Southern flyer, hair loss base of tail and other issues

[othermama]

Buddy, about 8 months old, (I've had him since October. 15th), had recently started losing tail fur right at base. Just happened last two days. I'm not sure what or how it happened. He doesn't get much protein but he has had same diet since weaned. Bugs and freeze dried crickets and mealworms and grasshoppers. Buddy eats plenty vegetables and nuts and fruits.. Variety is good. Drinks plenty of water.
I put oak limbs for him to chew on, sticks and toys etc.
Pet stores don't have flying squirrel food and things. I have bird perch for sandpaper and am trying to keep his nails under control. I'm at a loss for what to do about keeping Buddy's teeth in shape. Just cheering branches may not be enough. Need help/ ideas.
Buddy will not allow anyone but me to touch him and even I'm not allowed to hold him. I let him out of his cage occasionally to run around but he goes in circles because one of his eyes glazed over the week after I gift him. Could have been from the fall or from my cat bringing him to me. Not sure
I put human prescription eye drops and salve for two weeks in the bad eye. I thought it made a difference but it didn't. I'll never be able to release him but am ok with that
. Just not sure what's going on now. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here is a link to high protein blocks that are good for flyers.

https://www.henryspets.com/hi-protein-blocks/


This is a link to the Healthy Diet for Flyers.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?37700-HEALTHY-DIET-for-PET-Flying-Squirrels/page4

[HRT4SQRLS]

Nuts and fruit should be limited.
My flyers get 1/2 of an almond in the morning as a treat. Some days I skip the almond.

I have also stopped feeding fruit as one of my boys has gotten so fat I'm worrying about diabetes.
If I give fruit it's going to be as a rare treat.

I haven't had a problem with the teeth overgrowing. Branches from a safe tree should help file the teeth when they chew. Also, they can have an in shell nut to help file the teeth. Hazelnuts are good for this. Some will chew bones or antlers also.

I feed a dehydrated chicken called PureBites. It is a dog treat that is pure chicken... no chemicals and it's made in the US. A lot of the chicken jerky treats are made in China. :shakehead You can also give cooked chicken.
My boys prefer WaxWorms over meal worms.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Circling is usually a neurological issue. I guess the blind eye could also be a factor.

[Pnerissa]

When I had Nibbles years ago she would go through periods of hair loss. I gave her Vetri-DMG supplement that seemed to help, but ultimately she seemed to have some sort of genetic defect and only lived about 3 years.

Bev

[Floppysquirrel04]

My boy had a hair loss problem for almost 2 years. In the end extra protien was the biggest game changer. He needs some everyday, such as 3-4 waxworms/mealworms, or a piece of egg (cooked or hardboiled) or chicken or turkey breast. I also change out toys every now and then. The newest one is a thick cardboard wrapping paper tube with three holes in the sides for him to climb in and out of and chew, tied horizontal to the cage. How big is his cage? I can send you a picture of mine if you'd like some cage setup ideas and boredom busters. Can we have a picture of his bald spots? Another thing it could be is mites or a fungal disease.

[Rhapsody]

When my two recent flyers started to lose` their fur despite being feed daily hhb I too
started them on "Pure Bites" for extra protein and with in two weeks their fur started
to grow back in...... I use the Pure Bites for cats, but they have them for dogs as well.

*I will try and get some before & after pics together.