Possible mange ?

[SpeedNugget]

325924325923Our poor baby Lucy has been with us for a couple weeks and have been very itchy. She is and eastern grey and around 6 7 weeks old I think. She has already overcome so much since she fell and was injured but now I’m starting to realize her fur is coming off. At first I thought it was just a couple ant bites from bringing her outside and crawling around on the ground so for the last week she hasn’t been on the ground at all but I think it’s getting worse. It started and just pinky reddish skin that seemed mildly itchy but I’m noticing her fur is coming off now. The worst seems to be around her face but there r a few other spots that rnt as bad on her body. She scratches all day it’s driving her crazy! I will attach pictures but in the event it is mange I’m not sure what I should do with the other squirrels. I’ve been keeping them separate but I’m worried they could get it too or already have and it’s too early to tell. I don’t want to treat her just for her to get it again. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[CritterMom]

It could be, but you usually see a lot of problems on the ears. Where else on her body do you see the problem? Can you take pics?

The formula they drink, if left to dry on the skin - and they make a mess of themselves when nursing - will do exactly this - cause redness and fur loss. The fact that it is around her mouth really makes me wonder if this is what is happening. They need to be cleaned off thoroughly with a warm, wet cloth and all formula thoroughly wiped off.

[SpeedNugget]

It could be, but you usually see a lot of problems on the ears. Where else on her body do you see the problem? Can you take pics?

The formula they drink, if left to dry on the skin - and they make a mess of themselves when nursing - will do exactly this - cause redness and fur loss. The fact that it is around her mouth really makes me wonder if this is what is happening. They need to be cleaned off thoroughly with a warm, wet cloth and all formula thoroughly wiped off.



I think u might be right Because it did start after she was fed by my husband around lunch time and when I got home around dinner I cleaned her About a week ago and the pattern is around that milk line. I was just hoping she would have been at least less itchy by now. I’m going to continue to keep her separate and monitor. Thank u for ur help it makes me feel a lot better instead of immediately going into defcon 1

[CritterMom]

Suggestion: First, completely wipe this baby down with clear warm water - no soap or anything else that could leave a residue. Make sure he stays warm throughout this and has a nice, toasty bed to go back to to dry.

Then got to the drug store or Walmart and buy a bottle of Betadyne 10% povidone iodine (or the store brand equivalent). It looks like a squirt bottle full of blood! Dilute this at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon of the iodine to 1/4 cup boiled and cooled water. Warm it up to several degrees over his body temp - 105-110 F - and use a cotton ball to saturate all the areas that this is happening. It doesn't burn or sting - it will dye him a bit orange but it will fade. Don't wipe him off, place him back in his nest on heat to stay warm while he dries. It is an absolutely fantastic antibacterial and antifungal, and if any sort of surface bacteria is trying to invade the already inflamed areas, it will wipe them out. It will help with the itching, too, because it will foster fast healing. Do it at least once a day while he is bad.

They get worse, not better, at getting messy when eating as they get older and more enthusiastic about it. You need to be really scrupulous about keeping him cleaned up afterward.

If the sores get worse even after the Betadyne, you have to think that it may be mange, which can be treated with either Revolution, a dog/cat antiparasitic available from Canada w/o prescription, or with equine ivermectin, which is available online or at your local Tractor Supply-ish sort of place. But when I see the face and the front arms and hands involved, I think formula scald.