Hello,

I am caring for a ~10 week old fox squirrel. When he came to me he was suffering a tail injury, was listless and underweight. After a week of antibiotics (.05cc Clavamox, 2x day), Alvin is gaining weight steadily and looks good in most regards. The new problem is hair loss on his face and forearms. At first I attributed this to spilled formula during feedings, as I wasn't very tidy at first. However, the hair loss is accelerating and I'm getting worried.

Alvin is now 180g, and drinking 8-15cc of Esbilac 3 x day. He is eating Zupreen biscuits, kale, fennel, sweet potato, egg and ground eggshell as well as veggie puree baby food. He has twigs and pinecones available to nibble, as well as a cuddlefish bone. I have just recently (today), removed an electric blanket from his nest box. It was wrapped in towels and on "low". His indoor cage is 2'x2'x3.5' with hammocks and branches. He climbs around it less than I expect, preferring to spend most of his time in the nest box.

The now exposed skin is reddish in places and looks a little inflamed.

Any thoughts ? Am I seeing a fungal infection due to too much moisture and warmth ? Maybe mites ? I don't suspect calcium deficiency in his diet, but welcome thoughts and suggestions.

A little background: Alvin was originally rescued by a friend as a ~4 week old, along with a nestmate. They were found on the ground after a tree was trimmed. The nestmate died at 6 weeks, and Alvin moved to my house at 7.5 weeks. At that point he was 70g. The tail injury happened somehow during transfer to my house.

I am not an experienced wildlife rehabilitator, but have successfully raised wild baby parrots for release in the past.

Thanks much !
Louise