Larger Photo of Sandy in Lake Arrowhead

[lmcdaniel33]

I think the pictures of Sandy and the other sick squirrel are larger now, however they do not look very clear unfortuneately. Any insight into Sandy's condition would be appreciated. Is thick rolled looking skin and eyes that look sick and almost shut a sign of the mange illness??

Thanks to all.

Laurie

[Pointy Tale]

Hmm, I am not sure if it could be mange or not, hard to tell from the photo. I am sure a rehabber would have better advice for you. Hang tight, someone should be here soon to help.

[Pointy Tale]

Laurie, I posted links to your thread in Life Threatening to have the help of experts, it is titled: Possible Mange Threads in Non Life Threatening Help Needed (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=422847#post422847). I do not link very well, so if it does not work, please just go to that section.

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://www.michigan.gov/images/0_99_7.gif Mange



( Sarcoptic & Notoedric)
http://www.michigan.gov/images/mange_19693_7.jpg




Description and Distribution
Mange is a skin disease of mammals caused by a tissue-burrowing arthropod, the mange mite. A variety of mange mites exist; the ones most often identified as the cause of mange in wildlife are Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres douglasii. The mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but skin changes brought on by infestation can be dramatic. The skin diseases caused by these species of mites are sarcoptic and notoedric mange.
Sarcoptic mange has been reported in a wide range of mammals nationwide including red fox, coyote, gray wolf, porcupine, black bear and cottontail rabbit. Notoedric mange has been reported in North America in the eastern fox squirrel and the gray squirrel
There is some question as to the specificity of the mites causing mange on the various species of wildlife. Some parasitologists believe the mite is specific for the host on which it is found. Other parasitologists challenge this belief because there are records of transfer from fox to wolf and dog, rabbit to monkey, goat to man, dog to man, etc. It appears that sarcoptic mange mites are less host-specific than originally believed, but that notoedric mange mites are host specific for squirrels.
Transmission and Development
Notoedric mange mites spread to new hosts through direct body contact or by transfer from common nests and burrows. Stages in the life cycle include the egg, larva, 2 nymphs and the adult. The parasite lives and burrows in the skin layers. Fertilized females deposit eggs as they tunnel through the skin, and the eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days. Males complete their development in 13 to 16 days, females in 18 to 23 days. Fertilization apparently takes place when the female is in its final stage of development
Notoedric mites are not transmissible to humans.
http://www.dickbrewer.org/PageMill_Resources/fxsq/mange2.jpgClinical Signs
Notoedric mange results in hair loss, first over the chest and shoulders, but progressing over the entire body. In extreme cases nearly the entire body is bare and the exposed skin becomes thickened and dark. There is no crust formation on the skin of the squirrels.
Pathology
Notoedric mange is a serious disease of squirrels, especially during the winter. Large areas of the body or the entire body becomes denuded of hair and the animal may die from exposure because of the loss of their insulating layer of fur. Spontaneous recovery with full restoration of the hair coat is frequently observed in squirrels.
Treatment and Control
Notoedric mange is effectively controlled through application of any one of a variety of acaricidal compounds. Obviously, such treatment is not feasible for wild free-ranging mammals unless a special opportunity exists, as with semi-tame squirrels common in urban areas. Under these circumstances it should be possible to dust accessible nests and dens with acaricidal powder. In the case of squirrels coming to feeders, it should be possible to devise a method for dusting them with a powder as they feed, or as they travel to and from a feeder.
Elimination of mangy animals to reduce opportunities for transmission of the parasite is sometimes suggested, but the effectiveness of this procedure is questionable because the parasite is likely widespread before infestations become obvious.
Significance
Mange appears to be a contributing factor, if not a primary one, in squirrel mortalities in cold weather.http://www.dickbrewer.org/PageMill_Resources/fxsq/mange1.jpg

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9281

[lmcdaniel33]

Jackie:

Thank you for the information. I have seen these pictures before, and yes this is what my squirrels look like. I have dosed several of them with Ivermectin in the last few days, and am hoping to see results soon. It is so sad to watch. I am trying to help as many as I can. It is a real problem here in our community.

