what's wrong with this squirrel? (picture)

[johnrambo007]

Photographed it 3 days ago in a park. Strange.... it has the same pattern seen in Chinese Crested dogs.


http://postimage.org/image/69ajrx6mt/

[johnrambo007]

sorry here is the picture
http://s18.postimage.org/4u8z375jt/IMAG0118.jpg

[Scooterzmom]

Ohhh my... poor poor little guy. It seems quite a few of them in the US have shown up that way but this is the 1st I see from Canada. What area of Canada are you in? Have you seen him again? Seen the mom anywhere around? This looks to be a young squirrel and chances are he may still be hanging around not far from his mom.

I'll try and send a PM to another member who had a baby squee completely bald.

Maybe you want to repost this with a title like: YOUNG SqUIRREL MOSTLY BALD ... so people can quickly catch the problem and come see.

[MiriamS]

Wow! Can mange present itself like this, without affecting the face, feet and tail? :thinking

It will never survive without fur but it's young enough that you might be able to capture it for treatment.

[astra]

where in canada are you? are you anywhere near Toronto or montreal? if yes, which park is it?

[jo_schmoe]

That does not look like mange to me.
Its genetic. Lots of different reasons....
Capturing the squirrel at this stage ( he looks otherwise very healthy) would probably do more stress than good.
If you can keep an eye on him....as his immune system could be compromised.
Just for the sake of knowing....where in Canada are you....Im about 2 hrs from the Manitoba North Dakota border.....I also had a little guy come in that was bald....seems to be happening up North here frequently as of late.

[Nancy in New York]

See....we never really knew how Flash would live on, we just knew he would. :grouphug

[astra]

Yes, it does not look like mange.

Could be genetic as Jo said.

the only thing, Jo, I think it might be better to capture him now than later (if s/he is to be captured) for several reasons:

1. s/he still young, which will allow him to adapt to indoor life better than if/when s/he is an adult squirrel
2. if this is of a genetic/whatever disorder, then, no matter what he looks like in the picture, most likely, he is already compromised
3. if this is genetic (which I think it most likely is), the fur, most likely, won't grow. Or it may not grow as thick and healthy as it should be, which means, no matter how healthy s/he may appear right now, s/he won't survive the winter - that's for sure.
4. so if s/he does not get captured, s/he will die - it will be just a matter of time, as without fur - no surviving.
And if s/he is to be captured, then, it might be better sooner than later, while s/he is still a baby/juvie and will be more adaptable to indoor life style if that's what is in his/her future.

As for stress - yes, capturing does cause stress, but as we've see numerous times here, initial stress subsides and everything ends up fine.
The benefits of the capture far outweigh the initial stress.

But that is all contingent on where this is. If it is anywhere near us (toronto or Montreal), then, yes, we could find a forever place for him.
If not... well, then... that will need to be a plan B of some sort...:thinking

[jo_schmoe]

Yes, it does not look like mange.

Could be genetic as Jo said.

the only thing, Jo, I think it might be better to capture him now than later (if s/he is to be captured) for several reasons:

1. s/he still young, which will allow him to adapt to indoor life better than if/when s/he is an adult squirrel
2. if this is of a genetic/whatever disorder, then, no matter what he looks like in the picture, most likely, he is already compromised
3. if this is genetic (which I think it most likely is), the fur, most likely, won't grow. Or it may not grow as thick and healthy as it should be, which means, no matter how healthy s/he may appear right now, s/he won't survive the winter - that's for sure.
4. so if s/he does not get captured, s/he will die - it will be just a matter of time, as without fur - no surviving.
And if s/he is to be captured, then, it might be better sooner than later, while s/he is still a baby/juvie and will be more adaptable to indoor life style if that's what is in his/her future.

As for stress - yes, capturing does cause stress, but as we've see numerous times here, initial stress subsides and everything ends up fine.
The benefits of the capture far outweigh the initial stress.

But that is all contingent on where this is. If it is anywhere near us (toronto or Montreal), then, yes, we could find a forever place for him.
If not... well, then... that will need to be a plan B of some sort...:thinking
I would be swayed to agree with you....as long as the "capturer" knew what to do.
Big difference between a sick acting wild and one such as this.....this will take a very gentle hand....and one not afraid to be bit...or fear of rabies and such.

