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History:
Eastern Gray Squirrel, Molting or with Mange (#2571)
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picture date: 2002-11-17 (email to request a print)
description
He is outside mt patio door, looking at me and my camera.
links
- Gray Squirrel Nature Snapshot from the Minnesota DNR
- Mange info from Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources
comments
Lisa Portland, OR -- 2004-02-08
I found this photo while searching for skin diseases on squirrels. It is February here now, and one of our regular backyard squirrels looks like this picture! It isn't fall molting; it has to be mange. I am wondering if he is doomed...
Stella Illinois -- 2004-02-16
I also found this site while looking for squirrel diseases. We have a brown squirrel that comes on our balcony and he/she has some bald spots on its upper legs, belly and part of its back. It's still cold here and I'm kinda worried this little guy may get hypothermia. I would knit him a little coat if he would wear it!!
Chris Gregerson Minneapolis, MN -- 2004-02-16
I see squirrels with missing fur so often now, I've given up trying to figure out the various causes.
I have been convinced a squirrel has mange, but then see there are bite marks at the center and it appears to be from an attack. Most have recovered their fur and I never know the cause.
Larry Gaylor Lyndhurst, OH -- 2004-02-18
Have observed at least three squirrels in the yard since January 1 with missing fur. They all were getting bald around the head and shoulders. This morning when I went out for the paper, I saw tufts of squirrel fur all over the snow. Haven't seen two of the squirrels in about two weeks. Are they gone to squirrel heaven? The third one is still very active and eating tons of sun flower seeds, but it is also very restless. Is it doomed?
Ashley University of Wisconsin-Stout -- 2004-03-25
I have found this wedsite also by looking at squirrel diseases. I am worried and curious about the nakes squirrels that me and a friend see on the way to and from classes. We thought it would be interesting to find out why these little guys and girls are balding in some spots. We thought it might be due to the nasty waters that we have around here, but now I understand that it may be from mange or attacks. Thanks, and lets hope they get their furs back!
Squirrel lover Madison -- 2004-03-30
There's a site that says that the hair loss is because of a mange that is caused by mites.
Margaret L. SanAntonio, Tx -- 2004-04-11
I have been hand feeding "Mama" squirrel for about 3 years. The past few weeks her hair has thinned, and she has scratched herself raw in places. She has also become very thin, and visits via the ground more than by tree. I think her days are numbered and I am going to miss her visits.Letting nature run its course is very hard sometimes.
Karen Illinois -- 2004-05-05
If there is a website about squirrel parasites and how to treat them, please let me know. I have a mother squirrel who is almost bare.....she keeps scratching herself and just about all of her fur is missing. She has a couple of bloody open wounds where she has scratched so much. She is extremely friendly and I can go right up to her and feed her. I notice there are elongated parasites crawling on her skin. They're medium brown in color and long shaped (larger than a flea)
Acorn cleveland, OH -- 2004-05-19
Hi, I'm a squirrel who contracted mange when my foster mother released me into her backyard and I mingled with other infested squirrels. Under the guidance of the veterinarian she works with, my mom is treating me every 10 days with Ivermectin. It has been about four months and I look nearly gorgeous again. My mom and I are still good buds so she can easily inject me or just drop the medicine on my back. It works well for us. I just prefer to live outdoors while she stays inside. I know she'll always be there when I knock on the door for peanuts.
Dixieangel542 Old Town, Florida -- 2004-05-28
I am trying to find out what would cause a young squirrel to become parilized. She has been in a cage and really hasn't been in any contact with any other animals. Her cage is outside, but has rat wire around it. My friend recently started feeding her peanuts. Until then it has been sunflower seeds and crackers. It is only her hind legs. She still eats, but not like before. Does anyone have any ideas? Please email me with anything that might help.Thanks she is a little darling. dixieangel52@yahoo.com
Magie -- 2004-05-29
my 6 month old squirrel awoke with his hind legs paralized this morning. any ideas
Acorn Cleveland -- 2004-06-07
Try searching Chastek's paralysis. Most info is about ferrets but I have come across some sites that believe squirrels can be affected.
bnetto southcarolina -- 2004-09-21
I've been hand feeding squirrels in my yard for about a year now. Recently I've been seeing these " grape sized " tumor or abcess looking growths. Some individuals have as many as 5 of these. Could these be insect or spider bites? or worse? Any input would be welcome.
