Mites on Chipmunk! Please help!

[Dinroller]

My son found, about a month ago, a chipmunk crawling around in our garage. He is paralyzed from the "waist" down. We have been nursing him back to health and I've been doing range of motion exercises on his back legs and tail. Surprisingly, he has started to move his legs and tail some. Now, however, he is losing his fur in big patches. He is covered with tiny red mites. Are the mites related to the fur falling out, or are they always there? The fur comes out in clumps, with a white, scabby-like bottom. The skin underneath is pure white and not red or irritated. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated! I don't want him to suffer.

[SammysMom]

I don't know about a chipmunk but I used Revolution on a baby squirrel and I think it worked in minutes. Hair started growing back almost immediately. Wait for a chipmunk expert to respond here though. The experts here are amazing!

[Dinroller]

Did your baby squirrel have the tiny red mites all over?

[Marci]

Look at posts by chiptastics. her siberians had mites and she had to take them to a vet. if it is not on this website, try the petsquirrelboard.com

Marci Rothstein

[Dinroller]

Was your squirrel covered in little red mites?

[SammysMom]

Couldn't see mites but I am pretty sure they were some sort of mites. He was so itchy! It was driving him crazy!

[Dinroller]

How did you know it he was itchy? My chipmunk doesn't dig or scratch at all, and the skin underneath where the fur falls out isn't irritated! I don't know what to do. :/

[Chipmunk_lover]

In the U.K. you can buy spot-on treatments specially for small animals like Rats ect, they are like cat spot on, you squeeze it on the back of the neck
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/anti-parasite-spot-on-for-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-by-beaphar-15792 - this is UK Pets at Home.

Found this in Petsmart which i think is in America

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752081

it doesn't mention mites though.



Don't know what else you could use in the U.S .cat and dog treatments would be too strong for such a small animal i'd think but i have read about some treatments like revolution used on Squirrels but i'd be very careful as he is so small. Red mites not sure what those are, might be a different mite to we get here.

Well done for rescuing him, so good to here he is starting to regain some movement in his legs. Chippies are great.

[Dinroller]

He is a cutie. He's bitten me a couple of times, but he's settling down a lot. I'm sure it was because he was scared. He eats peanut butter and fruit, and I give him water with a medicine dropper. I don't know what I'll do if he goes completely bald. :/ I will look into those links. He is growing, but he's still just a little guy.

[SammysMom]

I think that Revolution is pretty broad spectrum. My squirrel was itching and twitching while also losing his hair in patches.

[Dinroller]

The petsathome site looked great, but it only delivers to the U.K. and Ireland. :(

[mugzeezma]

The petsathome site looked great, but it only delivers to the U.K. and Ireland. :(
If you have any dogs or cats get Revolution (selamectin) it is a spot on topical and is excellent for mange mites. Put a drop between neck and shoulder blades. Are you near East side of Cleveland?

[Dinroller]

We live in Mansfield, which is about halfway between Columbus and Cleveland.

[mugzeezma]

Would you be interested in taking this baby to a wildlife rehabber if I can find one?
If you have a vet you can treat with Revolution.

[mugzeezma]

If you need someone close by check out this site:

http://wildliferehabinfo.org/index.htm

http://wildlifehaven.tripod.com/

You may be able to find an independent rehabber that would help you and not euthanize this little one.
My concern here is that this youngster has a whole lot more than mange mites to contend with and you may at some point need antibiotics. There more contacts you have the better.

http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/index.php

[Dinroller]

Hi! Yes, I am worried about him so would be okay releasing him to a rescuer. However, I called Wildlife Haven and Gorman Nature Center. Both places refused to take him because of his paralysis (they didn't think he had a good prognosis for rehab and release).

[Chipmunk_lover]

Hi! Yes, I am worried about him so would be okay releasing him to a rescuer. However, I called Wildlife Haven and Gorman Nature Center. Both places refused to take him because of his paralysis (they didn't think he had a good prognosis for rehab and release).


Thats what i'd be afraid of that a wildlife place would put him down, that would be such ashame because he has made good progress. But maybe someone on this board who rehabs Squirrels might be able to take him as they would def give him a chance and not just put him to sleep.

Good luck with whatever you decide, hope he gets better soon.

[mugzeezma]

Hi! Yes, I am worried about him so would be okay releasing him to a rescuer. However, I called Wildlife Haven and Gorman Nature Center. Both places refused to take him because of his paralysis (they didn't think he had a good prognosis for rehab and release).
I was hoping that they might connect you with someone close by that could help you make this fellow comfortable.

GET THE REVOLUTION!

[Chipmunk_lover]

I found this in one of my Chippie books

Mites cause an untidy, irregular coat. Dandruff can form on parts of skin without hair. Mites can also cause eczema. They feed on the animal's skin discharge (scabs, ect). Mites can seriously weaken young Chipmunks in particular. Red mites are a secretive infestation. They look like tiny white spiders. When they have filled up, they become red. Red mites are extremely contagious(it doesn't say whether to other animals or humans or both)
Ask your vet for a preparation to fight them. Tobacco sticks in the cage and nesting logs reduce the risk of red mites significantly. This is of course for pet Chips.

[Dinroller]

I don't mean to be dumb, but what are tobacco sticks and nesting logs?

[Chipmunk_lover]

I don't mean to be dumb, but what are tobacco sticks and nesting logs?

I don't know, theres no explanation in the book what they are. I've never heard of them :dono

[Dinroller]

My husband got Revolution at the vet 5 days ago. I placed a drop between the chipmunk's shoulder blades. Within a day, the mites were completely gone and his fur is starting to grow back in! Thanks, squirrel board members!:thumbsup

[mugzeezma]

My husband got Revolution at the vet 5 days ago. I placed a drop between the chipmunk's shoulder blades. Within a day, the mites were completely gone and his fur is starting to grow back in! Thanks, squirrel board members!:thumbsup
Good work!
how's the little fellow doing otherwise? Is he still off in back?