If it's not one thing, it's another...

[Milo's Mom]

Mr. Cody was moved back out to the release cage after recovering from his leg injury on Tuesday evening. He was NOT happy about this. Totally ignored me and flicked his tail at me if he was looking at me for almost 3 days. Spent lots of time is his nest box...I think he's depressed about being outside again.

ANYWAY, this afternoon I went back to the release cage to say hi and talk to him and in general just evaluate how he's doing with his injured leg being in a bigger environment and having lots of space to climb. I went into the squirrel free chamber of the cage, opened the food access door to pet him and play with him a little, since he's now a singleton. My little Cody was back to himself with lots of kisses for Mommy. While I was holding him and checking him for ticks, fleas, and his leg, I found something wrong with his other foot!
From what I can tell it appears that something bit him. I took some pics and they are posted below. There are 2 scabs. One is large and is very obvious in the pics below. The other is sort of on the side of the "bump" and is much much smaller. I tried to touch it and see if it was warm or oozing, but he would not allow me to do so...started getting mad at me. So, if you all have a minute could you please look at the pics and tell me what you think. If I need to get more pics I will try, but tell me what specifically you want pics of. I do not think that we have Bot Flies in my area, but I am not positive about that. The scab really looks like a scab like with the dryer whitish edges, versus the pics I've seen of the Bots. I am at a loss, now what? Does he needs meds in case there is an infection?
Is this little dude doing this stuff on purpose to give Mommy a heart attack or is he trying to tell me that he'd much prefer to be in the house with me versus outside? He's actually making me wonder...:thinking


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[pappy1264]

Have no experience (thank goodness) with Bot flys, but kinda looks like that from pics I have seen. I am sure others will chime in....but something tells me this boy don't wanna leave his mommy!!!!

[stepnstone]

I'd have to agree with Pappy, sure looks like bot to me. :dono
Poor little baby boy... momma put him out in that big ol'world and now he's got another owie. :shakehead

Speaking of baby boys... how's that smiley boy doing?

[Milo's Mom]

I'd have to agree with Pappy, sure looks like bot to me. :dono
Poor little baby boy... momma put him out in that big ol'world and now he's got another owie. :shakehead

Speaking of baby boys... how's that smiley boy doing?

Smiley boy is actually a Smiley Girl, and she is doing well. She still has the drain in her ear and she is still wearing her new neck accessory (e-collar), but the drain comes out next week and the cone comes off too, so she will be a very happy smiley girl come Monday afternoon.

[island rehabber]

I dunno, MM. That's very small for a bot. It looks more like a pox lesion to me. :(

[Milo's Mom]

So what do I need to do to determine what it is and how do I do it?
I too thought that it looked really small for a bot and in real life it looks a little different than it does in the pics.
If I tried to explain it verbally...it looks like a big zit that popped and then scabbed over, BUT then on the side of the bump there is another tiny little roundish looking scab. The fact that there are 2 scabs made me think a bite, like maybe an earwig. The larger of the 2 scabs is on the bottom of his leg, which is the part that also comes in contact with the cage, so it would seem reasonable that it is larger since it would be continually irritated and scratched off.
If it is Pox, it is highly contagious and the other local wilds would have it too right?
Cody allows me to handle him to a point, so if I need to get him somewhere I can do it and since he is still in the release cage, if I need to give him meds it will be easy.
Tomorrow, I will try to take a video of it to see if it appears more "real to life" than it appears in the pics.

I just want Mr. Cody to be a real squirrel and play and live a happy life in the trees. Why do these things keep happening to my little Romeo?

[MiriamS]

Obviously he saw Princess Ellie's setup and decided he needed to do whatever was necessary to trick you into giving him a Prince room of his own. :poke

[Skul]

Please just observe for the next couple days,
See how it goes.
If it gets worse, then work from that.
Slight injuries can be very deseptive.
We've all seen it.

