Skin irritation spot on squirrel

[scruffers]

Our male squirrel has a spot on his belly that he’s had for 3 weeks or so. It’s not getting any better or worse in terms of redness. He might be picking off some more of the hair around it. So we assume that it has to be itching/bothering him and he’s picking at it when we aren’t around. We think he just finished shedding. So not sure if it is related to that?

Any ideas for what we could put on this to help it heal up? Or what’s causing it? Thanks!

325798

[CritterMom]

I can't tell you what it is but I can certainly make a suggestion for making it heal.

Go to the drug store or Walmart and buy a bottle of 10% povidone iodine (Betadyne is the brand name but buy generic or store brand if they have it. https://www.target.com/p/povidone-iodine-solution-8oz-up-38-up-8482/-/A-11454825?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000049305059&CPNG=PLA_Health%2BShopping%7CHealth_Ecomm_Essentia ls&adgroup=SC_Health&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9002578&targetid=pla-491760083471&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh7ys0IqIgQMVdcjjBx2OXgVhEAQYAyAB EgIXN_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It looks like a bottle of blood! You want to dilute it to use it - add 1/2 teaspoon of the iodine in 1/4 cup water. Using a cotton ball, dip in the solution you have made and dab on his sore. It doesn't sting or burn at all and they seem to leave it alone whether due to taste or smell I am not sure. You will dye an orange patch on his tummy with it but it will go away. I would do it twice a day. It is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral which means it will wipe out just about anything that might be causing this. It is excellent on staph which is very common - and works just as well on people, BTW. I use ONLY the iodine solution and nothing else. It is water based so the fur doesn't get all sticky or stiff which will make them start messing with the area. No neosporin, no vaseline, no first aid creams, just the iodine solution.