hello again

this is about muchi… again

i’m 99% sure muchi is pregnant because she was here while she was in heat and the male squirrels were going bonkers. i also know she’s an older squirrel who has had plenty of babies. she’s a dominant female. last season she had babies and her stomach never really “snapped” back but when i posted about it we agreed that it’s just because she’s an older squirrel.

today she came by looking miserable. i’ve got photos below. her eye looks puffy and swollen and her stomach is sagging way more than i’ve ever seen it. i almost thought her stomach was some low hanging testicles.

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sorry the stomach picture is bad but you can see it through her legs. it’s never looked like that so i immediately got concerned.

some other details that may or may not be related —

1. she’s been scratching her sides like crazy. when squirrels’ nipples come in, does it get itchy? or is she just shedding? last season she had fleas while she was pregnant so this time we gave her the correct dose of revolution right away. she’s still scratching so i don’t think it’s bugs.

2. she doesn’t stay long anymore. this is the same as the last season she was pregnant though, so it could be that. our balcony is definitely her territory. she protects it very fiercely. i think she’s also moved back in to her old nest from last season because she’s been heading up there with new fluff and nesting materials.

3. her eye looks puffy and red. she might’ve just gotten poked in the eye but i still got concerned. she’s missing some small patches of fur but it doesn’t look parasite related so i assumed it was from fights with other squirrels. just like last season, she’s very grumpy and easily agitated by the other squirrels.

4. like i mentioned above, my biggest concern is her stomach. did she lose the babies? is she losing weight rapidly? i only saw the right side of her today so i don’t know if there’s an injury on the left side that i couldn’t see. like maybe there’s a gash?

i’m so worried, i wish she had stayed longer. she only came down to eat some avocado and an almond and then she left. she didn’t even really look at me which was definitely strange — she usually at least waits for a nut in shell. she also didn’t drink any water.

i’m so so so worried. i wish i could watch over her 24/7. if there’s anything i can do to help her, please let me know!!!! if she comes down again i’ll try to get video.

i appreciate your experience and thoughts so much, i can’t even begin to describe it <3