I have a gray squirrel coming to my bird feeder that has open leisions on his body. About 10 days ago I noticed two open leisions about 1/2" in diameter and having a small hole in the center on his flank. I thought perhaps another animal had sunk its canines into the squirrel and the squirrel had escaped. However, with continued observance, more leisions have appeared, all seeming to be open, not crusted over. A large one, on his cheek, covers about 1/3 of the facial area. I have another gray squirrel, presumably a litter mate, since they are marked the same, having reddish colored markings on the front half of the body and about the same size. They appear to be juveniles. I have 2 red fox squirrels who frequent the same feeder. The fox squirrels in the morning and the gray squirrels in the afternoon. My concern is that whatever the infected squirrel has will spread to the others. Should I put the infected squirrel out of his misery? And what is this condition? I researched mange, but the mange articles do not mention the open lesions. I live on a large, rural acreage, and I don't want this spread to other animals. Thanks for your time, Reitha Jacobs Salem, MO rjacobs@fidnet.com
