Tails

[squirrel daddy <3]

I have 2 baby squirrels who seem to be losing the hair on the tip of there tails. What could be causing this problem??

[farrelli]

Can you tell us exactly what you're feeding them, how often, and how old they are? You can't post pictures yet, but if you email them to me at farrelli-at-rcn.com, I'll post them for you. (Replace the -at- with an @)

[squirrel daddy <3]

I am feeding them fox valley, every 3 hours. They are about 3 1/2 weeks old.

[squirrel daddy <3]

Okay I went ahead and emailed those photos to you.

[farrelli]

Here are the pics. Are you feeding 5-7% of body weight?

[Nancy in New York]

Are these greys?
Is that bone or can you see fur there?
Was there fur, and now it's gone, or is the fur still
coming in?
Do I ask enough questions? :rotfl

[squirrel daddy <3]

Yes they are Grey squirrels. That is not bone. The fur was there and now is gone. They are being fed 6% of there body weight. It's okay I'm glad someone's going to be able to help me.

[farrelli]

Are they chewing on it or perhaps getting it caught somewhere?

[squirrel daddy <3]

There is no where for it to get caught. I have not seen either of them ever chew their tails.

[farrelli]

I don't know then. One of our rehabers might have an opinion in awhile because they see so many squirrels.

They're healthy overall though, right?

[Milo's Mom]

Is it possible that the tip of the tail got wet with something sort of sticky and the fur is matted down? In the one pic it looks like there is fur at the end, but it looks sort of chunky....which is how it looks when it gets matted.

I cannot see the pic well enough to see if the fur is actually GONE or not.

[farrelli]

Here's a closeup of the best one. It looks like there is fur at the tip, but red and sparse right before it.

[djarenspace9]

I have dealt with this a few times of the years...it's a fungus...can't recall (brain fuzzy) and the treatment was a really smelly nasty ointment...aaaack need to pick my own brain...will be back later when I remember things...

[Milo's Mom]

Wow and DJ comes to the rescue! Way to go DJ!!! :thumbsup Looking forward to hearing all about it when you remember.

[djarenspace9]

Wow and DJ comes to the rescue! Way to go DJ!!! :thumbsup Looking forward to hearing all about it when you remember.
Yeah, don't celebrate yet...I had to text a fellow rehabber cause my brain is not remembering the name...
I clearly can see the bottle and smell that nasty (yet effective) stuff inside though. :rotfl

[Milo's Mom]

Yeah, don't celebrate yet...I had to text a fellow rehabber cause my brain is not remembering the name...
I clearly can see the bottle and smell that nasty (yet effective) stuff inside though. :rotfl

Okay, then we'll all pause for a quick commercial break. Celebrating will resume in a bit. :D

[djarenspace9]

We used conofite (miconazole nitrate). I have seen this in both squirrels and raccoons and the meds stop the spread but in most cases the tip of the tail would dry up and fall off.

[Nancy in New York]

We used conofite (miconazole nitrate). I have seen this in both squirrels and raccoons and the meds stop the spread but in most cases the tip of the tail would dry up and fall off.

While you're here, do you know what causes this?

[djarenspace9]

It's a fungal infection and I imagine it affects the tip of the tail because it's an extremity that has little circulation and more likely to "rot". I think they can get it on the tips of the ears too. It reminds me of the infection possums get (dermal septic necrosis).

[squirrel daddy <3]

Okay so thank you everyone for your help. All of these posts have been helpful. Where would I be able to get this cream if I'm not a rehabber?

[farrelli]

Is that the same thing as vaginal creams like Monistat sold at drug stores?

If no one else answers, I'd just ask a pharmacist. It looks like you can get it anywhere.

[SammysMom]

It appears to be Monistat..

[Milo's Mom]

I would be curious to know the strength of the Monistat in relation to the veterinary version. The Veterinary version looks like it comes in 2 different strengths. DJ, do you know the strength you used or are you able to find out?

[SammysMom]

I think I used an athletes foot remedy on a kitten with ringworm. Probably similar...fungal
Miconazole Nitrate Topical cream
A topical antifungal - It is used to treat certain kinds of fungal or yeast infections of the skin
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It is not just Monistat either:
Generic Name: miconazole topical
Brand Names: Desenex AF, Tetterine, Aloe Vesta, Lotrimin AF Powder Spray, Zeasorb-AF, Micatin Cooling Action, Micatin Foot Powder Deodorant, Baza Antifungal, Triple Paste AF, Mitrazol, See more brands »
What is this medicine?
MICONAZOLE (mi KON a zole) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat certain kinds of fungal or yeast infections of the skin.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

[squirrel daddy <3]

So any of these brand names can be used to treat this fungus on my babies tails?

[farrelli]

Djar says that they used conofite, which appears to come in 1-2% miconazole nitrate, and Monistat is 2%, so I would assume that that is safe. As for the other products, you'd have to look those up separately (or ask a pharmacist) to see if they have matching concentrations. Hopefully you can pick some up tomorrow before it's too late or spreads.

[djarenspace9]

I would be curious to know the strength of the Monistat in relation to the veterinary version. The Veterinary version looks like it comes in 2 different strengths. DJ, do you know the strength you used or are you able to find out?
I don't have any on hand to check the strength I used. :dono
It was a long time ago that I last needed it.
It was in drops too, nowadays it seems they are lotions.

[djarenspace9]

I don't want to be crude but I'd use the Monistat over the athlete's foot stuff.
I figure that if it's safe enough to be spread in such an errrrr delicate area I'd want that on my babies.
I would necessary want to treat them like smelly old feet. :rotfl

:wave123 I need to get some sleep....

[squirrel daddy <3]

Okay I will get the Monostat 2% tomorrow. If things improve, I will let you know. Thank you dj and farrelli

[farrelli]

You're quite welcome. Now that you have picture posting rights, you can pay us back by posting more of these babies than just their tails!

[squirrel daddy <3]

Unfortunately all of my pictures and pictures taken are too big for the websites limit of 1.00 mb. If I can find one to go up, it will go up ASAP.

[Milo's Mom]

Unfortunately all of my pictures and pictures taken are too big for the websites limit of 1.00 mb. If I can find one to go up, it will go up ASAP.

You need to reduce them. What software do you use on your computer for your pictures?

If you e-mail some of them to me I will reduce them and post them for you. My e-mail is milosmom041610@gmail.com

[squirrel daddy <3]

I am actually using my phone for all of this.

I sent those pictures to your email. Thank you.

[Milo's Mom]

199781

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[farrelli]

So cute! I won't be happy until we get to see their little faces though! Thanks SD and MM!