OhSquirrels
01-28-2012, 04:26 PM
This past LATE August I took in an orphaned baby gray squirrel (a late brood!) with the intention of weaning, and then releasing her. After talking with a squirrel rehabber in town, she thought it best not to release her so close to winter, and I agreed and so am keeping her overwinter and will then give her a "soft release" in my yard in the spring (keeping her open cage on the deck and stocked with food for awhile). She had lots of quality time outside on the deck this fall.
My problem is a few weeks ago, she started losing hair on her shoulders (more on one side than the other). She is only losing her longer, tri-colored guard hairs, not her softer underfur. I have included a photo. I believe her diet is varied enough---she eats almonds, walnuts, broccoli, zucchini, acorns, grapes, tomato, and apple slices. She will occasionally nibble on her rodent blocks. She has a shed antler which she does chew on daily. Other than this hair loss, the rest of her coat and tail seem fine and she is full of energy.
Could the loss be from dry skin or rubbing while sleeping (I guess she probably sleeps in her "nest" more often than the average wild squirrel)? She will occasionally scratch these areas, but not incessantly.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be a big help!
My problem is a few weeks ago, she started losing hair on her shoulders (more on one side than the other). She is only losing her longer, tri-colored guard hairs, not her softer underfur. I have included a photo. I believe her diet is varied enough---she eats almonds, walnuts, broccoli, zucchini, acorns, grapes, tomato, and apple slices. She will occasionally nibble on her rodent blocks. She has a shed antler which she does chew on daily. Other than this hair loss, the rest of her coat and tail seem fine and she is full of energy.
Could the loss be from dry skin or rubbing while sleeping (I guess she probably sleeps in her "nest" more often than the average wild squirrel)? She will occasionally scratch these areas, but not incessantly.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be a big help!