Molting and chewing

[KathleenNYC]

Hello,
I haven't been on in a long time but I need some expert advice. My little Wort is almost 4 years old now. He is completely blind on his right side and definitely has flexibility issues. When he fell from heaven into our hearts it was a very long fall. He was covered in contusions and nasty bruises on his entire right side. But this board helped us to let him become the most affectionate health little boy. Yes, he eats Henry blocks and a healthy vegetable diet...
So, now my question: every year he does not molt with any grace... but he goes through his long long process (I am sure the air conditioning is no help) and then after summer gets his beautiful thick winter coat and tail.
This year he has started molting and I am afraid it is annoying him something awful. He has been grooming as best he can but he cannot reach all the way around so he is kind of clawing at the spots on his hind quarters and now they are raw.
I applied a thin coat of neosporin and it looked to be better but now I think it may be annoying him even more. Maybe like when a cut heals and it gets itchy?
Today it looks really bad. He is making it worse because he cant reach or see it and he is causing damage further up.
How can I help clear this up and help him to stop scratching and chewing. (this is on his blind side) Help...
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[Annabelle's papa]

:)Hi Ms. Kathleen, there have been several suggestions posted to sooth the skin condition that Lil' Wort is experiencing, although I'm not sure what is best. Please stay on the site and you will receive plenty of advice shortly.:thumbsup

[KathleenNYC]

Thanks! do you have any of the links to the threads?
I want to sooth him in a hurry before he does any more damage... Poor little ones are so prone to self mutilation... breaks my heart.

[Annabelle's papa]

Thanks! do you have any of the links to the threads?
I want to sooth him in a hurry before he does any more damage... Poor little ones are so prone to self mutilation... breaks my heart.

:)The most recent thread I found mentions the use of coconut oil, and I have seen it mentioned elsewhere before, however I have also seen where it is best to use little of anything if possible. However for Lil' Worts sake, I'm sure a light application of the oil to sooth him some shouldn't hurt anything.


:) Post number 9; http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?50038-losing-his-hair&highlight=coconut+oil

:)Avocado is also excellent for their coats, although the skin and pit is poisonous, only feed the fleshy meat.:thumbsup

[KathleenNYC]

Thank you so much... but won't he want to get to the coconut oil even more??? he loves Coconut!!! (and guacamole)

[Annabelle's papa]

Thank you so much... but won't he want to get to the coconut oil even more??? he loves Coconut!!! (and guacamole)

:)I agree about the wanting to get at or lick the oil, I think that is why I've seen the suggestions of using nothing if possible. Maybe you could spot treat around the injuries, but the neosporin is important to prevent infection, and I have also seen where silvedene has been recommended for it's healing abilities. Curad has an over the counter product called Silver Solution that is fairly new;

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/curad-silver-solution-first-aid-antimicrobial-gel/ID=prod6068617-product

[KathleenNYC]

Thank YOU!!!
I would love to feel comfortable just leaving it alone... if it just didn't look so bad, I do think the gel of the neosporin makes it look extra red.
But, I am so worried about infection and it getting worse... I did apply another thin coat of the neosporin before my first post. the top spot is so raw, couldn't just leave it alone.
He is sort of sleeping now, pops his head out of his cube wanting his nighttime nut... but i am afraid of him getting at it when I am at work tomorrow and not watching.

[KathleenNYC]

just got an email about a reply, but I dont see it here? it directed me to this post:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?50078-Hope-for-Lily-lt-3&p=1095293
Anyone know if Chew Stopper by Retrieve Health is available in retail stores like petco or pet smart?

[Annabelle's papa]

Thank YOU!!!
I would love to feel comfortable just leaving it alone... if it just didn't look so bad, I do think the gel of the neosporin makes it look extra red.
But, I am so worried about infection and it getting worse... I did apply another thin coat of the neosporin before my first post. the top spot is so raw, couldn't just leave it alone.
He is sort of sleeping now, pops his head out of his cube wanting his nighttime nut... but i am afraid of him getting at it when I am at work tomorrow and not watching.

:)Amen Ms. Kathleen, and the neosporin or the silver solution isn't 'supposed' to be harmful should Lil' Wort ingest some, maybe if you just keep using it until the molting and tingling passes, I'm interested in learning whether or not a supplement with Biotin could be good for Squirrels during certain times of the year.:)

[Annabelle's papa]

just got an email about a reply, but I dont see it here? it directed me to this post:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?50078-Hope-for-Lily-lt-3&p=1095293
Anyone know if Chew Stopper by Retrieve Health is available in retail stores like petco or pet smart?


