Help me help this squirrel

[laraklopp]

Hi, this squirrel is in our backyard a lot. His tail fur is pretty much gone, his regular fur is uneven (like he shaved himself badly), and his tummy, when you see it, is reddish (like a rash?), mostly in the chest area. He also shakes when he sits still. He eats, and chases off other squirrels, and seems generally active.

I'd like to help him. I've been feeding him nuts, but he ignores other foods, like vegetables. Can anyone suggest what I might do to help him? Thank you!
287946

[redwuff]

Poor little bub!:grouphug

He looks young. It would be nice if he ate veggies for you but good quality nuts like almonds pecans, or walnuts would add calories and nutrients that he needs.
Squirrels that come in for rehab that can't be released (NR) have to have a very careful diet without a lot of nuts. They will not eat the diet that is needed to keep them healthy if they get many nuts. Don't worry about it too much in wilds. There is a product that is endorsed by TSB www.henry'shealthypet.com has prepared nutrient rich blocks that many people have success in gettting their wilds to eat.

He looks like he could be infested with fleas or mites. Does he scratch a lot? He could be treated with ivermectin that can be bought at a Farm and tractor supply store like Southern States. It comes as a horse paste $12 -$15 or liquid ivermectin that is much more expensive. We can help you dose either one.

Thank you so much for helping this little one. You are making a difference already in his life:grouphug

Trysh

[Nola985]

Just to add...
I've seen others mix the ivermectin with avocado or peanut butter balls for the wilds which by all accounts they seem to enjoy. They eat it right up and get treated. I wish you're little guy well!

[laraklopp]

Just to add...
I've seen others mix the ivermectin with avocado or peanut butter balls for the wilds which by all accounts they seem to enjoy. They eat it right up and get treated. I wish you're little guy well!

Thank you everyone for your advice!

I got a similar piece of advice (the ivermectin) from a Facebook friend (I also posted there, in case someone there had ideas) ... so I ordered some (1.75 paste I think - it should come by tomorrow) and was trying to figure out how to get it to him. Dosing advice would be very much appreciated ... is it daily, or several times a day, or ... ?

Mixing it with peanut butter is a great idea ... I'll also buy him some more squirrel-appropriate foods. We're in Florida, so there should be abundant food, but he looks really skinny ...

Thanks again! (I would give you all fuzzy squirrel thanks (?) but am not sure how!)

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you everyone for your advice!

I got a similar piece of advice (the ivermectin) from a Facebook friend (I also posted there, in case someone there had ideas) ... so I ordered some (1.75 paste I think - it should come by tomorrow) and was trying to figure out how to get it to him. Dosing advice would be very much appreciated ... is it daily, or several times a day, or ... ?

Mixing it with peanut butter is a great idea ... I'll also buy him some more squirrel-appropriate foods. We're in Florida, so there should be abundant food, but he looks really skinny ...

Thanks again! (I would give you all fuzzy squirrel thanks (?) but am not sure how!)

Here's a great thread that will help you figure out how to safely dose.
You MUST make sure that the correct squirrel is dosed and you MUST
be extremely careful with ivermectin. It can be lethal if dosed incorrectly.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?53316-Re-Ivermectin-for-Wild-Squirrels