AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Wildlife Center of Virginia) — On December 13, the Center admitted a Woodchuck from Staunton, Virginia, after being found with severe hair loss. The animal had been caught in a live trap by the property owner for relocation, but when the owner noticed that the Woodchuck was missing most of his fur, they brought him to the Center for evaluation.
Upon admission, the Woodchuck was alert, active, and feisty. During the veterinary exam, staff noted that his abdomen was distended and that approximately 90 percent of his hair was missing. To investigate the cause of the hair loss, the team performed a skin scrape test.
“We do see alopecia (hair loss) in groundhogs occasionally, most often caused by infectious diseases like mange or ringworm,” said Lilly Farmer, a Veterinary Technician Intern at the Center. “But in this case diagnostics did not reveal any infection, and his bloodwork looked normal, so we’re not entirely sure what caused the hair loss. We suspect it may be due to poor nutrition.”
During the past month, Center staff have offered the Woodchuck a varied, nutritious diet, including a mix of root vegetables, greens, and rodent chow. The team reports that the Woodchuck has been steadily improving, his fur has begun to grow back slowly…