[UDoWhat]

MM, We are going to a picnic tomorrow, but I will check in as I can on Sun. I am here if you need me and will get Vet appointment if we need it. He doesn't seem to want to let go of his Mommies care and devotion. I would bring him in?????? Maybe???? Are we worried about maggots in the wound???? MM? Anyone?? I hate maggots. (Of course I don't know anyone who loves them!!) Not sure what this is???? Looking...thinking...looking... thinking???

Marty,( Night ,night!)

[SammysMom]

Some don't like the trees according to my Sammy. :D He may prefer watching TV from the sofa...:jump Sammy enjoys a soap opera or two in the afternoon. Maybe your Cody wants the life of a bonbon eatin' house-squirrel!:jump

[momma2boo]

I think Cody wants to be a domesticated squirrel and live a cushy life inside.

He heard about the princess and has decided that any good castle must have a princess AND a prince in order to have a "happily ever after". You don't want to have to re-write all the fairy tales do you?

Princess Ellie and Prince Cody. Sounds like a happily ever after to me. :poke

[stepnstone]

Smiley boy is actually a Smiley Girl, and she is doing well. She still has the drain in her ear and she is still wearing her new neck accessory (e-collar), but the drain comes out next week and the cone comes off too, so she will be a very happy smiley girl come Monday afternoon.

:sanp3 ...I knew that.
Sounds like things are healing as they should, glad to hear that. Give her big hugs for me.:tilt

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi MiloMom
Looks like a Bot Fly larva. All the Pox I have seen never have a hole in the middle. Where is the other scab sour???:dono Can you post a picture of it. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29776
Go check out this little Bot larva. There are several kinds. I never Sean this little one be for on Squirrels. But it was and It had dies inside luckily We got it out with no Problem. :thumbsup3

[MiriamS]

Wow, botflies are disgusting. I don't know if that's what it is. They used to only be found in tropical areas but climate change has brought them north. People at the rehab center were talking about it the other day. Good luck with the foot. Yuck. If it is a botfly warble, since you've been watching Cody, I imagine this is a new one. If that is the case, it will start to swell, confirming a larvae is in there. You might want to wait to take action until you know one way or the other.

[Milo's Mom]

:wave123 Hi MiloMom
Looks like a Bot Fly larva. All the Pox I have seen never have a hole in the middle. Where is the other scab sour???:dono Can you post a picture of it. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29776
Go check out this little Bot larva. There are several kinds. I never Sean this little one be for on Squirrels. But it was and It had dies inside luckily We got it out with no Problem. :thumbsup3


Mrs. Skul - There is not a hole in the middle of it, it's just a darker spot of the scab...like to precise location of where the bite occurred. The other part of the scab looks sort of like dried clear weeping fluid that comes from injuries that are healing.
I did look at the pic and the bump on Cody does not look like that. The pic you posted looks like it has puss and is actively infected and extremely painful. Cody's bump does not look like that. It is dry and well scabbed and other than the skin of the bump being pinker than normal flesh, the bump is well formed and does not seem to "span out" and fade away into the surrounding skin. It almost looks like a mole that is raised from the skin and has been irritated to the point of forming a scab.

The big scab is the majority of the bump, but on the side of the bump there is a tiny little scab.

I am wondering about picking the scab off? If there is an infection under the scab, by removing the scab the pressure will be relieved...yes I am opening it up to potentially more germs and additional infection, but it will also assist in determining what it is, as the area of injury will be more visible since it will not be covered by a larger scab. Then a course of action will be able to be agreed upon and implemented. Thoughts?

I will try to zoom in more on the pics I have to see if specifics can been easier to see, but until then, here are the pics that I posted previously.
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[pappy1264]

Examine him closely, any bumps around his mouth, genital area/thigh/belly? Although my experience with pox is limited, these are the places it seemed to appear, although I supposed they could appear anywhere. I am really praying this is not pox. As started before, boosting his immune system would be a good thing, no matter what it is. Poor little guy.

[Milo's Mom]

I think Cody wants to be a domesticated squirrel and live a cushy life inside.

He heard about the princess and has decided that any good castle must have a princess AND a prince in order to have a "happily ever after". You don't want to have to re-write all the fairy tales do you?

