Strange skin disorder on stomach

[Toddy]

270982270981270982270981I've attached a picture of a spot I found on my squirrel's belly today. The fur is missing (not sure if it fell out or if she scratched it off). There is some redness and the area has a semi stiffness or firmness to the touch. She does not react when I touch it, so it does not appear to be causing her any pain or discomfort. The area also looks to be in two separate regions with a 'crease' in between. Very slight yellowing visible I think under the skin, but difficult to say for sure. The skin had a wetness to it when I first discovered it, almost gooey. I have put some Polysporin on it before taking the picture, hence the wet appearence in photos.

She is acting and eating normally.
She lives indoors in the house 24/7.
No bug bites or injuries apparent.
She will be seven years old this May.
Approx. weight is 1.5-2lbs.

Thank you for any help you can provide...

[stepnstone]

No picture... :dono

[Toddy]

Should be there now....

[island rehabber]

Could you zoom out a bit and give us a pic of exactly where this is happening on her?

[Toddy]

Could you zoom out a bit and give us a pic of exactly where this is happening on her?

It is right in the middle of her belly, dead center. I will get a picture of her underside tomorrow as she has gone to bed already.

To my untrained eye, it has the appearance of a burn. However, this is not possible as she does not have any access to anything that would cause a burn or scald. I am just mentioning it since that is what it looks like to me. She let me put more Polysporin on it before bed and still no discomfort when I touch it. It is a bit itchy though, as I have seen her scratch at it slightly once or twice today.

[Shewhosweptforest]

:thinking What you're describing almost sounds like a hot spot :dono does she climb into tight spaces...like a hole in the nestbox? Sometimes rubbing against something over and over can cause hair loss...I don't like the yellow tinge....I would clean it good with diluted betadine...I'd try to keep it dry afterwards and see if moisture is seeping from her skin :thinking also there's a really good product I learned about here called chlorhexidine gluconate...it's really good for skin conditions :great

[Toddy]

:thinking What you're describing almost sounds like a hot spot :dono does she climb into tight spaces...like a hole in the nestbox? Sometimes rubbing against something over and over can cause hair loss...I don't like the yellow tinge....I would clean it good with diluted betadine...I'd try to keep it dry afterwards and see if moisture is seeping from her skin :thinking also there's a really good product I learned about here called chlorhexidine gluconate...it's really good for skin conditions :great

Yes, when I first discovered it today, there was some moisture seeping from the skin in the redened area.

Her next is actually a cardboard bankers box with a square hole cut out from one corner for use as the door. From the looks of the problem area, I do not think it was caused by her rubbing against something. I think it is some sort of skin irritation or perhaps even a rash from something. But nothing has changed in her environment, so I am at odds as to what has caused this....

[stepnstone]

Yes, when I first discovered it today, there was some moisture seeping from the skin in the redened area.

Her next is actually a cardboard bankers box with a square hole cut out from one corner for use as the door. From the looks of the problem area, I do not think it was caused by her rubbing against something. I think it is some sort of skin irritation or perhaps even a rash from something. But nothing has changed in her environment, so I am at odds as to what has caused this....

We strongly advise against using cardboard due to it absorbing moisture and aiding in dehydration
with young ones. I can potentially see other concerns with it absorbing body fluids, food wastes and
the like. Not only providing a breeding ground for bacteria but I would imagine an absorbed "p" spot
could possibility cause a "chemical" reaction on the skin even when dry. Urine can be pretty caustic.
Could she be "dragging" her stomach across the opening as she goes in and out? Anything that constantly
rubs on the skin is either going to callus or blister. Just throwing out some areas to consider... :dono

[Toddy]

Here are two new photos taken today. The issue area is about the size of a $1 coin. The skin is still red today, but there is less yellowing to the center.

[TubeDriver]

That could be an infection of some type? Is that area warm to the touch (warmer than the surrounding areas)?

[Toddy]

That could be an infection of some type? Is that area warm to the touch (warmer than the surrounding areas)?

No, it does not feel warmer then the surrounding areas. It does have a 'thicker' texture though for some reason. Almost like the area without fur on it is raised up slightly.