FLEAS

[crazyanimallady]

Rescued a new baby today from a small dog. Male gray squirrel. Looks to be about 7-8wks old. He is COVERED in fleas and super skinny. What can I do about the fleas? He is currently on heat in the garage away from all the other animals. I have never rescued one this old. Have only raised tiny pink babies to full grown so have never had to deal with a flea infested squirrel. Not sure what I can/cannot use.

[AJR]

I washed mine in a little Dawn dish soap and warm water and haven't seen a flea since her bath.

[Chickenlegs]

Give the little guy a bath in Dawn. Cover his eyes (and claws) start at the neck and encircle that with the soapy water. Doubt he's gonna be real happy while you're bathing him but being rid of those fleas will make him SO much happier. Put him in a warm bin with clean cloth--maybe old t-shirts--to dry then look for more fleas. If you see individual fleas keep a container of alcohol or clorhexidine handy and a q-tip. Dab the individual fleas with it. They should die right away. Change the cloth frequently until you see no fleas. During the meanwhile rehydrate the little guy. If he's skinny he's likely dehydrated and really hungry. You can offer blocks if you have some or even a piece of sweet potato or apple. Make sure the dog didn't injure him. Dogs will shake a little squirrel like a toy. Damage can be internal or neuro even if he doesn't have obvious wounds. Keep him warm, dark, quiet and watch him. Likely a 7/8 week old baby would be with mom and nursing some. Got formula? Try that. Good nutrition for a hungry baby. Make sure to get fluids in him before you feed him. Good luck with your little guy. I probably left some thing important out but other folks will fill in.

[Chirp]

Dawn dish soap works well. I dont like using a Flea shampoo of babys,
But my little one is so badly infested i'm going to have too.
But I use Dawn and mix a drop of Flea&Tick shampoo with 2 drops of dawn and work it in.
I also rinse it all out very well too and be carefull dry him Poor think is just skin and bone's.

[Snow White]

I use Wondercide. It is made from cedar oil and safe for pets and humans. Smells great and you don't have to get them wet. Kills fleas immediately and keeps them off. Wondercide.com

[Chirp]

Thanks for tip on Wondercide.
I will looking into that one.

[SammysMom]

NO CEDAR OIL ON SQUIRRELS! It is harsh on their sensitive sinuses. We don't even use cedar shavings because of that. a drop of Revolution flea and tick on the back of the neck is my protocol.

[Chirp]

Ok so cedar oil is bad

[stepnstone]

Dawn dish soap works well. I dont like using a Flea shampoo of babys,
But my little one is so badly infested i'm going to have too.
But I use Dawn and mix a drop of Flea&Tick shampoo with 2 drops of dawn and work it in.
I also rinse it all out very well too and be carefull dry him Poor think is just skin and bone's.


I use Wondercide. It is made from cedar oil and safe for pets and humans. Smells great and you don't have to get them wet. Kills fleas immediately and keeps them off. Wondercide.com

:shakehead Regardless if it works... not recommended and not a good practice to use on squirrels!