DISEASED SQUIRREL? MANGE? DERMATITIS? HELP

[Dy4205]

Hi all,

So I have been feeding this black squirrel in my backyard for about 6 months, I live in Michigan, and within the last couple months I have realized it is starting to lose the fur on its back/neck/head/tail. I remember this squirrel losing it a few months ago, running sporadically all over my back fence and tree for no apparent reason and it just now dawned on me that this could be due to ticks or the reasoning for the loss of fur? I've read minimum online but im concerned it might be mange since it does seem to be itching itself often. I feed it deshelled peanuts (since it seems to struggle opening the shelled ones, unlike the grey squirrels) and sometimes other nuts such as cashews, walnuts, almonds, etc. I started feeding it some organic coconut oil (by placing on nuts), as I read this might rid some fungus residing on squirrels if it is in fact fungus.

What I am asking, what sort of medicine should I buy for this squirrel? vimetcyin? It seems to be getting worse so the sooner I start treatment the better!

PICTURES have been posted


Thanks

[Dy4205]

I am new to this website, so hopefully this post works. Especially considering that I do not see this thread as being posted in the section I assigned it to.

[farrelli]

Here's a thread which contains the answer to your problem:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40563&highlight=ivermectin

Thanks for helping this guy!

[farrelli]

Btw, is the skin read and scaly? Just want to make sure this isn't just molt.

[sid'smommy]

Its a squwunk ! ... :D

[Dy4205]

yes farrelli, it's skin does have some red dots and by scaly if you mean it looks like it might have dandruff then yes there is some of that.

Thanks for link as well

[Dy4205]

Ill try to post a better pic tomorrow. Just for the records, if it does not have mange will the 1.87% ivermectin harm it?

[CritterMom]

Ill try to post a better pic tomorrow. Just for the records, if it does not have mange will the 1.87% ivermectin harm it?

No, as long as you dose it correctly - once every 7 days, the side of a grain of UNCOOKED rice (that is quite small). I use a toothpic to pull a little of the paste out of the tube. Wipe it into the grooves on a half a pecan and then cover the paste with a little blob of peanut butter. No squirrel would say no to that!

[Dy4205]

here are some photos I had taken this morning, I apologize for bad quality (iPhone camera = not the best) but yes I did verify two small red dots on its back.

Does this verify mange?

[Dy4205]

Thanks crittermom, I will definitely try out the 1.87% ivermectin then.

[Dy4205]

Is it normal for the squirrel to be itching itself more so after the treatment??

This squirrel seems to be scratching itself much more now then prior to the treatment I provided it

[Kikiboo]

:dono mind you, they do molt in the spring... :dono

[Dy4205]

:dono mind you, they do molt in the spring... :dono

well does that mean that squirrels becoming itchy when they molt?

[Scooterzmom]

Yup, molting does itch :) They also scratch to shed the dead hair faster. Itès a way of "cleaning" themselves all at once.

I've had some of my wilds looking like they're wearing gaucho pant: skinny top with very short hair but from the waist down, long scraggly hair that makes their bottom look fat. Iève had some that looked like they were wearing a belt around the midriff... just naked there. Yours looks a bit like that. :D

[kastillo]

It almost looks like scarring.

[Kikiboo]

Yup, molting does itch :) They also scratch to shed the dead hair faster. Itès a way of "cleaning" themselves all at once.

I've had some of my wilds looking like they're wearing gaucho pant: skinny top with very short hair but from the waist down, long scraggly hair that makes their bottom look fat. Iève had some that looked like they were wearing a belt around the midriff... just naked there. Yours looks a bit like that. :D


I agree. :thumbsup It also looks like there is a bit of scabbing on the mid-back... Many of my wilds have those, as well as my cat during flea season... I believe it's a reaction to flea bites? I can only see it on my squirrels during the spring molt.
I know my kitty in particular, while he stays indoors and receives treatment, still gets bitten during particularly bad flea years (lots of sand around my place and seemingly fleas as well :( ), and will develop those little scabs around his neck and on his back, near the tail.
If squirrely seems healthy otherwise.. I dont know? Just keep an eye out. :dono