Squirrel With Abscess Lower Cheek/Neck

[Stanley]

Hi. I am looking for advice on a park squirrel neaby to my home (in a semi urban area). The squirrel has an abscess on the left lower cheek or jowel area that has gotten larger in the past week.

I do not see any teeth jutting out, and the squirrel, just about adult size, has a piece of a tip of his/her ear missing. So maybe an injury (a few people here seem to like harassing and attacking squirrels with their dogs) or else maybe malocclusion?

Two questions: What kind of AB should I use and how can I get it?

Also, I know of a vet 2 towns over who takes in SQLs and has offered to take a look at this little creature and treat him/her for a small donation. Problem is how to capture and transport over there. Someone will lend me a HaveAHeart trap, but don't even know how to select one squirrel (our park supports a LOT of interesting squirrels). Thanks for any help.

[4skwerlz]

How to Trap a Wild Squirrel:

You'll need a Hav-a-hart trap, medium size (at least 10" tall). Make sure you test it before you set it, to make sure you understand how it works and how to adjust the tension just right. Place it under "his" tree with the opening facing away from the trunk. You can cover the trap with branches, and also place some grass/leaves inside, but make sure they don't hinder the operation of the trap. Double check that no grass or twigs keep it from shutting. Test it several times in place to make sure. Bait it with an apple cut in half, spread with peanut butter, and peanuts stuck in the peanut butter. Make sure he can't reach the bait from OUTSIDE the trap between the bars. If the wrong squirrel gets in, just re-bait and re-set. If there is a large group of squirrels in the area, rather than re-setting every time the wrong squirrel gets in, you can prop up the door with a stick with a long string attached. Watch from a distance, holding the string. Keep adding bait as needed. When the RIGHT squirrel walks in, pull the string.

Make your vet appointment before you set the trap and cancel as needed. Ideally, once you trap the squirrel, you want to be able to leave immediately for the vet.

When you get him, immediately cover the trap with a dark-colored t-shirt, and bring it inside to a dark, quiet place until you're ready to go to the vet. Throw a few grapes in the trap; they love them and it's great hydration and calories.

When you're ready to go to the vet, start the car beforehand and turn on the a/c if necessary so the car isn't too hot, then place the trap in the back, still covered w/ the t-shirt. No music or talking. When you get to the vet, leave him in the car until he's ready to be seen, unless the weather is hot. In that case, you can ask the receptionist if there's an empty room where you can place the cage until the vet is ready to see the squirrel. A waiting room full of strange voices, ringing phones, and barking can be terrifying.

If the squirrel needs to be anesthetized to be examined and the vet doesn't have a gas chamber big enough to accommodate the trap, have them place a garbage bag around the trap and insert the gas nozzle to put him to sleep.

Hope this helps.

[Stanley]

Thanks very much for the info. One problem here is that it is a semi urban area and a lot of people walk through the area in question, so non-chalantly trapping a squirrel out in the open may invite a lot of questions or crowds. Also no chance for hiding trap under branches as parks attendants would have a fit.

But will try to adapt your advice to the situation. Thanks again.

[mugzeezma]

Hi. I am looking for advice on a park squirrel neaby to my home (in a semi urban area). The squirrel has an abscess on the left lower cheek or jowel area that has gotten larger in the past week.

I do not see any teeth jutting out, and the squirrel, just about adult size, has a piece of a tip of his/her ear missing. So maybe an injury (a few people here seem to like harassing and attacking squirrels with their dogs) or else maybe malocclusion?

Two questions: What kind of AB should I use and how can I get it?

Also, I know of a vet 2 towns over who takes in SQLs and has offered to take a look at this little creature and treat him/her for a small donation. Problem is how to capture and transport over there. Someone will lend me a HaveAHeart trap, but don't even know how to select one squirrel (our park supports a LOT of interesting squirrels). Thanks for any help.
Hello Stanley :wave123
Abs given to a free range wild are not recommended. dosing 2xs daily for 7+ days and ensuring that the animal ingests the full dose is at the very least difficult. If you can get Nuflor or Convenia which are 1-3 doses the odds are better. Abscessesfg can also rupture and drain
Trapping
You will need to maintain the Hav A Heart...You will probably capture all but the one you want with some coming back to repeat the experience several times.
I'm not trying to dissuade you but rather telling you that when it comes to trapping...it's a lot of work.
You care and that's half the battle.