Thank you so much for your help and the good information. Do you know of any kind of medication that you can put on the fur? I know with certain flea medications you just put a drop on an animal's back once a month??

Thanks for caring and I will keep you posted.

Laurie

[Jackie in Tampa]

Oh geez, I would be afraid to add anything after you have treated them with Ivermectin. It is a strong medication.
Adams Flea and Tick spray is sq friendly and can be misted on them and sprayed in nest boxes and around bedding and on carpet etc.
I strongly urge you to ask a vet before mixing any pesticides on them.
Advantage or Revolution can be administered topically to sqs for mite infestation. This is a safe method according to one of my vets.
However, since you have already dosed with Ivermectin...:dono

I can't give any advise:dono I will say that mange is created by stress...most wilds are born with the parasite and stress related issues cause outbreaks.
So to build their inmmune system is THE BEST POSSIBLE CHOICE AT THIS TIME...imo!
Meaning...good healthy food and fesh clean water...sunflower seeds cause stress issues, they are high in phosphorus and reduce healthy needed calcium and bring on the antsy jitters! jmo.
You can put green tea in the drinking water, anything that will pump them up healthy...
If dogs and hawks are an issue that too can cause stress...the environment...nesting materials, food availability, drought...all these things can be key.
Make them as happy as possible, buy them the best food you can afford...they love avacodos, fresh corn once a week, blueberries...pecans and walnuts etc..NO RAW PEANUTS! bad on their tummys, roasted are ok in moderation, I give alot of peanuts...eek...but also hazelnuts and veggies! I have fat spoiled sqs!:thumbsup

Ok that's all I got...hope it helps a little!
:poke Maybe some one else has some ideas or better knowledge!
Good Luck...remember you have to be able to apply Revolution topically between the shoulder blades...not orally! NoT in their eyes!*eek*
Have you given the ivermectin enough time? and did you know that you are to dose a second treatment?
OK...:D sorry so long...
:wave123

[lmcdaniel33]

Jackie:

Thank you for all the good advice. I so appreciate everyone's advice. I dosed my squirrel Sandy last Friday, Although she doesn't look any worse, she is still scratching horribly! Poor girl. I put one drop of Ivermectin on and almond last Friday and she ate it. Should she not be scratiching by this time in your experience?? I plan to give her a second dose next Friday, which will be two weeks.

My squirrels should not be under much stress. There is always plenty of fresh water and food out for them year round. There are not dogs loose, some coyotes around in the forest, but not near the houses here. I buy this real expensive mix of food from my local bird store called Wildbirds Forever. They have a website too if you want to check them out. There mix has almonds and dried fruit among other things. I think it is pretty healthy.

Let me know if you think it has just not been long enough after dosing for a marked improvement. The good thing is she doesn't look any worse like some of the others in my yard.

Take care and thanks again to all for your support. It is great to know that there are other people out there that love their squirrels as much as I do!!!

Laurie

[Pointy Tale]

Hi Laurie—just was following up on this thread, like your other thread, Jackie and Bravo replied in your other thread, Sandy the Squirrel in Lake Arrowhead (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18265).

About the food that you are providing them, please look at the Nutrition Section (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191), there is wonderful advice about what you can give to your squirrels, whether pets or even wilds.

I would look at either the Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16093) to give you an idea about what they should and should not be eating. I would also look at threads, Wild Bites (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17678) and if you’re handy in the kitchen Squirrel Block Recipe: Revised 12/08 (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14963). If you’re not handy in the kitchen you can always buy Henry's Healthy Blocks (http://healthyblocks.com/index.html).

I think the mange takes a bit a time, but you can also help them by making sure they have access to healthy foods and fresh clean water, as you said.

I am not the best linker, so if my links do not work, just go to the Nutrition Section, all of the information you need is right there.

All the best,