Ed Seven Valleys, Pa -- 2004-11-25
Each winter I feed approximately a dozen grey squirrels around my property. This year, I've noticed one squirrel who is having a tough time keeping his equilibrium. The "tipsy" squirrel otherwise seems to be in good shape with healthy bushy fur and proper weight. Sometimes he has to lay on his belly to eat a peanut because he can't stand erect for any reasonable period. Any one know what the problem could be? He's been that way for a couple of months. I can't imagine how he climb a tree without falling off.
Yana Illinois -- 2005-03-03
about the 'tumors': from looking at other websites about squirrels, I think it could be sqirrel pox, or fibroma. look, for examlple, on this site:
http://www.squirrel-rehab.org/rehabinfo/fibroma.shtml
George Wanish Manitowoc, Wisconsin -- 2005-03-17
In answer to "Ed" from Seven Valleys, Penna --- I too have at least 12 grey and black squirrels that I feed in my back yard and harbor in my big oak tree...One little guy also loses his equalibrium and simply falls over while eating and just lies there on his side --- he also runs in the snow for about 10 feet and then falls down again ---- the other squirrels pick on the little guy and try to chase him away from the feeder.. I called our Game Warden and he told me it is an incurable neurological disease and that it is a rather rare condition.
We try to keep it happy by supplying lots of food -- and a heated water dish so he can drink.
It is very saddening to watch the little guy struggle and be picked on --- but he seems relatively fine and can climb to his nest at the very top of our big oak.....If anyone is interested I can take some digital pictures --- I have many taken with my camcorder..
DANA DANIS MONTREAL QUEBEC, CANADA -- 2005-08-02
HI FRIENDS, WHEN SQUIRRELS ARE WEANED, IF NOT ON THE RIGHT DIET, THEY ALL GET CALCIUM DEFICIENCY!!DONT EVER GIVE UP ON A SQUIRREL THAT APPEARS TO BE AFFECTED, SQUIRRELS WILL MAKE A COMPLETE RECOVERY WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALCIUM. TRY REPTILE POWDER CALCIUM. AND MAKE SURE YOU USE MANY DIFFRENT FRUITS AND VEGGIES, AND SOME MONKEY BISCUITS. i NEVER HAD A SICK, OR DYING SQUIRRELS. GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!!!!! DANA
marianne chicago, illinois -- 2005-08-02
Very cute squirrel.
Regarding the missing hair/mange. This past year we moved here to Chicago from the West where we did not have squirrels. This past Winter when the weather turned very cold we started feeding the squirrels. After several weeks we were alarmed when we noticed that all the squirrels started losing their hair in clumps. We had assumed we should feed them peanuts. Concerned about what to do for our cute squirrels we started reseaching help for our little ones. We learned that giving squirrels only peanuts will lead to their hair falling out aka mange. We had forgotten that peanuts are legumes and not a nut. So we immedately stopped giving them peanuts and started giving them a variety of nuts including: walnuts, hazel nuts/fiberts, pecans, and almonds; along with apple pieces and grapes. Over the subsequent weeks we watched as the hair grew back on each and every one...even their skinny tails were once again fluffy. So the key is variety in their diets. Now we have very spoiled, healthy, and happy squirrels. Hope this helps.
Squirrel Charmer UK -- 2005-12-07
Squirrel food: Paralysis
I recently hand reared a baby squirrel and after extensive research found that you shouldn't give them too many peanuts or sunflower seed, especially while still growing, as there's not enough calcium for their bones and they get ill.
Stick to 'proper' (unsalted)nuts like walnuts, brazil etc. Almonds are highest in calcium.
