Phewtus losing hair in bite spot...

[MumOfPhewtus]

hey guys...

Phewtus (I mentioned him in an earlier thread...) is beginning to lose his hair at one of the spots he was bit at. other than that he is behaving normally, eating normally, and as far as I can tell being a normal squirrel. I was just wondering if anyone knows why this might be happening?

There's no soreness (I'm pretty sure), no swelling, no redness, no drainage at the site either...

Thanks for the advice!

[4skwerlz]

Who bit him?

When?

Any pics?

[MumOfPhewtus]

phewtus got bit by a cat about six weeks ago... I dont have any pictures of his bite right now... I can get some on her sometime though...

:)

[4skwerlz]

A new or expanding loss of hair on a wound could possibly be an abscess. Do you have vet who will see Phewtus? Or is there a rehabber near you? He could end up needing antibiotics. A picture would help a lot. That's good that he's stlll behaving and eating normally, but they often do with abscesses.

[LynninIN]

You said in another post that Phewtus was treated with antibiotics when he was first found. I would help to know what antibiotic you used, the strength and length of time given.

[MumOfPhewtus]

hey guys! thanks for all the advice...

Right after I got phewtus, I called vet after vet and they kept referring me to the same wildlife rehab number... So, I called that and left a message (as the vets had instructed me to do) and I also called a number of a local rehabber in my area... Neither responded to me and I knew Phewtus needed to be on antibiotics d/t the gram - bacteria in cat saliva that could ultimately kill him... so, jokingly I asked my roomie if she had any, and she did...it was monocycline (im pretty sure) which was a branch of tetracycline, which was broad spectrum and they used on rabbits... so, I figured a squirrel isnt too far off from a rabbit... I would just mix some of the powder in the pill with puppy formula and he would drink it up... I did that for about a week and half... I know its not the best solution but my other option was to just let him go/or give none at all...

He had two puncture wounds- one's losing hair and the other is absolutely fine... when I push on the one thats losing hair he doesnt run, or squinch, or make any noise (like he did when I first got him)... so I dont think its hurting him. .. . I'll try and get pictures up

Thanks again guys!

[LynninIN]

At six weeks post bite, I don't think Phewtus requires more antibiotics unless something changes. You've said there is no redness or swelling but watch closely to make sure this doesn't develop. I think that the hair follicles around the bite where damaged and the hair is not regrowing in this area. Squirrels are losing and regrowing hair all of the time so it could have taken this long to show up.

If you can get a picture, it would really help to confirm this.