Ut Oh... what is this?

[hawkinz]

I am getting close to letting my lil squirrel back into the woods, but it seems she has developed some sort of rash over the last few days. I am not sure if it is mites or what. It definitely itches because she is scratching like the dickens (whatever dickens are). Anyway, it appears the rash so far is isolated to her tiny squirrel armpits, but I notice her skin looks similar under her fur on her back legs too.

Ideas? Solutions?

Thanks a bunch!

Travis

[pappy1264]

I am sort of dealing with the same issue (although Peanut only has the fur loss, the the dry skin/cuts), but I think it is mites. I got Revolution and just put a drop on him today. You have to get it from a vet. I am sure others will chime in.

[island rehabber]

If you look VERy closely you will see tiny red bugs if it is mites. BE CAREFUL...they can get on us too and cause a nasty rash. Revolution is excellent for this; also ivermectin and (I think) Capstar. For starters you can use Dawn dishwashing liquid in warm water and wipe her down with it....this is often enough to kill mites but you may have to do it repeatedly.

[Skul]

I'm guessing mites, too.
Revolution will help.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Is it a really bad year for mites, or is perhaps something else going on? I too have a squirrel with the same issue, also a foxer. I gave mine Ivermectin 2 days ago, hopefully it will clear up quick.

[pappy1264]

Aren't there mites that live UNDER the skin, that during stress, or illness, they can overgrow and cause issues? Peanut has fur loss in his 'armpits and groin' where the legs and body touch. There are no red dots, just fur loss (also has it as base of his tail on the bottom). He does scratch, but not crazy scratching. I used Revolution today, and hopefully that will clear his up, but it doesn't look like this one. Does your foxer look this way, S&B2?

[redwuff]

Pappy, I can answer the mites question for dogs, don't know if it transfers to squirrels. Demodex mites live in the hair shaft of the animal and the animals immune system keeps it in control. During times of stress the mites over take the body and multiply. They DO NOT itch. The animal loses it's hair cos the overgrowth of mites in the hair shaft causes it to break. Again, this is not an itch producing mite.

Now Sarcoptic mange is a different story. It is a mite that tunnels under the skin, layes its eggs, and goes to have a party. It itches like crazy. seems that different species has its own 'mite'. Humans can be bitten by the sarcoptic mange, we will itch, but it will die, and in a few weeks, we return to normal.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Yes, my foxers arms look this way and I gave ivermectin, now the other one is getting it too :shakehead. Mine also have crusty ears. Pretty sure it's demodectic mange. Got my ivermectin from the wildlife center and they had already added the propylene glycol to it, but didn't say how much. I played it safe and only gave him a small amount, but maybe I didn't give enough, gonna try to get some from my vet tomorrow. I wish chris still sold small vials of it, I am not paying for 50 mL when I only need 1, not even really. Last year my vet gave me some free, so I'll try to get some again this year.