Cheryl -- 2006-03-18
I raised an orphan squirrel for several months before releasing him in the wild. One day while he was still rather young, he appeared to be taking a seisure. He began clamping down on his tongue and jaw. I put a golfing tee across his teeth to prevent injurying his tongue. After his convulsions slowed down, I gave him several eydroppers of water. I believe he may have been poisoned as he was around a driveway with oil. However that is guessing. He was okay the next day. I got into contact with a lady who specializes in squirrels in the United States. She told me it may have been caused from a nutrient deficiency. Too many black oil sunflower seeds and/or peanuts and not enough variety in the diet. She said it may also be caused from not enough exposure to the sun. I went to the pet store and bought hampster liquid vitamin (a few drops in his fresh water) I also bought guinea pig calcium ice cream cones (came in strawberrry, vanilla and banana, and loaded up his diet with a nice variety of foods such as apple, banana chips, walnuts, almonds, filberts, grapes, broccoli, etc, etc...he was pretty spoiled. The pet store also had cones with different seeds and nuts which had a honey coating and he loved it. As he became older I started buying shelled nuts so he would get use to the nuts he would find when he was released. I never had another problem that way. Although after his release he contacted mange. This parasite burrowed under his skin causing him to itch so bad he lost a lot of fur on his back, and around his eyes. He developed scabbing from itching. I purchased Ivermectin (very potent) from a farm supply store (they carry it for cattle) and (as he was tame) I managed to put 2 tiny droplets on his back where it was bare. After 14 days I reapplied. The mange was gone within a month and his hair grew back completely. I have been told that Ivermectin can be given orally in peanut butter (apparantly tastes really bad) but remember it is potent so it was suggested only a very small couple of drops once every two weeks. I would suggest to everyone with any concerns to contact a wildlife center. Where I live Veterinarians are not legally allowed to treat wildlife. The humane society will contact the ministry of natural resources, who told me if I harbour a squirrel I can be charged and they will come out to uthanize the animal. A wildlife center is the best way to get any decent information in the best interest of the animal. And by the way it is legal to raise squirrels or other animals for a wildlife center. It is unfortunate that we still have poor representation from the ministry.
Jamie Welch Salem, AL -- 2006-10-03
I recently raised three baby gray squirrels. One day I think a couple of them got into a scuffle because I heard one squeeking and I ran into the room. They all seemed stirred up and one of the girls' back legs were paralyzed. She was shaking bad, and I did the best I could to comfort her. I put her in a little pin on a soft towel with some food and water, but when I came back later she was gone.
About four days ago I let the other two go outside in a squirrel house they had been using.
Now yesterday I got the boy away from a small dog that was "playing" with him under the tree. He is alive and doesn't seem to have any puncture wounds, but his back legs are paralyzed.
I read some of the comments about feeding squirrels a variety of food and not much peanuts, but that's the majority of what my squirrels eat. I am going to change his diet, but I really want to know is this:
Does this paralysis seem to be caused from shock or calcium defficiency? And most important IS IT TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT?
I would appreciate any suggestions. If you can tell me anything about this, please email me at dixiegirl0424@hotmail.com. Thank you very much.
Joey Iron Mountain, Michigan -- 2006-12-26
I found a little grey squirrel in the road today and couldn't leave it there. I don't know anything about squirrels and could use all the advise I can get at this point in time. He has some head trama, I am thinking he is, or will be blind. He shakes. He seems to be walking fine. I called the veterinarians in my area and they won't help him because he is from the wild. They wanted to put him down and I just couldn't see that happen. Should I put neosporin on his wounds? Once again any advise will be appreciated. Thank you
Amanda Marie
Shelby -- 2008-02-28
I have found a baby sqirrel that my dog has brought up and luckily i told her to spit it out.it has mud stains in its fur,its ear was tore,and he can't move his back legs.He will walk with his front legs and drag his back legs.I hope he will be OK.
Jessica Blanchard Massachusetts -- 2008-05-10
Help! I've found two baby squirrels, I don't know how old they are, or what to feed them. They came into my posession when their nest was destroyed due to tree killers. So far they have eaten grapes, bananas, and grain products. They have been drinking water out of my daughters play dishes. What should I do with them, and could they make my daughter sick if she handles them?
Giorgia DC -- 2008-07-13
When it comes to squirrels Clarissa Summers knows everything! www.hal-pc.org
Check out her website!
Linda North Carolina -- 2008-07-20
Whenever you find an orphaned or injured baby squirrel, please contact your vet or a licensed rehabilitator in your area.
Without proper care and the correct diet they can develop metabolic bone disease. Also avoid the temptation of feeding or giving them water. If in shock, chilled, or dehydrated you can make it worse.
Baby squirrels are also subject to bloating if overfed. Proper portions are calculated according to their weight and age.
If your vet cannot get you in touch with a licensed rehabilitator in your area, you can find one by searching on the internet.
This page last modified:2003-03-02