Originally Posted by
CritterMom
As mentioned, I would try to get some of the povidone iodine, and let us know what the percentage is - what I showed you is 10% but I have seen other dilutions available.
The cage is not a bad size, but there is almost nothing in there for enrichment - nothing to play with, nothing to hide in. And getting out for such a short period of time each day isn't going to provide much. It is very possible that this is being caused by boredom and frustration.
Put a couple shelves in the top part of the cage so she can sit up there. Attach a cardboard box to the wires so it does not fall off one of the shelves, cut a small hole in the front and throw a bunch of paper towels or pieces of toilet tissue in the cage so she can carry it up and stuff it in the box to make a "den." Give her some toys. In the US we use children's stuffed animals but if you do not have those available you can improvise. Cut a medium sized piece of fabric in a square, stuff it with other pieces of fabric then draw the corners together and tie the top off so you have a little ball. A favorite toy I once mad was an old pillowcase that I stuffed and tied off, then hung from the top of the cage from a heavy rope so it hung just above the bottom of the cage. It was jumped on, swung on, the squirrel would lay on his back under it and wrestle with it. Things that are hung from the cagetop like that are a lot of fun. Put a big pile of blankets on the bottom or on one of the shelves that can be burrowed under. Hang things around the cage wire so she can peep out at you but feel hidden. This is how they live in the wild - in tree and bush cover, peeking out. Cut branches of SAFE trees and bushes and bring them in for her. Find out the name of each tree, then in a search engine, enter the tree name and "toxicity" and make sure it is not poisonous in any way. Also, make sure that the cloth you use for toys and enrichment does not have loops like terry cloth towels or big open weave that her nails can be caught in. Instead of a big, wide open cage, you want a cage that is packed with stuff for her to play on, play with, hide in, chew up, and peek out of, so she isn't so bored she begins to chew on herself.
Can you allow her out to interact with you more frequently? It doesn't have to be outside. Maybe you have a lace in the house where you can just let her run and play while you watch to make sure she doesn't get into trouble? It can be quite entertaining for BOTH of you.
I am including two of my cages. The first is for my gray squirrel. The second is for little flying squirrel - the doors are completely opened so you can see inside better.