Dear rehabbers,
In 35 years I've never known a Boston Public Garden squirrel to show or survive a case of sarc. mange, usually not sarcoptic at all. It began 1 1/2 weeks ago as dull hair and looked like a few scrapes..nothing abnormal for a 70-20 degree season of moisture, and fungal issues. Suddenly skin thickening, tumors, white barnical crust covered him. No finding Ivirmectin in this area, so ordered it but could not wait. Still never showed up. Went to get it far away and admined a dose Wed. He is STILL alive. I made nutrition balls packed with food he loves..this is NOT a squirrel that can be captive...too long a story but known this 1/2 blind, stump tail alpha for many years,. Constitution of an ox. By Friday more weight loss, but suddenly yesterday big thick lump off. Open pink skin where thick skin was, less hair, hungry, eating, spry...very bald, but tumors looks smaller, climbing up his tree, looks like hell but what do you think? Has the 1st dose allowing him to pick off the mites, open the blisters of larvae...or just scraping due to itching? A second dose, if he makes it, will get the eggs. Is this raw skin a good or bad sign? Is Ivermectin working??? Or is he just ripping skin off??? If ANY squirrel is a survivor it's this guy!!! Again, never seen a case this badly developed and local MA rehabbers I had one simple question blew me off completely, sent email after email of how busy she is..could have answers in one min. Tufts would kill him, everyone does 'baby care' sanctuary's full or won't take adults, risk contagious infest. I was shocked by the NEWARC member that was so uninterested...