Need some opinions/advice about possible ailment

[Tantoo]

Hi everyone. As you can see I just joined the board. Nice to meet you all.

So one day last Summer I bought some bird seed at a store that was going out of business. It was actually those boxes of budgie seed...$0.25 each. I figured I could put it out for some birds in the yard. To make a long story short, I now have a wildlife sanctuary in my back yard. I have blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, a bunny, 3 hawks (which like to survey the yard for dinner but I've outwitted them and all my animals are very safe)...and of course, squirrels. 8 of them...all "regulars" who stop by for peanuts, sunflower seeds and corn.

I've been a vet assistant for around 8 years so needless to say I love animals. I've got so many photos and movies of small, furry/feathered animals I've lost count. But I've noticed something odd with one squirrel, of whom I've attached a photo. It's the weirdest thing I've ever seen. As a VA there are a few things I've been thinking are going on but I can't really pinpoint it to be honest so here I am. This little guy looks like he's wearing fur pants and nothing on top! What could this be? And, if it's something that's possibly treatable, would it make sense for me to trap him (I have a Hav-A-Hart trap) and nurse him back to health? Thank you in advance for any/all advice.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123

Usually with mange, you will see scabs on the ears , flakey and scaley face.
However it does look like something is going on, odd time for molt.:dono
He is so pretty, love the coloring!
Welcome to TSB and we love pics...we love birds too!:thumbsup

[Loopy Squirrel]

Yeah, I though the same thing as Jackie. I don't see crusties. It looks as though the squirrel does still have some fur there, just thin. ???

[Tantoo]

Hi, thanks for responding and for the welcome!

Yes, mange came to mind but would it not be all over his body and not just on the top? He's got a rip in the top part of his ear, but he doesn't seem to be in any distress. He doesn't act weird or aggressive and eats well. I leave shelled, dry-roasted peanuts, sunflower seeds, corn cobs, and water out for the squirrels (good way to keep them out of the birds' food, too) and they're gone in a snap. I've seen a few of the others with perhaps a bit of fur missing...like, under their arms, but none who look like they're wearing furry pants. He's definitely not crusty or bleeding...no pox or other apparent wounds except his torn ear. Could it be possible he had a run-in with another animal?

BTW, since you said you like photos I'll upload some really soon. All "my" animals have names, too...hehe. I figured that if meteorologists can keep track of hurricanes by naming them, I could do the same with my little woodland friends. :)

[Tomo]

Looks like he's lost his guard hair. It could be a nutrient deficiency, He could be rubbing his upper body to get into his drey, but I wouldn't rule out mange.

[skye]

Hello there and:Welcome Hope to see more pics of your yard buddies and good luck with them.

[squirrelfriend]

I live in the Toronto area. This is a common shedding patern for squirrels here. IF there are any scabby, red, crusty or very irritated looking areas then it might be mange. If the skin underneath looks smooth and pale then it is their shedding pattern. All the squirrels here go through this pattern of shedding. I call it their puffy pants. It is getting near that time here. Some just shed earlier than others. Some do more obviously than others as well.

There are other illnesses that can resemble this but not exactly. Kitten fur syndrome is one but that is a sunlight defficiency which wouldn't aply to this guy. that one is more along the whole back. Outdoor shedding patterns tend to more have a line that cuts off at the waist as does yours.

Mange usually starts around the eyes and ears though it can start elsewhere. You will see very unhealthy looking skin under what fur is left. The skin can be very scabby and crusty perhaps inflamed in others. Ears and eyes often get swollen due to the scratching.

Just keep an eye on it and try to get a look at the underlying skin if you can. If at anytime that you notice that it is weak or acting ill then catch it and take him in.

[Sciurus1]

It would be advisable to check out our listing for a healthy squirrel diet, even so this is not a matter of a pet, what you feed wilds can impact their health too.

Great shots by the way! Check out my thread in Breed under Melanistic Eastern Gray Squirrels, and feel free to post any photos you have of 'Black Morphs', you have caught on film.