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Date Posted: Thursday, July 15, 12:57:01am
Author: Jenna
Subject: Tinactin

Hi,

I have a flying squirrel that is going bald in areas. Someone suggested that I use Tinactin to cure it...Is that safe to use on flying squirrels???

Thanks,
Jenna

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Replies:

[> Re: Tinactin -- Judy C., Friday, July 16, 01:27:25am

Hi Jenna,
I personally would be very hesitant about using something like that without talking to a good vet first. Flyers do an awful lot of grooming, so would probably ingest a fair amount of it. You might want to post your question on the other two boards as well as this one, to get as many opinions as possible. Good luck, and keep us posted, and let me know if I can do anything to help.
Judy



>Hi,
>
>I have a flying squirrel that is going bald in areas.
>Someone suggested that I use Tinactin to cure it...Is
>that safe to use on flying squirrels???
>
>Thanks,
>Jenna

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[> [> Tinactin is an antifungal solution. I think, unless you know for a fact that ... -- Beverly, Friday, July 16, 08:27:50am

>Hi Jenna,
>I personally would be very hesitant about using
>something like that without talking to a good vet
>first. Flyers do an awful lot of grooming, so would
>probably ingest a fair amount of it. You might want to
>post your question on the other two boards as well as
>this one, to get as many opinions as possible. Good
>luck, and keep us posted, and let me know if I can do
>anything to help.
>Judy
>
>
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I have a flying squirrel that is going bald in areas.
>>Someone suggested that I use Tinactin to cure it...Is
>>that safe to use on flying squirrels???
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Jenna

(Tinactin is an antifungal solution. I think, unless you know for a fact that ...) your flyer has ringworm, and as Judy wrote, unless a vet has helped with the decision, here, I would NOT use a prep like Tinactin on a flyer. Checking the site RXMed - Tinactin, there is a specific warning, regarding this product: Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes. Do not inhale powder preparations. The aerosol product warns against inhaling the vapor. I cannot imagine how you would be able to keep a flyer from ingesting this product, and the thought of a flyer getting this stuff in their eyes is alarming. So I'm with Judy. I would not use such a product on a flyer.

The most common causes of hair loss right down to the skin are simple friction and excessive grooming. If your flyer has significant hair loss in multiple locations, then I would recommend a vet to help diagnose the cause. If the skin shown by the 'bald' areas is unblemished (not red or oozing or flaking), I would vote 'against' a bacterial or fungal cause, and consider possible Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, which is most often caused by boredom, and is shown by excessive grooming, which will cause friction hair loss. If the areas are small, then it might still be friction hair loss, as most caged flyers will establish a 'pattern' path for exercise, and will often be coming in contact with the exact same place in the cage, causing the hair to rub off. Try changing the placement of cage 'playground apparatus', or try adding some, if your flyer's quarters are not so equipped. A simple pair of toddler's 'farmer bib' overalls, with plenty of pockets, can be enough to keep a flyer occupied for hours. Remember, a flyer does need 'out of cage' exercise, unless your cage is already very large (say 6' x 4' x 2', or so, with some branches for climbing, and perhaps a wrodent style wheel for exercise (not my favourite thing, but others tell me their flyers just love them!).

I highly recommend you join the National Flying Squirrel Association, as they have lists of flyer friendly vets, and also have ready access to people ready and willing to offer suggestions for problems similar to what your flyer is experiencing. Good luck with your flyer, and do let us know how things turn out, Jenna!

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