Can Squirrels Get Mange? Guide to This Skin Disease

Squirrels are extremely common sights in parks, backyards, and wooded areas. But you may occasionally spot squirrels with thinning fur, bald patches, irritated skin, and other disturbing symptoms.

This may be an indication the squirrels have developed mange – a highly contagious skin disease resulting from mites that feed on skin tissue. If left untreated, mange can be fatal for squirrels.

So what exactly is mange and should you be concerned about potential infection? Can squirrels recover and does mange pose risks for other wildlife, pets, and even people?

This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about mange in squirrels – the causes, transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention recommendations.

We’ll also address common questions like:

• What does a squirrel with mange look like?
• Is squirrel mange contagious to humans and pets?
• Can grey squirrels and other tree squirrels get mange?
• Does mange eventually go away in squirrels on its own?

Can Squirrels Get Mange? 

Yes, squirrels can get mange. Mange is a skin disease caused by mites that affects many mammals. Squirrels most commonly get sarcoptic mange, which causes intense itching, hair loss, and scabbing.

An infected squirrel may lose much of its fur and appear disheveled. The mite spreads by close contact and can infect foxes, coyotes, wolves and domestic dogs in addition to squirrels.

What is Mange?

Mange refers to a highly contagious skin disease resulting from an infestation of the Sarcoptes scabiei or Notoedres centrifera mites on squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, foxes and other wildlife.

These microscopic mites bite and burrow into the skin and create tunnels where they feed on skin cells and lay eggs.

This causes severe irritation and itchiness. As the mites rapidly multiply, an infected animal will scratch relentlessly, causing wounds that crust over with scabs. Hair loss typically occurs as well, resulting in bald patches. Left untreated, severe mange can ultimately be fatal.

There are different forms of mange:

Sarcoptic mange

Caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Most common type of mange in canidae species like dogs, coyotes and foxes. Also affects squirrels, rabbits and other wildlife.

Notoedric mange

Caused by the Notoedres centrifera mite. Primarily impacts squirrels and rabbits. Highly contagious and fatal if untreated.

Otodectic mange 

Affects the skin of the outer ear canal. Rare in squirrels.

Both Sarcoptic and Notoedric mange are extremely contagious to squirrels through close contact. They also pose risks for other wildlife, pets, and livestock. Prevention focuses heavily on population control and avoiding crowded feeding situations that promote transmission.

What Does Mange Look Like in Squirrels?

Squirrels with mange suffer from intensely irritated skin and progressive hair loss. Symptoms typically first appear on the squirrel’s tail and hind legs before spreading over the entire body. Signs to look for include:

Severe hair loss and thinning fur

Diffuse hair loss is usually the first noticeable sign, often beginning at the base of the tail. The coat becomes sparse and thin, exposing reddened skin underneath. Eventually it can progress to near total baldness.

Flaky, crusted lesions on the skin 

Small scabs from intense scratching form crusty patches on the skin that flake off. The exposed skin becomes hardened and thick.

Intense scratching/itching 

Due to severe discomfort from skin irritation, infected squirrels constantly scratch themselves which accelerates hair loss.

Slowed movements/lethargy

Sick squirrels may spend more time resting as the infection drains energy needed for foraging. Significant weight loss often occurs.

Scaly skin and open wounds 

In advanced cases, the skin takes on a thick, scaly texture. Scratching wounds may ooze.

A squirrel with mange often appears disheveled and scruffy looking compared to a healthy squirrel with a full, lush coat. Seeking prompt veterinary care is critical the sooner mange is detected in squirrels to prevent worsening of symptoms.

Related Post: Wobbly Squirrel Syndrome

Are Grey Squirrels and Other Tree Squirrels Susceptible?

All species of tree squirrels can contract mange, however grey and fox squirrels seem most prone to infection. Outbreaks causing dramatic population impacts have occurred in:

Grey squirrels

Grey squirrels appear highly vulnerable to mange mites, with outbreaks documented across England, Ireland, Italy, and Canada. High population density promotes mange transmission.

Fox squirrels 

Large mange epidemics in Midwestern fox squirrels have stemmed from Sarcoptes scabiei mites. Mangy fox squirrels also pose infection risks for red squirrels when in shared habitat.

Red squirrels

While mange is rarer in American red squirrels, their UK counterparts have suffered major population declines from squirrelpox and mange infections transmitted from invasive grey squirrels.

Flying squirrels

Southern flying squirrels in the United States have contracted Notoedric mange. Hair loss and scaly skin around the eyes and muzzle were reported in Georgia.

The rapid spread of mange through urban squirrel populations demonstrates the need for wildlife management intervention including mange treatment support.

Unchecked mange could severely impact fragile conservation populations like the UK’s red squirrels.

Related Post: What to Do If You Find a Baby Squirrel

Is Squirrel Mange Contagious to Other Animals and Humans?

The mange mites afflicting squirrels can spread to other hosts under the right conditions. However the degree of risk varies by species:

Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are prone to sarcoptic mange transmitted from wildlife reservoirs like foxes or coyotes.

Contact with mangy squirrels is an additional pathway for mite exposure.

In pets, signs include intense itching, hair loss, and crusty skin lesions typically starting on the elbows and ears.

Seek prompt vet care to provide anti-parasitic dip treatments.

Rabbits

Rabbits are highly susceptible hosts for the Notoedres mange mite which can pass from squirrels.

Sheltered domestic rabbits should avoid contact with wildlife. Monitor for hair loss.

Birds

Nesting songbirds like chickadees may pick up mange if using a nest box previously occupied by an infected squirrel.

Clean out nest boxes thoroughly before the nesting season.

Humans

Humans can theoretically contract a short-lived form of mange with itchy bumps.

