Sores on baby squirrels

[Randy14]

My Roxy (6 1/2 year old fox squirrel) gave birth to litter #11 six days ago. I just noticed that the babies have some very small red spots on them. Several have slightly larger sores, almost looks like they were bitten, but know they weren't any predator attacks. Any idea what this might be ?

Many thanks

[Mel1959]

Can you post a picture? Are these babies outside in the wild or in your house? Ant bites are always a possibility, as are mites or fleas.

[island rehabber]

Could be mange....we need to see a pic, as Mel1959 suggested.

[Charley Chuckles]

Mel I'm pretty sure Roxy is an outside squirrel. She still visits Randy.
Roxy is the reason he invented the board game, Moxy Roxy ...It's a squirrels life😁

Randy can you get close enough to get pics?

[Randy14]

Hi Abby,

Roxy's current nest is in a bush about 9 feet high where I can access via a ladder. Though I can stick my hand and grab babies (there are 3) one at a time, difficult to get a photo. However checking with another squirrel rehabber I know locally, says it is mites, which is the culprit for mange. I immediately got some flea drops which I believe contains 'cedar' one of the active ingredients, and very sparingly rubbed on babies which are one week old. Saw a major improvement after only one day. If I can get a photo, I'll post it. In the meantime I want to thank you folks for your prompt attention. You guys are the greatest. When I started this journey with squirrels 6 years ago when I found Roxy, The Squirrel Board was my main teacher & mentor. I've learned so much thanks to you. I've helped out Roxy on previous litters as well. This was her 11th. People out there that know me now ask me for advice.

The games are still selling well, now in some retail outlets, zoos, nat'l parks, wildlife museums. I believe I posted my website in the gifts section: www.moxy-roxy.com

Thanks so much for all your great advice.............

[Charley Chuckles]

Hi Abby,

Roxy's current nest is in a bush about 9 feet high where I can access via a ladder. Though I can stick my hand and grab babies (there are 3) one at a time, difficult to get a photo. However checking with another squirrel rehabber I know locally, says it is mites, which is the culprit for mange. I immediately got some flea drops which I believe contains 'cedar' one of the active ingredients, and very sparingly rubbed on babies which are one week old. Saw a major improvement after only one day. If I can get a photo, I'll post it. In the meantime I want to thank you folks for your prompt attention. You guys are the greatest. When I started this journey with squirrels 6 years ago when I found Roxy, The Squirrel Board was my main teacher & mentor. I've learned so much thanks to you. I've helped out Roxy on previous litters as well. This was her 11th. People out there that know me now ask me for advice.

The games are still selling well, now in some retail outlets, zoos, nat'l parks, wildlife museums. I believe I posted my website in the gifts section: www.moxy-roxy.com

Thanks so much for all your great advice.............
Good to see you Randy.
I'm curious to know what is the name of the flea drops you are using....I have always used Revolution.
I am glad the babies are doing better and hope they let you take a pic....AWWWW Roxy babies have to be so stinking adorable :Love_Icon:grin2:grouphug I just love the story of Roxy and how she inspired you to create a game board :clap

[Randy14]

Hi Abby,

The flea drops are called Flea & Tick Squeeze-On. Made by a French company: Only Natural Pet/EasyDefense. Bought at Petsmart. No special product for squirrels, only dogs or cats. So I chose the one for cats. Wasn't cheap ($19.95) but I like how it comes with three small tubes - easy to apply.

To spray nests and adult squirrels there's a product called Cedarcide. It is deet free and has cedarwood oil and soybean oil.

When they're about two weeks older, will try to post a photo.

Many thanks for your positive sentiment on my squirrel game. It has been, and still is a phenomenal journey.

All the best,
Randy

[stepnstone]

The flea drops are called Flea & Tick Squeeze-On. Made by a French company: Only Natural Pet/EasyDefense.

This product consists of peppermint oil & geraniol
Peppermint and Peppermint oil is a Natural Squirrel Repellent.
Geraniol is a terpene alcohol with an odor of lilac often used
as a solvent and in flavorings and perfumes.
I would not use this product on any squirrel!

[Mel1959]

I have to agree with Step. I was a little skeptical when you mentioned it had cedar in it because that is a toxic substance to squirrels. I don’t think I’d EVER use this on week old squirrel babies! If you have to treat for mites or other creepy crawlies I’d either get some Revolution from a vet (it requires a Rx) or order it from Joes Pet Meds online from Australia where no Rx is required.

Momma squirrels lick their babies to clean them which means she’s ingesting this stuff. Yuck! I really, really hope it isn’t toxic to squirrels when ingested. :eek:shakehead:shakehead

[Randy14]

320906 Babies are two weeks old now. and appear to be doing well. I won't use those flea drops that you don't recommend, and will try to get that Revolution. Most of the sores have gone, but still have sores near armpit area, but looks like it is healing. I see them starting to grow some 'fuzz' on their bodies.

[Randy14]

Update - Roxy moved her babies up to more secluded nest up palm tree when babies were 20 days old on 2/12. However early this week our area here in SoCal got hit with frigid cold winds and 2 of the 3 babies died. Roxy then brought surviving baby (Jasmine) back to base nest where I can access. Jasmine looks ok but still has this open sore near left armpit where fur isn't growing, maybe 1/4" diameter Don't think it is mange, nor life threatening for now. Even if I knew local vet to take squirrels, I'd hate to separate baby from mama. Hoping condition can be identified and obtain home remedy. Photo attached, she is 33 days old and eyes just opened321034 Many thanks for your help.

[CritterMom]

Is that raised, like a bump, or is that the photo?

I would get some Betadyne 10% povidone iodine in the wound care aisle of the local drug store (buy their store brand if they have one - less $$). Dilute 1/4 teaspoon into 1/4 cup water. Use a qtip or watercolor brush and just apply a few drops to the area. It won't burn or sting and covers bacteria, fungus and virals which is pretty much everything. If she or mom licks it, it won't hurt them. Try to do it once a day if you can.

[Randy14]

There is no 'bump'. Looks like a small patch of pink skin, with no fur growing. Do you know what technical condition this might be ?

[Charley Chuckles]

Randy I'm so sorry about the other babies :grouphug

[CritterMom]

There is no 'bump'. Looks like a small patch of pink skin, with no fur growing. Do you know what technical condition this might be ?

I really don't. Could be an insect bite of some kind - the no fur part could be due to grooming the area by either baby or mom. That they all had it or something like it is very odd, too. Since it isn't appearing anywhere else, I say no to mites or something like that. Fungal? I just don't know. That is why the betadyne is so good - it doesn't MATTER what it is because it pretty much covers everything. If mama is doing this, the "off" taste from the diluted betadyne solution may even discourage her.

I am so sorry about the other babies.

[Randy14]

I started applying that diluted betadyne solution. I believe I spotted another problem. Jasmine's ears don't appear to be forming right. No upright extension on both ears. It looks like a deformity. She is exactly 5 weeks old today and I've seen other baby squirrels in the past of same age with the normal upright look. Now I'm wondering how this will affect her hearing and survivability skills. Photo attached. Any experience or comments on this condition. Many thanks.........321052

[CritterMom]

Aw. We don't have foxers here, but my gray babies all had their ears "pop" at about 5.5 weeks, but you could see the whole ear before then; it just wasn't standing up yet. You can't on both of her ears?

I remember another thread here with a released foxer who's ears were like that and through her life, some portion of her babies all had the same "deformity." In that case, it didn't have any effect on their hearing, and was clearly hereditary (unless mama was nibbling...??)