Since it's almost impossible for a squirrel to even contract rabies I disagree. Anyone out there??? Help!!!

Not Rabies! Hungry?

Got pictures or video?

[Nancy in New York]

It sounds like this could be associated with pain.
What's his age, and when does he stop biting....while eating/resting?
How long has she had him?
Is there a history on this little one?

[Squirrel Girl]

I have a video - don't know how to post it though!

[Nancy in New York]

I have a video - don't know how to post it though!

You can email it to me and I will see if I can post it.

Put squirrel in the subject line.

[Spanky]

Here is the video of the little guy:

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you Spanky so much for posting this, I was having one heck of a problem.
I have never seen that either.
Clearly there are neuro issues.
How long has she had this squirrel, and what's the history.
His little eyes seem so large, like he's afraid.
Poor little angel.

[Daisey007]

Thank you Spanky so much for posting this, I was having one heck of a problem.
I have never seen that either.
Clearly there are neuro issues.
How long has she had this squirrel, and what's the history.
His little eyes seem so large, like he's afraid.
Poor little angel.

Oh my, that's so sad! He almost seems angry... and perhaps in pain too. What if he's gently wrapped where he can't bite his hands and put into a very dimly lit room, will he sleep?

[Shewhosweptforest]

I agree with Nancy....I'd say he has neuro issues...and because of that he's confused....most likely in pain....or just extreme anxiety because he's confused so do you have anything you can give him for pain? He looks rough...his fur is very spikey.....almost like he just had a bath....poor lil bub is in extreme distress

[lilidukes]

Nerve damage to the shoulders or neck
area would cause baby to do this.

Was this baby cat caught around the neck????

[stosh2010]

Just guessing...but if the baby fell (eg. from a nest) and injured his jaw or teeth, maybe he would bite things like he was teething ????

[Nancy in New York]

He looks rough...his fur is very spikey.....almost like he just had a bath....poor lil bub is in extreme distress

Exactly, he does look very spikey.
Can you give some history on this little one?
How he came to you, his diet, how long you've had him,
and if you have a vet that knows squirrels?
Thank you for helping him, he's a tiny little one, cute
as can be.

[Mommaluvy]

My opinion is Head trauma .

I have seen this once in an eyes closed baby.. She bit anything she could get till the swelling went down. Me, nipple, blanket, siblings ... I was just mentioning her in another thread. She fell 50 ft onto a dead sibling... So we knew it was not likely rabies.

As far as rabies.. Anything is possible but it's not probabal. UNLESS you are in an area where there is epidemic. If your up in Penn.. And she drops dead then I would have her tested but if she has not bitten a human then I would not euth to test her. If she has not been attacked by a critter then I would not consider it much at all.

For instance in my state ( Ohio) we would not even quarentine her unless she came from one of the 12 counties bordering Penn. we have had only one chipmunk and like 2 squirrels that had rabies since testing started . They usually don't survive the bite.

How is her appetite?

All that said., I would worry more about head trauma than rabies.

[Squirrel Girl]

I sent an update video he is doing better today- on Metcam for pain.

[Mommaluvy]

I sent an update video he is doing better today- on Metcam for pain.

I have not see it he video t but that's what I treated my girl with. Took her 3 days to stop having seizures and biting her paws and me and everything else. Yeah ! Good job

[Spanky]

Another video of this little one.. I am sorry it took all day, I am having Internet connection issues...

[ALittleNutty]

Poor baby. I don't know what's going on with this little one. Personally I would put him in a larger container with a lot more fleece to hide in and cover the container so he doesn't feel as exposed.

Is there an injury on his left flank just in front of his hip? I noticed it around the 8 second mark on the video. It may just be his fur sticking up. It looks like a dark circle.

[Nancy in New York]

Poor baby. I don't know what's going on with this little one. Personally I would put him in a larger container with a lot more fleece to hide in and cover the container so he doesn't feel as exposed.

Is there an injury on his left flank just in front of his hip? I noticed it around the 8 second mark on the video. It may just be his fur sticking up. It looks like a dark circle.

Oh definitely a BIGGER container. Poor little bub needs room to stretch those legs,
and toys, and fleece, and and and........

Thank you again Spanky for posting this. For some reason, I can't open these OR save them.

[UDoWhat]

What is this baby's story?? What condition was he in when you got him?? I have to say he looks emaciated, hungry and dehydrated. He is starving. How much and how often is he eating. What formula is he on?? He still needs to be on formula and starting block. How much does he weigh? He looks so tiny to be eyes opened.

Rehabbers please take another look. I am not thinking neuro?? IMO this baby is so hungry and needs formula. He needs to be in a wire cage not a plastic bin. He needs a stuffie and more fleece. Even a hammock. Something to chew on like some block and a water source. I am guessing this baby is 6 weeks old at least and looks more like a 4 week old weight, maybe, if that. If this baby is fed properly I believe he will settle down and you will see a big difference in his behavior. Poor little thing.

[Nancy in New York]

What is this baby's story?? What condition was he in when you got him?? I have to say he looks emaciated, hungry and dehydrated. He is starving. How much and how often is he eating. What formula is he on?? He still needs to be on formula and starting block. How much does he weigh? He looks so tiny to be eyes opened.

Rehabbers please take another look. I am not thinking neuro?? IMO this baby is so hungry and needs formula. He needs to be in a wire cage not a plastic bin. He needs a stuffie and more fleece. Even a hammock. Something to chew on like some block and a water source. I am guessing this baby is 6 weeks old at least and looks more like a 4 week old weight, maybe, if that. If this baby is fed properly I believe he will settle down and you will see a big difference in his behavior. Poor little thing.

I couldn't agree more.
I can't even go back and watch the video again, because I just want to cry.
This poor innocent little baby needs help.
We are here to help you, just let us know what you need
for this little one.
PLEASE let us help.