[Stanley]

Right. Hopefully abscess will heal. But if not will try trap. Sql is active but not chewing nutshells bc of obvious pain. Losing a little weight so I try to feed it shelled walnuts separately. Thanks for the advice.

[4skwerlz]

Right. Hopefully abscess will heal. But if not will try trap. Sql is active but not chewing nutshells bc of obvious pain. Losing a little weight so I try to feed it shelled walnuts separately. Thanks for the advice.

This sounds urgent. Squirrels will hide injuries/illness so as to not attract predators; any infection bad enough to make them appear ill is very serious indeed.

[SammysMom]

I have included a pic of the sq I just went through a similar situation with. I really thought she was a goner and yet without any ab's (at the suggestion of the experts here) she is doing great! Making what appears to be a complete recovery. These wild guys are tough! :grouphug

[Stanley]

Right. Thanks for photo. There is no wound site externally that I can see, but there definitely is a divot in the same-side ear tip, which maybe means a fight or nasty encounter. There are likely no racoons (we are surrounded by small city on all sides here) but other animals (dogs) a possibility.

The abscess seems to be growing longitudinally down the neck. I am going to try to secure a trap asap, and send off to vet, but it would be nice to give this guy/gal some relief with AB, as the whole trapping process could take up valuable time.

[babybleu]

If you can, try to get the injured squirrel some pieces of avacado (no skin, no pit) I had a wild with a tooth problem this winter that couldn't eat anything but avacado and a water soaked monkey biscuit. She is still around!!

[SammysMom]

Boo Balls were my squirrels salvation. I have the fv formula and would happily mail you enough for a batch of them. I can send you the dry ingredients and a little packet of coconut oil and all you would have to get is baby food. Would that help?
I'm right in CT so you would likely get it next day.

[Stanley]

To Baby Bleu and Sammys Mom --

Thanks so much for your advice. I'll try the avocado first, as this Sql is chowing down on walnut pieces for now.

If avocado is rejected then I will probably come back to see about formula to make sure the diet is balanced. Also concentrating on obtaining Havahart cage to get the little one to the vet.

Thanks again!

[babybleu]

I have a similar problem with my "Fat Face" ... she had a problem last winter and is around again with some kind of abcess. I've been giving her baytril stuffed in an avacado or a monkey biscuit with crushed baytril soaked in water. It's working great. I have 2 days worth of antibiotic into her. I guess she was lucky to find the house that has squirrel meds on hand!! Her eye isn't as swollen today, but her face is still fat.

[Stanley]

I have to say it's not looking all that good for my guy. Couldn't get the Havahart trap yet, and the swelling grew fast and has become goiter-like around the side of his/her neck.

Lately, the sql does not come out much from the den that the local sqls use, high up in a huge tree trunk. Once a day is about it for sql to come out. Today, it barely could gnaw on walnut pieces because of pain, and when I went to get avocado, it apparently went back inside, leaving most of the walnut meat. I went back to tree 3 times with an avocado after the first session, but no sign of sql (despite my patented sql call that all park sqls know means dinner time).

The size of the puffiness grew really exponentially the past few days. Sql moves but now looks somewhat emaciated. I know sqls do bounce back from infections, so I am hoping. Anyway, plan is for a friend to get the Havahart this weekend, likely tomorrow, and she will also try to set up immediate vet visit. But can't count on when or why this sql will come out of den.

[4skwerlz]

I have to say it's not looking all that good for my guy. Couldn't get the Havahart trap yet, and the swelling grew fast and has become goiter-like around the side of his/her neck.

Lately, the sql does not come out much from the den that the local sqls use, high up in a huge tree trunk. Once a day is about it for sql to come out. Today, it barely could gnaw on walnut pieces because of pain, and when I went to get avocado, it apparently went back inside, leaving most of the walnut meat. I went back to tree 3 times with an avocado after the first session, but no sign of sql (despite my patented sql call that all park sqls know means dinner time).