Princess Ellie and Prince Cody. Sounds like a happily ever after to me. :poke

If Cody wants to live in the house with Mommy & Daddy, he is welcome to do so, BUT, he is going to have to go through at least this release attempt before he can make up his mind for sure.

As much as I would LOVE to have a friend/buddy for Ellie, Cody is NOT a candidate for that...he's a grey, she's a foxer, that's like trying to mix oil and water (from everything I've heard). Is it different in captivity? Isn't Ellie too old to be changed from her ways...too old to be tricked by Mommy...she knows who/what she likes and tends to tell me about it.:sanp3
How on earth will I ever be able to justify keeping a perfectly healthy squirrel? An NR, yeah, I can see that, but perfectly fine...just cause he wants too? Wish I could do things I am not supposed to do just cause I want too...hehehe

[Milo's Mom]

Examine him closely, any bumps around his mouth, genital area/thigh/belly? Although my experience with pox is limited, these are the places it seemed to appear, although I supposed they could appear anywhere. I am really praying this is not pox. As started before, boosting his immune system would be a good thing, no matter what it is. Poor little guy.

Nope, Nada, Nothing. Everything else on Cody looks fine. He has one teeny tiny patch of fur on his side/back that is a little thin, but that was there when he came home hurt a few weeks ago. I looked and looked him over and saw nothing that looked odd or different or alarming. Do you know how difficult it is to go over a squirrel while all he wants to do is wiggle and kiss you? He's such a little love bug.

What do I do to boost his immune system?

[momma2boo]

If Cody wants to live in the house with Mommy & Daddy, he is welcome to do so, BUT, he is going to have to go through at least this release attempt before he can make up his mind for sure.

As much as I would LOVE to have a friend/buddy for Ellie, Cody is NOT a candidate for that...he's a grey, she's a foxer, that's like trying to mix oil and water (from everything I've heard). Is it different in captivity? Isn't Ellie too old to be changed from her ways...too old to be tricked by Mommy...she knows who/what she likes and tends to tell me about it.:sanp3
How on earth will I ever be able to justify keeping a perfectly healthy squirrel? An NR, yeah, I can see that, but perfectly fine...just cause he wants too? Wish I could do things I am not supposed to do just cause I want too...hehehe

Well, if it is HIS decision then you wouldn't be doing anything other than giving him what HE wants. Right?

As for how greys and foxers get along in captivity goes .... I have absolutely no clue. :dono

[Milo's Mom]

Cody is still in the release cage and I have not been able to get anymore pics or videos and now it's raining like crazy and is only supposed to get heavier. The other night when I was trying to hold him and take more pics, the scab fell off. I did not pick it off and he did not chew it off. He was in my hand posing for the pic and I had the camera in the other hand (forgot to turn it on though) and one second the scab was there and the next (after I got the camera turned on) it was gone. In its place is a little red dot, which now matches the little red dot on the side of the bump. The bump is still there and it was there this morning also. If it stops pouring long enough for me to get out there and give him some scritchies, I will try to get some more pics of the bump.

It does not seem to bother him and I have not seen him fussing with it, so I am making an assumption that it does not hurt and it does not itch...both of which are good, right?

I'll plan on keeping him in the release cage until it starts going away or has gone away.

Poor little dude...all he wants is to be with his Mommy, in the house, and I make him live outside with the squirrels and where it rains too!:Love_Icon

[Pierre]

Awwwwww.... Then bring him in until his footie heals. :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[astra]

Awwwwww.... Then bring him in until his footie heals. :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
of course, it depends on the problem, but most wounds and boo-boos heal better and faster in a dry warm environment (which the release environment is not:tilt ), Plus, he might heal faster feeling more secure and safer next to his Mommy:) :grouphug

[SammysMom]

I'm sensing a theme here.:jump What's the point in fighting it? Bring him on in and ENJOY!!!:poke

[astra]

I'm sensing a theme here.:jump What's the point in fighting it? Bring him on in and ENJOY!!!:poke
:jump

[JLM27]

Yeah, bring him in before he gets a complex.

[Milo's Mom]

He's supposed to be a WILD squirrel guys!!!

