Need Help

[Lisaatg1]

I live in Tampa Florida, I am not necessarily a squirrel lover but hate to see animals hurt. I have a squirrel family that has lived in our oak tree for years. Yesterday I was testing out my new camera lens and the squirrel happened to be in the yard. When I zoomed in on the photo I was horrified , it looks like there are terrible sores all over the head and neck of the squirrel. I originally thought a neighbors cat got it but this AM saw the
mate and they both have the same symptoms. I feel like these guys are part of our neighborhood and want to help, anything I can do. I am downloading pic off camera if anyone needs it let me know and I will post.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123
thinking maybe bot fly...
hoping not pox, maybe mating season abcess's...:dono
pics will help the rehabbers know what you are dealing with.
thank you for wanting to help!
:wave123

[Lisaatg1]

There are two different squrrels you can see on is far worse the the other116867

116868

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[PDXErik]

This kind of looks like Squirrel Pox. There was a thread about that in the non-life threatening board (IDK why it would be there) http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15897

Are you anywhere near Marion County?
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24409&highlight=marion

[Lisaatg1]

I'm in Hillsborough county about an hour south of Marion county. It does look like the other pics that were included in the link. There are several Healthy squirrels in the area I guess nothing I can do to prevent them from catching this? we also have a new neighbor that allows her cat to roam free and it will sit at the base of the tree waiting to chase these squirrels I am now afraid the cat might get a hold of them although they seem to still be moving pretty quickly. sorry if I am rambling just feel a little helpless

[Lisaatg1]

Well Logging off, waited on the forum for almost 5 hours for some assistance but guess nothing more I can do and no responses are coming back to my post. Like my husband said I did more then most people would have nature will have to take it's course.

[Jackie in Tampa]

They are Bot Fly warbles, looks as though some are empty and healing...
:nono bad neighbors!

[philomycus]

Sorry Lisa,

Please take into account that is is a holiday weekend, many people are traveling (like I was) and or feeding many many babies.

It looks like bot flys :( Short of catching them to help them, I dont think theres much you can do, but I've never dealt with bots on wild squirrels before- just babies that come to my care and have them.