Hello,
I've had my darling Hammy for 3 years. She was discovered by my cat then rescued by me. I know it isn't recommended but she lived a good life. I received my rabies shot the same week I got her enclosure. Years later she's my sweethearted Hammy whose been through the ringer but she survived it all. Unfortunately, I had her outside in her usual hutch to enjoy the spring, it was almost dusk, going back and forth between the basement and house before I realized, she was gone. If she was a normal squirrel I would just stiffen my upper lip and pray she's safe, but she isn't. I believe she suffered from inner ear damage because she had terrible balance and seemed to have no sense of direction, she's been with me through a move and made friends with my cats. It's been two days and surely enough, I went scouting through a few neighbor's yards, they knew her and how she was, but alas she is still a squirrel. I can't help but wait for her because I worry. I'll be moving in a few days so the though of her returning when no one is here is just awful. I checked my cats for scratches or blood and they all seemed confused as me. I also walked around and dreaded checking the streets but didn't see anything, even if she didn't make it, i'd bring her home for a burial. She was truly my baby, I say was because she could be having the time of her life and i was preventing it. I've watched her get somewhat lost in the woods just behind my house and usually I can hear her running in circles, pausing and running again. I've been clicking and waiting and I don't hear a thing.. My room is quiet, no one jumps up to see me, and her cage stands as empty as I feel. With this post I hope to get peace of mind and maybe a better explanation on the aliment she had, and how it would effect her in the wild.