I'll talk to the BF about it this evening (he'll say yes in about .02 of a second) and then we'll have to do some rearranging related to whose in what cage so that I can free up his cage so he can have his good old comfy home back in the house. ONLY if the BF agrees and helps me.

[SammysMom]

Oh I'm just teasing you MM! You should do whatever is right for you and your family!

[JLM27]

Sure! Then if he starts biting and pacing you can re-release him.

[UDoWhat]

How is Cody today?? Are you going to keep him in or out for now?? Hope he will be all better soon.

[Milo's Mom]

When the BF got home we talked about it. I told him that I was worried about Cody's newest boo-boo not healing and possibly getting a bad infection and maybe even those icky maggots due to the several inches of rains we have gotten, are getting and is predicted. We all know that wounds heal MUCH slower in wet conditions.
His immediate response was "Where would you put him?". I explained the new arrangements I had planned and figured out prior to him arriving home. He was not thrilled, but agreed it would work.
He was also concerned with have 7 squirrels in the dining room and a Princess upstairs.
He suggested that we place a waterproof tarp over the release cage to keep the drips and direct rain to a minimum and watch his boo-boo closely. At the first signs of it not continuing to heal, we bring him in. I argued the proactive versus reactive and I got "the look".
We put the tarp over the release cage and secured it with a few bricks and some spare lumber we had lying around.
The good news is that Cody for the most part was dry. He spent the day in his nest box avoiding the rain. He was actually dryer than I was.
He did not like the rain gear I had on...when he first saw me he chattered, then I spoke to him and he tilted his head and looked at me like, "Mom, is that you? It sounds like you, but what on earth are you wearing woman?" :rotfl
So, Mr. Cody Boy is still out in the release cage. I know it is best, I cannot keep bringing him in the house every time the wind changes direction. If he comes back in now and I have to re-release him & it will be the 4th time and it's starting to get cool...today it did not get over 60*.
I just wish he'd open his mouth and talk to me...just say, "Mom, I am not going to make it out here, I wanna come live with you in the house." It'd be so easy, I scoop him up, bring him in the house and that would be it. His name would be officially changed to Prince Cody and construction on his castle would begin immediately.:rotfl :tilt

[pappy1264]

You are better then me, woman. At this point, I'd have his cage done already, me thinks....(hey, I'm being honest....:D ), but you are the voice of reason.Be careful with the tarp, that he cannot reach it to chew on (and to remove it, after the rain, so the wood can dry out completely.)

[Milo's Mom]

This morning when I delivered breakfast to Mr. Cody, he wanted some Mommy time. He wanted some kisses and some belly rubs and some full body rubs. Of course I obliged. While he was sitting/lying in my hand in the squirrel free chamber of the release cage a wild squirrel came running by and stopped. The wild jumped up onto the trailer and stood on its back legs doing a beautiful double paw tuck and just watched...this went on for like 5 minutes. After about the first minute, Cody started shaking all over, like he was shivering. He was not growling or chattering or even flicking his tail. He just shook...most in his legs but I could feel it in his body too. I was talking softly to him the entire time. After seeing what was going on, I turned my back to the wild and kept Cody at the front of my body (he could not see the wild and the wild could not see him). The shaking stopped, he gave me a kiss on my hand and I continued rubbing his back. I peaked to see if the wild was still there and it was, so I turned back around so Cody and the wild could see each other and after a moment he started shaking again...I turned back around and stayed that way until the wild left.
Was he mad at the other squirrel but being calm because I was there?
Is he scared of other squirrels to the point of being petrified?
Was he really wanting to growl and chatter and flick his tail to defend his territory but refrained from doing so because I was holding him?

It was odd. I've never seen him shake like that and it was obviously the other squirrel. His diet is awesome and he eats all the good stuff so I am not concerned with it being a dietary deficiency (should I be?).

His boo-boo on his foot is looking really good. The bump has reduced in size and it is not as "pink/red" as it was before. It is starting to return to a more normal skin tone. Thank goodness!!!