The size of the puffiness grew really exponentially the past few days. Sql moves but now looks somewhat emaciated. I know sqls do bounce back from infections, so I am hoping. Anyway, plan is for a friend to get the Havahart this weekend, likely tomorrow, and she will also try to set up immediate vet visit. But can't count on when or why this sql will come out of den.

This sounds very bad.

Ace Hardware and Lowe's carry Hav-a-Hart traps.

I hope it isn't too late.

[4skwerlz]

Any news?

[Stanley]

Awaiting word from my friend who was to come in with the Havahart. She was to drive to the park today (I am out of town b/c of inlaw bday) and attempt to capture the Sql and take to vet immediately (she is quite the animal lover and has nursed back lots of creatures at her home and thru vets she knows).

She has all the particulars as to the exact tree and appearance of the Sql, and I expected to hear from her by now. She knows the park in question by heart. Will call her soon to check status.

Last night I left out slices of avocado at the base of the tree and a lot of various type of shelled nuts, hoping the sick Sql could at least get some food at first light (even if the other guys in the park started in on them). I also managed to toss avocado slices up into the tree near the entrance to the den. Will post anything when I can find it out.

[Stanley]

Quick follow up. My friend got the Havahart and went to the park, waited around at the exact tree with the cage for as long as she could but did not see Sql in question. She left some food but unable to leave cage as parks attendants on duty Sat. would likely see it immediately and impound it.

She promises she will try tomorrow and we can only hope. However, as this Sql has repeatedly stayed inside the den for long periods all week, when I have gone to check on it, I do not blame my friend for leaving. I probably went there 6 times yesterday and only saw the Sql briefly once, and went several days without seeing at all during the week, even though it knows my feeding call.

It would be helpful to have a bucket on a hydraulic arm like the electric company workers do, to get to the den. Or better yet, a sure fire time release antibiotic that could be given intermittently to wild Sqls inside a food item like avocado.

[momma2boo]

Quick follow up. My friend got the Havahart and went to the park, waited around at the exact tree with the cage for as long as she could but did not see Sql in question. She left some food but unable to leave cage as parks attendants on duty Sat. would likely see it immediately and impound it.

She promises she will try tomorrow and we can only hope. However, as this Sql has repeatedly stayed inside the den for long periods all week, when I have gone to check on it, I do not blame my friend for leaving. I probably went there 6 times yesterday and only saw the Sql briefly once, and went several days without seeing at all during the week, even though it knows my feeding call.

It would be helpful to have a bucket on a hydraulic arm like the electric company workers do, to get to the den. Or better yet, a sure fire time release antibiotic that could be given intermittently to wild Sqls inside a food item like avocado.

Is there any way to make up some Boo Balls add antibiotics to it and put one on the end of a long, thin stick and put it up to where this squirrel is hiding? If you can at least get ABs onboard you can start to fight the infection.

It is just a thought. I am anxious to start the ABs since I know how fast infection can end up systemic.

[Stanley]

Thanks Momma2boo. That is a pretty good idea, but I am pathetic in that I never made a Boo Ball before. If you have the recipe I would love to have it.

Also, the AB part is hard as vets will usually not script unless they SEE the animal. I think there is some Amoxicillin or something from a dental visit, but I don't know enough about tolerance for this, although is seems like worth a shot (and of course converting dosage for an animal 1/100th of human size must be done carefully).

But it is totally worth considering if the vet visit falls through.

[momma2boo]

Ingredients:

50 grams rodent block (crushed to a fine powder) I use Harlan Teklad 2018.

50 grams powdered Fox Valley squirrel formula. I use 32/40.

50 grams crushed nuts. I NEVER use peanuts.

3 capsules of Multidolphilus.

20 grams "organic" coconut oil (melted)

1 jar (approximately 100 grams) of Earth's Best Organic baby food fruit (I use apples and plums)

Directions for mixing:

Mix dry ingredients together well (including the multidolphilus powder from inside the capsules).

Mix organic baby food fruit in to your dry ingredients until well blended. It will seem very wet.

Mix coconut oil into the mixture until well blended.

Put in the refrigerator for 5 hours (Overnight is even better). This lets it set up. It softens/moistens the rodent block and dissolves the FV.

Once you are ready to serve it take out about a 1/2 tsp (5 grams) of the mixture and roll is in your hands but not so much that it will melt the coconut oil. Give it to your squirrel.

