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[pyxiwulf]

So, I'm not a vegan, but I joined this community because it is wonderfully educational. Now, I have an issue, that you all may be able to help me with

Comments

[dagda_ollathir]

Mebbe he has rabies? I know that in some other animals, being "friendly" is a sign of rabies.

[pyxiwulf]

that's one of the things I was concerned about

[tarwatersghost]

Actually, squirrels are infrequent carriers of rabies. The thing to worry about with them is that squirrel bites can be deep and can get dreadfully infected.

[pyxiwulf]

my mother was bitten by one when she was about my daughter's age, it's one of those stories you grow up on and then get paranoid on :) of course, according to the story, my mother was harrassing that squirrel

[vaalea]

many city squirrels are fed by animal lovers and lose their fear of humans.... there are many parks in this city where squirrels will come right up once they find out you have food for them

[vaalea]

I think the spray bottle technique would work... unless he likes it. =0)

and re the rabies... here is an interesting stat: "But the most important statistic we learned was this: of the 1,167 squirrels tested after biting humans in Massachusetts over a 10-year period, none had come back positive for rabies. Zero. Zip. Nada."
http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:_yPKtsHj0fIJ:www.andycarvin.com/archives/2004/09/breaking_news_m.html+squirrel+rabies&hl=en&gl=ca&ct=clnk&cd=6

[pyxiwulf]

he's beautiful! and what wonderful info, mange did cross my mind, but I wasn't too worried if it was that because it's just a bug like scabies or chiggers, been there done that :)

[redsea]

No one has mentioned this yet... but I bet the cutie squirrel has ringworm.
I do adoption counseling for a local no-kill cat shelter, and have learned a lot about ringworm and the signs of it...
although not sure if squirrels get it, but it is contractible to humans if you touch the squirrel and then don't wash
your hands...
So be careful. It's really nothing serious though... but I would bet that's what it is..

Maybe look into contacting a local rodent/feral rescue group, or have him checked out at a cheap vet clinic..
good luck : )

[pyxiwulf]

thanks, I'm definately going to see what I can find out about rescue groups around here for this little one

[azurechaos]

bare patches of skin on the back means ringworm? seems like it could me multiple things