[astra]

I would be swayed to agree with you....as long as the "capturer" knew what to do.
Big difference between a sick acting wild and one such as this.....this will take a very gentle hand....and one not afraid to be bit...or fear of rabies and such.
yes, that's why I said that if it is near Toronto/Montreal, we can work towards the capture,
if not - then, plan B... which will depend on how much/little the person can/capable of doing... tough situation

[johnrambo007]

It was seen in Quebec city right next to the montmorency falls. I wasnt planning on capturing it i was simply curious because it looked like a strange squirrel to me!

[astra]

It was seen in Quebec city right next to the montmorency falls. I wasnt planning on capturing it i was simply curious because it looked like a strange squirrel to me!
do you think you could try and capture him?... we will tell you how you could do that
then, I could come and pick him up from you.
This little one won't survive without the fur

[Rhapsody]

I wrote about and posted a pic of a squirrel that was completely bald last week and this was one of the replies I received - I am thinking it might apply to your little guy.


It looks like the baby has balding syndrome. It's a weird thing reds get a lot and greys get sometimes where they go bald except on their face, feet, and tail. The fur usually begins growing back after a couple weeks.

[waxwing7]

Hi, I am new to this board. We are a rehabilitation centre in Edmonton, Alberta. We are seeing this same balding pattern this year for the first time. We have had two critters come in like this and one report (with pictures) from a home-owner who is monitoring the one in her yard. Just wondering since some of the posts are from awhile ago, is there a consensus on what the problem is? Genetic?
Thanks for any information provided!
waxwing7

[Rhapsody]

Just wondering since some of the posts are from awhile ago, is there a consensus on what the problem is? Genetic? Yes, the general agreement here is that this condition of hair loss with in these squirrels are due to genetics.


Here is a pic of the completely bald squirrel I was talking about with its siblings.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/other%20Animals/tiny_hairless2.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rhapsody_1/media/other%20Animals/tiny_hairless2.jpg.html)


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/other%20Animals/tiny_hairless.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rhapsody_1/media/other%20Animals/tiny_hairless.jpg.html)


and one other hairless squirrel

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/other%20Animals/Hairless_zpsc179ce7c-1.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rhapsody_1/media/other%20Animals/Hairless_zpsc179ce7c-1.jpg.html)

[farrelli]

I agree, he needs to be captured, and while he;s young, he'll have a good shot at learning to be happy indoors.

Can you capture him if we try to help?

[Rhapsody]

I agree, he needs to be captured, and while he;s young, he'll have a good shot at learning to be happy indoors.

Can you capture him if we try to help?Farrelli --you are reading a part of this thread that is from 2012.
The new post from today is the one above my recent post with pics.

Just wanted to let you know. :grin3 :eek

[TubeDriver]

I wonder what ever happened to the poor little baby?:(

[farrelli]

Thanks Rhapsody. Didn't see that. I do still wonder what the rehab centre will do though. I mean Edmonton in the winter? Most Americans can't even fathom it.

[LittleB]

Canadians as well. My wife and I are moving to BC later this year (pending how the house sale goes). We will gladly take 0 celcius over -18 in the winter.

If I ever get the privilege to take care of a bald squirrel, I will personally knit him/her a small sweater to keep warm :)

[Rhapsody]

If I ever get the privilege to take care of a bald squirrel, I will personally knit him/her a small sweater to keep warm :)If you ever get to do that I want to see PICS!! -- :poke :grin:grin:grin

[Smartsgirl]

Canadians as well. My wife and I are moving to BC later this year (pending how the house sale goes). We will gladly take 0 celcius over -18 in the winter.

If I ever get the privilege to take care of a bald squirrel, I will personally knit him/her a small sweater to keep warm :)

ME TOO!:hyper If I EVER :imp :tap get blessed with another adorable FOXY mjs squirrel, I may put in an order for one :poke I mean what King or Queen doesn't deserve a custom made garment sewn with love just for them? :rofl4

[LittleB]

I'll be sure to take lots of pics if the opportunity comes!

A tiny raincoat with a little hood would be cute as well :)