Another thing he did this morning which he has never done before was put my finger in his mouth. Not to bite or chew or nibble, and not the tip of my finger, he took my finger and stuck it in his mouth behind both his top and bottom teeth...as if I was going to trim his teeth. I immediately pulled his mouth open and looked in his mouth as far back as I could see and also both his top and bottom teeth. His teeth are the picture of perfection and I did not see anything odd or alarming in his mouth. His breath did not stink either.

You all got some ideas/thoughts that you want to share?

[island rehabber]

Cody sounds normal as heck. The teeth thing is reminiscent of Shanti -- he did all that plus manicures. Now, since release, if I offered it I'd probably lose my hand up to the wrist :sanp3. Not sure about the shivering but it could be he was tensing up because of the wild squirrel.

[pappy1264]

I would think tense due to an unfimiliar squirrel so close. Not all squirrels want to fight, sometimes they are just scared. Glad to hear his foot is getting better, but he sure sounds like a momma's boy....sure you are gonna release that portal again?

[Milo's Mom]

I just got done spending what will most likely be the last time giving Mr. Cody some lovins. He got belly and body rubs and some ear scritchies all while sitting in the palm of my hand like a little budda squirrel. I got some kisses from him too. The boo-boo on his foot looks really good. There is still a little bit of a bump, but it has a regular flesh color and the area where the scab then red dot was is now just a tiny little spot that looks like a piece of dry skin.
I asked him if he was ready to go be a big squirrel now and live in the trees and he looked at me then grabbed my thumb with both hands and held tight directly under his chin just like he did when he was a tiny little baby. Brought me to tears. The little dude sure is a heart breaker. If tomorrow is going to be a decent day weather wise, I will open his portal in the morning after breakfast. Gotta make sure he gets a good meal in him before he hits the trees (again). He got avocado in his dinner tonight...just making sure he remembers where the yummies come from....:D

[astra]

I asked him if he was ready to go be a big squirrel now and live in the trees and he looked at me then grabbed my thumb with both hands and held tight directly under his chin just like he did when he was a tiny little baby. Brought me to tears. The little dude sure is a heart breaker.
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon

[pappy1264]

You are stronger then me....so....is Cody is the trees?

[Milo's Mom]

Cody's portal door is open and he's running around playing in the release cage. I think he thinks that the portal door is actually the secret nut delivery door. Since he's been in the release cage I've been delivering nuts to him through the portal door. So to him, that's where the nut treats come from...:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[gs1]

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug nothing i can say ... can imagine how you're feeling....:grouphug

it's his choice... :grouphug

[Milo's Mom]

Mr. Cody Boy figured out that the portal hole was not just for the Nut Fairy to deliver nuts through. He left the release cage and was chased by the local wild Mamma squirrel she chased him right back into the release cage, twice. The third time he left he went the other way and made his way to our deck for a few nuts, then he investigated the perimeter of the house, got scared up the dog wood tree by one of the AC units coming on, then continued his investigation. Then he went to the house next door and investigated the front yard and then to the next house...that's the last place and time I saw him. Hope the little dude is staying off the streets and remembers to come home for dinner. I know it's not final yet, but as much as my head wants him to have a wonderful life as a wild squirrel, my heart really wants him to run to the back door and beg to come in the house to be with Mommy. Being a wild is better for all involved, but I'm really going to miss that little one...my little Romeo aka Cody.:Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Mr. Cody Boy figured out that the portal hole was not just for the Nut Fairy to deliver nuts through. He left the release cage and was chased by the local wild Mamma squirrel she chased him right back into the release cage, twice. The third time he left he went the other way and made his way to our deck for a few nuts, then he investigated the perimeter of the house, got scared up the dog wood tree by one of the AC units coming on, then continued his investigation. Then he went to the house next door and investigated the front yard and then to the next house...that's the last place and time I saw him. Hope the little dude is staying off the streets and remembers to come home for dinner. I know it's not final yet, but as much as my head wants him to have a wonderful life as a wild squirrel, my heart really wants him to run to the back door and beg to come in the house to be with Mommy. Being a wild is better for all involved, but I'm really going to miss that little one...my little Romeo aka Cody.:Love_Icon