If you do not have the coconut oil it is not a big deal. Some people leave it out all together. I tend to adjust it based on the needs of my squirrels. If it is winter and they want to pack on a bit of weight I keep it full strength, if it is spring I tend to lessen it to at least half.

You can have this recipe ready after an hour in the fridge. I prefer several hours but one will do in a pinch.

Have you tried to contact your vet to see if they will give you abs to start squirrelly on? Maybe if you explain that until you are able to catch it you really need to at least begin to be proactive.

Meanwhile, I will put a rehabber in touch to help you with medication dosage.

[SammysMom]

I am still willing to mail the dry ingredients and coconut oil if you need them. Just PM your address for mailing.

[momma2boo]

I am still willing to mail the dry ingredients and coconut oil if you need them. Just PM your address for mailing.

That is really nice of you.

I would take her up on her offer. This way you can try it without needing to go out and buy everything.

[SammysMom]

I can just mix up the ground stuff in a plastic bag and a glob of coconut oil in a separate bag, right? I'm in CT so it only has to go to NJ it would be quick.

[momma2boo]

I can just mix up the ground stuff in a plastic bag and a glob of coconut oil in a separate bag, right? I'm in CT so it only has to go to NJ it would be quick.

That would work ... then all they need to do is add the baby food fruit. Thanks for doing this for them. Hope they take you up on it.

[SammysMom]

Me too! I have had so much help here that it is only fair that I help when possible. I feel pleased to be able to offer. Particularly having just gone through this with one of my favorite wilds. :thumbsup

[Stanley]

Thanks to everyone. Sent along my address for the BB. Hopefully we can get some nutrition and meds to this little guy/gal.

Still awaiting word from my friend who is trying to use a Havahart this afternoon. She has had the flu these past few days so I have to give her credit for even trying this.

[SammysMom]

Boo ball ingredients will be in the mail in the morning. Hope it speeds this guy's recovery! :grouphug

[Stanley]

I want to thank everyone, but sadly, after a week long vigil, my poor Sql has not been seen once, last time being with a really large abscess, shunning shelled walnut.

Thought I had a good timeline on dealing with this, but I now realize it was dicey from the start. Last year there was a Sql in the park with a malocclusion -- it really took a long time before it was serious and then it was too late. This abscess was a less than 10 day crisis. Also hard to give help when it's in a public park.

I am secretly hoping I wind up on a YouTube video, not that I want the publicity, showing me trying to put in fresh avocado into a den entrance 25 feet in the air on the side of a huge tree in the park. It took three bamboo poles tapes together with a fork taped at a right angle at the top to deliver the avocado pieces in what I know to be the hiding resting place for this poor, wonderful, little Sql. Groups of kids would come up and ask what I was doing.

As Galadriel said: "Even the smallest among us have the power to change history." Thanks for the help from those who offered or sent it.

[SammysMom]

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this! You really did go above and beyond. Thank-you for trying!

[mugzeezma]

I want to thank everyone, but sadly, after a week long vigil, my poor Sql has not been seen once, last time being with a really large abscess, shunning shelled walnut.

Thought I had a good timeline on dealing with this, but I now realize it was dicey from the start. Last year there was a Sql in the park with a malocclusion -- it really took a long time before it was serious and then it was too late. This abscess was a less than 10 day crisis. Also hard to give help when it's in a public park.

I am secretly hoping I wind up on a YouTube video, not that I want the publicity, showing me trying to put in fresh avocado into a den entrance 25 feet in the air on the side of a huge tree in the park. It took three bamboo poles tapes together with a fork taped at a right angle at the top to deliver the avocado pieces in what I know to be the hiding resting place for this poor, wonderful, little Sql. Groups of kids would come up and ask what I was doing.

As Galadriel said: "Even the smallest among us have the power to change history." Thanks for the help from those who offered or sent it.
Treating wilds is so difficult
What we all need to realize and understand is that nature has a plan. It's a plan that we are not always a part of. As much as we care, nature has more influence and will go forward from there. It warms me how much much we all want to help but ultimately there is a plan and sometimes its death.
Death is not final
It's return to to the earth

[SammysMom]

Amen Mugzee!!!