However squirrel mange rarely transfers to human skin.

Wear gloves when handling wildlife as a safety precaution.

By supporting squirrel rehabilitation and population control, the risks of mange transmission to other species can be reduced through containment of outbreaks.

Related Post: Can You Keep a Squirrel as a Pet

How is Mange Treated in Squirrels?

Treating severe mange in free-ranging wildlife poses challenges due to difficulties capturing and medicating wild squirrels. Mild cases may self-resolve, but the mites can persist in the environment and reinfect untreated squirrels.

Rehabilitation centers are best equipped to provide appropriate care:

Medical baths – Submerging mangy squirrels in anti-parasitic solutions like lime sulfur dip helps kill mites on contact. Multiple baths are required.

Ivermectin injections – Broad spectrum anti-parasitic injection shown to effectively treat mites and worms. Must be administered by vet.

Cages rest – Allowing infected squirrels a supervised rest period reduces stress levels and chance of reinfection.

Supportive wound care and nutritional support are also provided before working to gradually release recovered squirrels.

However euthanasia may be considered the most ethical option if the mange has progressed to severely compromise quality of life despite treatment attempts. There is no guarantee rehabilitation will be successful if the infection is too advanced.

Does Mange Go Away On Its Own in Squirrels?

While mild cases of mange may occasionally self-resolve in squirrels, moderate to severe infections often prove fatal if left untreated. Considering the extreme discomfort caused by legions of mites burrowing into skin, dying from mange represents an inhumane fate.

Even squirrels that did manage to recover naturally would still harbor mange mites at low levels. These could flare up again under stressful conditions like winter weather or additional infections. The mites also spread easily when squirrels congregate at concentrated food sources.

Allowing mange cases to persist increases risks to pets and ultimately human health if the contagion spreads between backyards. So community public health relies on squirrel rehabilitators to contain mange.

Unfortunately mange can reoccur if underlying environmental factors supporting mite transmission are not controlled, emphasizing the need for coordinated long-term wildlife health management.

Related Post: Do Squirrels Lose Their Tails

Preventing Mange in Squirrels

While sporadic mange cases will likely persist in wildlife, the following prevention tips can reduce risks and limit outbreak severity:

Limit food sources

Avoid feeding squirrels directly by hand or concentrated piles of nuts in one spot. This promotes concerning congregation behaviors.

Use spaced out bird feeders so squirrels must forage naturally.

Clean up debris/nesting sites

Reduce available nesting spots by trimming branches away from buildings and clearing out accumulated debris piles.

Disinfect or replace nest boxes if needing to evict a mangy squirrel from a site.

Monitor pets

Check dogs and cats frequently for any signs of hair loss or skin issues indicating mange.

Schedule regular flea, tick and mite prevention treatments with your veterinarian.

Support wildlife rehab

Don’t attempt to handle or treat sick squirrels on your own. Call professionals.

Consider volunteering, donating funds, or raising community awareness.

Educate neighbors

Inform others in your neighborhood about risks from wildlife feeding.

Share tips on recognizing and reporting mangy squirrels.

It takes a coordinated community effort between residents, rehabbers, veterinarians, and city wildlife authorities to stay vigilant against outbreaks. Pay attention to squirrel health in your neighborhood and reach out for help when needed!

FAQ

What can I give a squirrel for mange?

Do not attempt to treat a mangy squirrel on your own. Call a wildlife rehabilitator. They can legally provide injectable ivermectin or lime sulfur dips along with supportive care. Feeding an infected squirrel will make mange worse.

What does a squirrel look like with mange?

A squirrel with mange will have significant hair loss, scabbed and thickened skin, and constant itching/scratching due to the mite infection burrowed into their skin. Advanced mange causes near total baldness, lethargy, and emaciation.

Is squirrel mange contagious to humans?

It is very rare for humans to catch mange from squirrels but take precautions. The mites prefer animal hosts and human skin temperature is too low. Wear gloves if handling wildlife. At worst, a human may experience temporarily itchy bumps that resolve.

Can squirrels have scabies?

It’s unlikely. Scabies in humans is caused by the highly species-specific Sarcoptes scabiei mite variant hominis.

Other animal variants like Sarcoptes scabiei canis tend to only spread between certain mammals. But squirrel mange is clinically similar to human scabies.

Do squirrels survive mange?

Without rehabilitation assistance, many squirrels die from mange. But wildlife centers have decent success treating mangy squirrels through methods like ivermectin injections, if detected early before advanced skin infection occurs. Supporting rehabbers is key.

What kills mange fast?

For squirrels, ivermectin injections effectively kill mange mites faster than topical treatments. But the injections must be administered by licensed rehabbers. Maintaining the treatment timeframe is critical as well to combat the mite lifecycle. There are no reliable home remedies.

Conclusion

Mange represents a severe threat to squirrels given how intensely uncomfortable and contagious the infection is. All species of tree squirrels are at risk, with grey and fox squirrels most prone to major outbreaks.

Distinguishing mange early on and supporting wildlife rehabilitator care offers the best chance for recovery.

While mild cases may occasionally self-resolve, moderate to severe mange often proves fatal if left untreated because the mites persist in the environment.

Allowing uncontrolled infections also increases risks for pets and humans.

With proper management of environmental factors like nesting sites and feeding behaviors that promote mite transmission between squirrels, the severity of outbreaks can be reduced. But vigilance is key as mange remains an ever-present threat.

So keep an eye out for mangy squirrels in your neighborhood showcasing symptoms like hair loss and itchy skin.

Call your local rehabilitation center if you spot any severely afflicted individuals in need of expert care.

With compassion from informed residents, we can help squirrels suffering from this miserable skin condition.