Patches the Squirrel | Wildlife Rehabilitation | Dermatophytosis
Giving Patches some nut squares for his Dermatophytosis. Not to be confused with ringworm that carries the same name, dermatophytosis differs from Mange in that there is the absence of irritation, inflammation, crusting or rash. There is hair loss, but that is all. Dermatophytosis is caused by a fungus that attacks the shaft of the hair where it emerges from the skin. Since it attacks the hair and causes it to become brittle, the hair breaks off at the skin line and falls off leaving a bald area, but no obvious skin irritation. This condition is common in late Winter and early Spring.
The nut squares have a hefty helping of organic, cold pressed, non hydrogenated coconut oil which naturally has an extremely high amount of Lauric Acid in its chemical composition. The only other place in nature where Lauric Acid is found in such abundance is human breast milk. It is pretty amazing stuff with incredible antifungal properties.