How to Help Squirrel With Hair Loss 
You can start by looking for bald spots on a captive squirrel. If you see broken hairs, then it is Dermatophytosis. If you notice a large bald spot in your squirrel, it could be a sign of other problems as well, such as dietary problems or Notoedric mange. To help you diagnose the problem, tug the hairs along the edges of the bald spot.
Notoedric mange
Notoedric mange is a serious disease of a squirrel, with the entire body covered in thinning hair. The symptoms include skin thickening and irritation, hair loss, and foul-smelling crusts. This disease is especially dangerous to red foxes, and in advanced cases the affected animals can become emaciated. There are two types of treatment: natural and conventional.
Notoedric mange is not contagious to humans, but it has important impacts on cats and squirrels. It is caused by a mite known as Notoedres cati, which is common in Europe, North America, and Africa. During the winter months, mange can lead to severe hair loss and reduced reproductive performance. In addition, mite infestations can cause significant damage to birds, causing lower growth and nutritional requirements, and even death.
Dermatophytosis
You can use colloidal silver to kill the mites. Colloidal silver weakens the cell walls of mite eggs, which then allows killer T-cells to attack and kill the larvae. Ivermectin, a powdered form of ivermectin, can also be applied to a walnut or pecan nutmeat. Squirrels can be treated with this treatment by feeding them this nutmeat once a week for three weeks. Dermatophysis in squirrels is caused by a fungal infection, or dermatophytosis, and it’s often triggered by warm, wet environments, especially when the weather gets too hot.
Some squirrels develop a fungal infection called dermatophysis, which causes hair to fall out at the skin’s surface. This type of fungal infection is temporary, and the animal’s immune system usually fights it off. Luckily, the hair grows back afterward. The afflicted squirrels have patches of bare skin where the hair falls out and is replaced with fine stubble.
Hypoprotinuria
Hair thinning and hair loss in squirrels are often caused by hypoprotinuria, or a lack of high-quality protein in the diet. While we think of squirrels as strictly herbivores, they have been known to raid bird nests for eggs and young birds. As such, they often cross over the line of dietary protein. In some cases, hypoprotinuria can help squirrels with hair loss.
This disease results in hair thinning and loss in the body and tail of the animal. This condition is most common in red foxes, which usually have bare skin and hair loss on their tails. In most cases, the hair will regrow, but the animal may experience embarrassment and suffer from the resulting loss of appearance. Regardless of the cause, hypoprotinuria can help squirrels with hair loss.
Dietary problems
Squirrels can suffer from a variety of dietary problems, including thinning hair, and a lack of Calcium. Whether it is a lack of calcium in their diet or exposure to natural light on a daily basis, this problem can negatively affect their health. So, what should you feed your squirrel? Here are some ideas. These dietary changes will help your squirrels become more healthy and stronger.
For one, Squirrels with hair loss may have dermatophytosis, a fungus that attacks the hair shaft as it emerges from the skin. The resulting infection leads to brittle hair and bald patches. The good news is that this condition is not fatal and will go away on its own over time. The bad news is that your squirrel is probably more prone to getting it if warmer weather is in the forecast.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations for squirrel hair loss have been discussed for years. One possible treatment is the use of a squirrel pox vaccine. However, this would be impractical for free-living animals. The good news is that there are other diseases that affect red squirrels that do not cause as much hair loss. These diseases include tick-borne diseases and a variety of parasites. Listed below are a few of the more common ones.
The main cause of squirrel hair loss is a superficial fungal infection known as dermatophytoses. Infected squirrels shed their hair by breaking them off at the skin and leaving a fine stubble of short hairs. Some outbreaks are associated with damp weather. The wet autumn this year may have exacerbated the problem. Most animals will recover once the fungal infection is treated. Vaccinations for squirrel hair loss should not affect the health of the entire population.
Colloidal silver
Squirrels depend on their tails for daily activities, survival and mating, and sometimes they lose them accidentally or in fights. If you want to prevent your squirrel from losing their tail, you can treat it with colloidal silver. The metal is a natural antifungal and it will treat your squirrel’s hair loss problem. The best way to do this is to apply 40 mg/ml of colloidal silver to the affected area every morning. Then, after the day’s treatment, you can let the squirrel regrow hair.
Squirrel hair loss can occur from several causes, including disease, parasites, fungi, and repeated physical activity. In severe cases, hair loss can occur on the entire body, including the tail. Some squirrels experience bald patches or develop thick, dark skin as a result of this problem. If you notice that your squirrel is eating well, that is a good sign. If your squirrel has lost a lot of hair recently, it may be suffering from a fungal infection.
What are some potential causes of hair loss in squirrels?
Potential causes of hair loss in squirrels can include parasites malnutrition stress and certain medical conditions.
How can you tell if a squirrel is experiencing hair loss?
You may notice patches of hair loss on the squirrel’s body or the squirrel may appear overall scruffy and unkempt.
Is hair loss in squirrels a serious problem?
While hair loss isn’t usually life-threatening it can lead to secondary infections and make the squirrel more vulnerable to predators and the elements.
What can you do to help a squirrel with hair loss?
If you suspect that the squirrel’s hair loss is due to parasites you can treat the squirrel with an anti-parasitic medication.
If the hair loss is due to malnutrition you can try feeding the squirrel a nutritious diet.
If the hair loss is due to stress you can try to provide the squirrel with a calm and safe environment.
Should you take a squirrel with hair loss to the vet?
If you’re not sure what’s causing the hair loss or if the hair loss is severe you should take the squirrel to the vet for a check-up.
What are some potential complications of hair loss in squirrels?
Secondary infections are a potential complication of hair loss in squirrels.
Can hair loss in squirrels be prevented?
Some causes of hair loss such as parasites and certain medical conditions can’t be prevented.
However good nutrition and low stress levels can help to prevent hair loss due to malnutrition and stress.
What is the prognosis for squirrels with hair loss?
With treatment most squirrels with hair loss will make a full recovery.
Will hair loss in a squirrel grow back?
In most cases yes.
How long does it take for hair loss in squirrels to grow back?
It can take several weeks to several months for hair to grow back.
Do all squirrels with hair loss need treatment?
No some squirrels with hair loss will improve on their own.
However if the hair loss is severe or if you’re not sure what’s causing it you should take the squirrel to the vet for a check-up.
What is the best way to prevent hair loss in squirrels?
The best way to prevent hair loss in squirrels is to provide them with a healthy diet and low stress levels.
What should you do if you see a squirrel with hair loss?
If you see a squirrel with hair loss you should take it to the vet for a check-up.
Do all squirrels lose hair?
No only some squirrels lose hair.
What do experts say is the best way to help a squirrel with hair loss?
If you’re not sure what’s causing the hair loss or if the hair loss is severe you should take the squirrel to the vet for a check-up.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
