Mange Treatment For Squirrels

PLEASE NOTE: Before ordering Ivermectin to treat Mange in Squirrels, make sure that you are treating Mange, as opposed to a skin fungus that is common in late Winter/ early Spring. I recently did a Blog about "Skin Conditions In Squirrels," you can access it HERE.

Also note that Ivermectin Paste should NOT be used on baby squirrels. The dose needed for them would be so miniscule, that it would be impossible to measure. A drop of puppy or kitten flea drops on the back of the neck has been recommended by many Vets as a better alternative.

Mange in squirrels is caused by an itch mite called Sarcoptes scabiei , a tiny insect that burroughs under the skin to feed on the blood of the animal. Female mites will lay their eggs, and when hatched, adds to the misery and intense itching that a squirrel experiences when infested with these vermin. One of the physical dangers to squirrels, besides loss of body hair and the possibility of skin infection, is that the mites consume blood and can drop the squirrel's hemoglobin count,( make them anemic,) and lower their resistance to disease. Anemia can cause squirrels to lose their defensive edge due to lack of energy and make them more vulnerable to predation and attacks from other squirrels who sense their weakness.

There are natural and conventional treatments for mange. I've heard from other squirrel caretakers that natural treatment for mange in squirrels consists of topical application of a strong solution of Ionic Silver, plus nutritional support of the squirrel's immune system by proper feeding and supplements such as Nut Squares, or Squirrel Veggie Squares. Natural treatment is reserved for squirrels who are in captivity, or released squirrels who don't mind being handled, because it is nearly impossible to put topical solutions on a wild or released squirrel, unless you have a really close and trusting relationship with that squirrel in the wild.

The conventional treatment for mange in squirrels consists of obtaining some Ivermectin, either from your Vet, purchasing online, or over the counter. You only need a minute quantity of Ivermectin paste, placed on a walnut or pecan nut meat, and fed once a week for 3 weeks.

The first dose will kill any living mites feeding on the blood of the squirrel. The second dose will kill any new hatch lings. And the remaining dose will kill any mites that are living in their den or dray that are late in getting aboard.

As to the amount to use, it would be impossible to describe. I cannot prescribe an amount, but I can show you how much I have successfully used for years, and let you draw your own conclusion as to the amount you want to try. ( See picture below) I often describe it as half a drop, but being a paste, it doesn't drip. I use a wooden match stick and dip it 1/4 inch into the paste to pick up what would look like a half drop.

Disclaimer: The above treatment(s) are in no way a prescribed treatment, but merely a report of what I have found to work on wild squirrels. Always check with a licensed Veterinarian before instituting any treatments on any animal. I am very fortunate to have a Vet that treats wild squirrels, but unfortunately, a majority of Veterinarians will not see or take care of them.

Ivermectin Paste can be purchased over the counter in any Farm Store, (like TSC,) in the horse section. If you don't want to purchase huge, horse size dose, you can purchase a squirrel sized dose here on this page, that is more than enough to treat a whole yard full of squirrels.

Don't let the tiny size of the container fool you. There is 1cc of Ivermectin in our containers. 1cc is the equivalent of 16 drops, so there is enough Ivermectin in this container to treat over 30 squirrels!

Only $4.95 plus shipping. (US orders only)

Please Note: We are unable to ship Ivermectin outside the United States!...Sorry!