Mange or Fungus??

[gkbdvm]

This guy has been seen in our yard. Eats well, otherwise seems ok. Not sure if worth catching or medicating..not sure if Mange or fungus.

[TubeDriver]

That looks like Mange to me. I would treat ASAP with Ivermection or kitten Revolution (both orally on a treat if possible). Some of the ring like marks on his back could be from ringworm but I would start with Mange treatment and be prepared to provide anti-fungal treatment if you don't see positive results in a couple weeks.

[stepnstone]

This guy has been seen in our yard. Eats well, otherwise seems ok. Not sure if worth catching or medicating..not sure if Mange or fungus.

Mange, can be treated in the wild as long as you can
make sure it's the one who gets the treated nut.

[redwuff]

Worse case of sarcoptic mange I have ever seen. Stunning he made it through the winter. Go with ivermectin.

[TubeDriver]

Let us know if you need help with purchasing and dosing Ivermection (1.87% paste is commonly available without a prescription required and is very inexpensive)? Please don't treat unless you know the correct dosing directions (very simple), as too much Ivermectin can be fatal.

He is going to feel SOOOOO much better in a couple weeks!

[gkbdvm]

Thanks,

I'm a retired vet, did some research with ivermectin back in the 80's. How do you dose the equine paste?

Gerry

[TubeDriver]

Ok, great! So the 1.87% equine horse paste is often apple flavored which squirrels don't seem to mind at all.

Knead the tube with your fingers to try and more evenly distribute the active ingredients. Take a drop sized amount of the Ivermectin paste (slightly less than the size of an uncooked piece of white rice) and apply to a shelled pecan piece (you can use other treats but the ridges in the pecan are useful for holding the paste). Give to squirrel (try to toss near him so he gets it). Not a very scientific dosing method but it has worked safely and effectively countless times.

Wait about 7 days and repeat this process. In some cases a third dose after another 7 days is helpful.

The first dose kills the live, adult mites. The second dose after 7 days will kill newly hatched mites (Ivermectin does not work on the unhatched eggs). #3rd dose at 21 days is just for good measure.

You should see new hair growth starting in about 2 weeks or so after the first dose. Poor little guy must be miserable, glad you can help him!

Thanks,

I'm a retired vet, did some research with ivermectin back in the 80's. How do you dose the equine paste?

Gerry

[Nancy in New York]

I had a squirrel here 2 years ago with mange.
I treated it with liquid ivermectiin.
One drop from an insulin syringe on a shelled pecan, in the grooves,
every 12 days, for a total of 3 treatments.







Fur starting to come in better.








Day before the 3rd and final treatment.


About 5 days after final treatment.





From the Wild Mammal Baby Book.


A member wrote this post about dosing ivermectin in a wild squirrel. We made it a "sticky" here so it's easily accessible
but I'm posting it here for you.

the usual dose with the paste - the size of an uncooked rice grain, no more (but if much less - won't be effective). So you really have to be careful. I literally had to get a few rice grains, pick the average (not the biggest and not the smallest) and match the dose.

You can lodge the dose in the nut grooves - pecans and walnuts work well. personally, sometimes I ever so slightly carve a groove especially on a walnut. I noticed that squirrels tend no to eat the "peel" on walnuts (almonds and even hazelnuts sometimes) - you know, that brownish "skin" on the kernel. I saw often how they sort of "peel" it off and eat just the kernel. So, just in case, I remove that "skin/peel," carve slightly and put the dose.

The course - 3 treatments spaced 7-10 days apart. If you go longer than that between doses (say, 12 days) - it may not be effective as the med affects the cycles of the parasites and timing is important. Don't go 6days - may be too early and hence toxic.

If there is no significant improvement after one course - take a 2 week break and repeat the course.

Important: do not give oral ivermectin to neuro squirrels as it worsens neuro issues significantly. Neuro issues include but are not limited to: wobbliness, head tilts, any degree of unsteadiness, tremors and so on.
Look very closely because sometimes slight tremors may not be noticeable right away especially if you are not used to noticing them.

Ivermectin is very potent and easy to overdose. When overdosed it is toxic and can be fatal. So be very careful.

When done correctly, it works - I've done it myself. Just be careful.

If you have more than one squirrel to treat - when you toss medicated nuts, make sure the same squirrel doesn't get a medicated nut twice during the same treatment - will be fatal.

[TubeDriver]

Thanks Nancy! I was going with the quick and dirty dosing but that page from the WBM is much better.

I had a squirrel here 2 years ago with mange.
I treated it with liquid ivermectiin.
One drop from an insulin syringe on a shelled pecan, in the grooves,
every 12 days, for a total of 3 treatments.







Fur starting to come in better.








Day before the 3rd and final treatment.


About 5 days after final treatment.





From the Wild Mammal Baby Book.


A member wrote this post about dosing ivermectin in a wild squirrel. We made it a "sticky" here so it's easily accessible
but I'm posting it here for you.