Please advise, released boy has terrible bot fly wounds ALL OVER...

[SquirrelLove]

My boy that was released this spring is terribly covered in BOT fly boils all over his body. Some have burst and pus and blood oozes from those wounds. He has about 5 or more boils on him on his back, under his neck, in his arm pit on his stomach and elsewhere. He is going bald from the digging and scratching. And people say these don't bother squirrels? I beg to differ.

I have recaptured him and I'm sure he's pissed. He's outside in a pre-release cage with food and water. He had come home to sleep in his old nesting box (his nest must have crashed again) and when he went into the cage to get a drink of water I shut the doors and put some cabbage, carrots, seed mixture, pecans, and almonds in there. I didn't have a bunch of fruit or veggies as - or should I say squirrel nutritious food as the babies I am rehabbing now are not old enough to eat solids. He's not mean, but he's definitley wild now and does NOT like to be handled. I was lucky to capture him because he'll come up to eat but is not loving anymore. But not mean - but I am sure he will not let me hold him!

WHAT should I do? Anne - can you give me the number of your vet again?
Thanks everyone!

[island rehabber]

Hate to ask this, but are you SURE these are bot flies and not pox?

[Jackie in Tampa]

we need pics Jo Anne...

[island rehabber]

I've always been under the impression that bot fly warbles appear one or two at a time.....not all over the squirrel. :thinking

[SquirrelLove]

I'm sure these are bot flies. I've dealt with them before just not so many on one poor squirrel. If I can get a metal cage or cat carrier my vet has agreed to see him before 5pm today or before 4pm tomorrow, no appointment needed. They want to make sure that if he has to have anesthesia that he'll have time to wake up before taking him home again. He's not too happy that he's locked in the cage again, but he has good food now and water and a nesting box inside it with fleece so he'll be okay until tomorrow. I'll try to get pictures, it will take a few moments though (it's 4:20 right now) as I have to go potty, throw some clothes into the dryer, and make sure that dinner is coming along before the hubby gets home from work. I'll be back soon with pictures I hope!
Hugs to all of you!
Joanne in Jax

[island rehabber]

:thumbsup Thank God you're in FLorida, and that you have an available vet! :thumbsup

[SquirrelLove]

PICTURES. These are blurry - some of them anywho, because he wouldn't quit moving. He's begging to be let back out of the cage and I feel so bad for him. Do you think I should take him to the vet? Or is he ok to be let out back into the wild?
115879

115880

115881

115882

115883

115884

115885

[SquirrelLove]

PS: Yes I know there is a towel in there. I don't dare take it out right now because he'll probably escape with the towel when the door is open. I had a towel by the OPEN door of the cage because the squirrels liked to come in from the rain and dry themselves off on it, the fleece doesn't dry as well. I do know better than to use towels - and I know I'm gonna hear about it lol! The towel will be removed when hubby comes home to move the cage inside to put him in a carrier - if I can just find one! I don't have anything right now grrr. Maybe tomorrow I'll have to go to the store and get a metal cage ... or toss the guinea pig in something else while I transport him.... him, never thought of that!

[SquirrelLove]

I took my boy to the vet today and had the bot fly larvae removed. A couple had already burst and there was nothing in them, and a few had larvae the size of quarters. He's weak and tired and PISSED at me for having to be in a cage again. The vet only charged me $27. and that's with anesthetic! She said to watch him for awhile because there was one place where they couldn't find the bot, but it was hard. Also he needs a few days to recover and be his old self before booting him back to the wild. I think I'll try and fatten him up some. He's sleeping now thank goodness. But boy oh boy he was pissed at me today for putting him in a tiny traveling cage! Then the water bottle I provided leaked ALL OVER the cage! Poor boy. His hair is falling out, I don't think he was getting much nutrition with all those bots eating him alive!
Hugs to all, and thank you to those that cared enough to try and advise - I REALLY appreciate it when someone takes the time to let me know their opinion, because every bit of help counts when it comes to my precious babies. (Okay, he's not a baby and he's quite wild now, but I still love him hehe)
Joanne in Jax