How to Help Your Squirrel With Hair Loss 
Are you wondering how to help your squirrel with hair loss? Here are a few tips. If your squirrel is exhibiting a bald spot, tug on its hairs near the bald spot. If any of them break off, it is Dermatophytosis. To treat the condition, you may try Colloidal silver. Also, consider using Colloidal silver to reduce your squirrel’s dandruff.
Notoedric mange
Notoedric mange is a serious condition affecting gray and fox squirrels. It’s caused by a mite called sarcoptic mange, which burrows into the host’s skin. Infestations can cause hair loss and skin thickening, and sometimes lead to foul-smelling crusts or scabs. In severe cases, a fox will even become emaciated. In addition to hair loss, sarcoptic mange can cause eye and brain damage, and can be fatal to red foxes.
Humans can also contract the disease from infested animals. The most common sites of skin lesions are the hands and legs. Because humans cannot ingest the mites, prolonged exposure can lead to skin sensitization and intense itching. The infection is usually transmitted through contact with an infected animal, but it is not a serious concern if you’re handling an infected squirrel in your backyard.
Sarcoptic mange
The signs of sarcoptic mange are thinning hair and thick, flaky skin. In some cases, a foul-smelling exudate is present on the affected area. It is more severe in foxes than squirrels. In more advanced cases, the affected animal may be emaciated or even blind. During the life cycle of the mange mite, the female develops the disease in 13-16 days, while the male’s is 18-23 days.
Mites are common in animals and humans, but many species are susceptible to different types. Mites that infest birds and squirrels aren’t the same kind. Infested animals are more likely to get mange than healthy ones. It’s important to visit a wildlife veterinarian if you notice your pet squirrel with hair loss due to sarcoptic mange. A severe case can lead to hypothermia and infection.
Colloidal silver
Using colloidal silver to treat fur-thinning in squirrels can help them recover from fungal infections. It weakens the cell walls of the mite eggs, which in turn allows killer T-cells to attack the mite larvae. To feed your squirrel with colloidal silver, prepare a paste of Ivermectin and mix it with walnut or pecan nutmeat. This paste should be given to your squirrel once a week for three weeks. Squirrels commonly lose their hair due to fungal infection known as dermatophytosis, which occurs during unusual rainfall.
The condition Leggy had was extremely serious. It was inflamed, ulcerated and red. After using colloidal silver, she has recovered. Her hair has started to regrow. Colloidal silver can be purchased at many health food stores across the United States and on numerous websites. To see if colloidal silver can help your squirrels with hair loss, contact a health care professional for advice. You can use it as a home remedy or a preventative measure to avoid more serious health problems.
Lethargic behavior
Squirrels with lethargic behavior may also have a health problem. Some species of squirrels may have a parasite or suffer from an internal organ infection. In order to determine whether a squirrel has a health problem, check its behavior and hair for symptoms of disease. Lethargic behavior is often an indicator of illness and should be addressed immediately. If your squirrel exhibits these symptoms, consult a veterinarian.
Calcium treatment
If you’ve ever wondered what causes squirrel hair loss, consider dietary insufficiency. The squirrel’s body needs adequate amounts of calcium and is not producing enough of it. Ultimately, this results in weak progress of the hair and eventually hair fall out. The good news is that these problems are preventable with proper diet and exposure to sunlight every day. In addition to a proper diet, your squirrel also needs exposure to sunlight to grow a full coat of hair.
The first step in treating hair loss in a squirrel is to identify the cause. If you’ve noticed that the squirrel has an underlying medical issue, a veterinarian may be able to prescribe a medication. In addition to prescription medications, you can try calcium supplements and OTC meds for livestock. These products are not FDA approved. However, they may help your furry friend recover. Calcium treatment for squirrel hair loss
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.