:)So far I believe it is still a mail order item from one of these sites;

http://www.dogids.com/product/retrieve-chew-stopper-for-dogs/?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=3973&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3430323439&gclid=CM6465urn8UCFabm7AodjjQAeA

http://www.amazon.com/Retrieve-Health-Chew-Stopper-Ounces/dp/B004MDRVRG

[KathleenNYC]

:)Amen Ms. Kathleen, and the neosporin or the silver solution isn't 'supposed' to be harmful should Lil' Wort ingest some, maybe if you just keep using it until the molting and tingling passes, I'm interested in learning whether or not a supplement with Biotin could be good for Squirrels during certain times of the year.:)

That is a very interesting thought! As I said he has never gone through molting with grace...

[Annabelle's papa]

:) Do you have a Fleet and Farm nearby, it could be a fairly new product and will soon be everywhere.:thumbsup http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/retrieve-health-chew-stopper-spray/0000000029895

[island rehabber]

hi KathleenNYC -- good to see you and Wort again, despite the unfortunate circumstance.
The pinkness of those areas in his fur worries me. I am wondering if he may have picked up some mites somewhere which is causing this, and it's not a normal molt at all. (Molts can be ugly, yes, but usually the skin is not affected.) I would suggest first applying an antibiotic wash (Betadene, for example) to the areas. If this doesn't help in a few days, he may need ivermectin or sealemectin (Revolution).

[island rehabber]

:) Do you have a Fleet and Farm nearby, it could be a fairly new product and will soon be everywhere.:thumbsup http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/retrieve-health-chew-stopper-spray/0000000029895


Annabelle's papa, bless your heart :grouphug. We not only don't have Fleet and Farm anywhere in NYC, we don't even have Walmart! You can get East Mongolian food at 3:00am in NYC, but you can't get anything a little furry creature might possibly need.....:shakehead :tilt
Sounds like a great product, though!

[Bravo]

Thanks AP :w00t That was my post, thought I was in another thread. So much for multitasking. :shakehead

KNYC, hoping we can help see Wort through this. :grouphug

[KathleenNYC]

Yes Annabelle's papa has been holding my hand through this!!! Bless him!!!

IR, mites... oh my!!! we dont have any other pets? could I have brought them home? Guess it's possible to bring anything home...
It was clear when it started, just like years past, then yesterday I saw the red spots like he was picking at it and put the neosporin on. Last night it looked better and today it was really raw. I cant tell if it is just chewing and scratching, because he cant reach it well, he throws his front paw back and claws at it and then tries to really chew. (and I know from his grooming me he can debride like an Ivy League DR.) But he is not scratching anywhere else?
I will get some "Betadene" tomorrow.
Is it going to burn or sting him? I would just like to be prepared for his reaction... he will let me do almost anything to him, but it doesn't mean he always likes it... then gives me the look...lol

[island rehabber]

Very safe for animals when used correctly -- it's a staple item in most rehabbers' cupboards. :)
http://www.drugs.com/vet/betadine-solution.html

[Annabelle's papa]

Annabelle's papa, bless your heart :grouphug. We not only don't have Fleet and Farm anywhere in NYC, we don't even have Walmart! You can get East Mongolian food at 3:00am in NYC, but you can't get anything a little furry creature might possibly need.....:shakehead :tilt
Sounds like a great product, though!

:)Bless Ya'll's Hearts IR, I'm just trying to follow what you all do, the Chew Stopper has only been put on Amazon since Ms. Kristi told us about it the other day, it will probably be widely available soon.:thumbsup

Thanks AP :w00t That was my post, thought I was in another thread. So much for multitasking. :shakehead

KNYC, hoping we can help see Wort through this. :grouphug

:)Hi Bravo, after I posted to monipenny the other day about Lyrica and Neurontin for her Lily, I looked back and saw where you had just given her a complete explanation of both meds on the other thread she started specifically seeking opinions on the two of them. :facepalm

:) I was hoping you wouldn't think I was following you around the board trying to take credit for your advice.:hidechair:smiley_pirate:tilt

[Kristi S]

I don't know when Chew Stopper was put on Amazon, but it's available at a range of brick-and-mortar stores, even in NYC. Go to this page and enter your zip code.
http://www.zipmath.com/mendota/storelocator.html

[KathleenNYC]

Just an update... the Betadine seems to have helped!!! looking nice and dry and clear!
(I am sure that the smell helped keep him away from it.)
THANK YOU EVERYBODY!!! I love this board!!!
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[island rehabber]

:goodpost :bliss:dance:clap