Baby Southern Flying Squirrel

[Sammy Foster Mom]

Hi, I am rehabbing a baby southern flying squirrel for about 2 weeks. He just opened his eyes yesterday and has been doing really well. About 2 days ago I noticed a bump on his thigh kind of like a pimple about the size of a pea. When you squeeze a little puss comes out. He also has same thing on his back/spine. I have been keeping him clean and applying neosporin. Any ideas of what it could be?

[Secret Squirrel]

Bot fly larva...I replyed to your other post about bot flys.:thumbsup

[Cindy G]

If it is a bot fly you do not want to kill the fly it could kill the baby.

[Sammy Foster Mom]

What should I do?

[Secret Squirrel]

Check this out :
http://botfly.ifas.ufl.edu/

[Secret Squirrel]

If it is a bot fly you do not want to kill the fly it could kill the baby.

Most mistakes are made when trying to remove the larva.
* Take the baby to a vet if you feel you MUST do something about the larva.
If squeezed like a pimple the surrounding fluid can get pushed into the babys system causing a multitude of problems. A secondary infection can be caused by squeezing the larve and crushing it while it's still inside the host, killing the larva and having it rot inside the host AKA your squirrel.

I would leave the lava alone and keep the surrounding area clean with peroxide and cotton balls. Let nature take it's course and squash that larva when it comes out :bash