Oh God, I know the feeling. These releases are the hardest part of this whole thing. It's all about their safety, and also missing the bond that you create with every single little one. All we want to do is protect them from all harm....then we think the only way to do that is to keep them. It's just an endless circle of always second guessing yourself.:shakehead
Oh Milo's Mom....I know exactly what you are going through....UGH:Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon
Cody, be careful, be happy, be healthy....and live to a ripe old age enjoying every minute of freedom...:Love_Icon

[Milo's Mom]

Oh God, I know the feeling. These releases are the hardest part of this whole thing. It's all about their safety, and also missing the bond that you create with every single little one. All we want to do is protect them from all harm....then we think the only way to do that is to keep them. It's just an endless circle of always second guessing yourself.:shakehead
Oh Milo's Mom....I know exactly what you are going through....UGH:Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon
Cody, be careful, be happy, be healthy....and live to a ripe old age enjoying every minute of freedom...:Love_Icon

and if you get hurt while you are out there, please remember to come home to Mommy again so I can make you all better, again.

[SammysMom]

:Love_Icon :grouphug (((MM & Cody))):grouphug :Love_Icon

[Milo's Mom]

Mr. Cody made it home just before dark. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
He's quickly working on building a nest in my favorite tree in the yard. Not sure if he's gonna get it done cause it is already dark. I figured I'd give him some extra time to try to get his nest done before I close the portal door...just in case he decides he'll stay in his nest box one more night and finish his nest tomorrow. It's 7:45 now, I am going to close the portal at 8:45...he's always in bed by then, so that should give him plenty of time to decide where he is staying for the night. His dinner is in the release cage waiting for him...giving him some extra time might allow him to get some yummies even if he decides he's not staying in the box tonight. I am SO happy I saw him before it got dark. I was getting a little worried.:shakehead

[island rehabber]

:grouphug:grouphugMM:grouphug:grouphug

[Milo's Mom]

It's after 9 and the portal is closed. I did not see Cody in the tree or in the release cage. His dinner was not disturbed (he normally throws it all over the place), so I do not think he's in the release cage. There are currently 2 next boxes in the trees, which are not occupied, so maybe he found one of them. We took one box (not one of the two previously mentioned) down today to perform some repairs, they will be completed tomorrow and it will be filled with poly fill and rehung. Hope he's in a safe snuggly place tonight.

Good night Mr. Cody Boy.

[pappy1264]

Any sign of Mr. Cody today????

I will be releasing Frankie and Bean tomorrow, and have not seen my four for almost 3 weeks, so I am right there with ya!

[Kat762]

Hope all is going well for Cody :grouphug :grouphug

[Milo's Mom]

Yes, there has been a Cody sighting! Mr. Cody likes to stay away throughout the day and totally freak Mom out. But then, just as she is giving up and coming to terms with not seeing him that day and preparing to go inside with her head hung low, Cody arrives. He loves to run up and down the big red oak tree (my favorite tree in the yard) he just runs up and down and up and down until I acknowledge him. Of course I walk around with a pocketful of nuts, so as soon as I saw him I produced a handful (4-6) of nuts for him. He ate each one sitting in the tree in his perfect little spot (if I did not know better I'd say it was made just for him...he fits so perfectly in it). The thunder storms were rolling in and after I gave him his last nut, I told him to enjoy it, but then he better head for cover cause the rain is coming and so is the thunder & lightning.

So both this evening and yesterday evening Cody arrived at the last minute in the red oak tree to say hi to Mom. I discovered a new leaf nest in one of the black walnut trees today...I do not remember seeing it a few days ago, so possibly it's Cody's primary home and the nest he's building in the oak tree is the secondary. The leaves used in both are still green, so I know they are both new.

His leg and foot both look good (from what I could see)...now that he's a wild squirrel it's not cool for Mom to hold you and love on you, so I could only catch glimpses of both as he was eating his nuts and running up and down the oak tree.

[island rehabber]

:grouphug :thumbsup good work, mamma :grouphug

[stepnstone]

Good to hear Cody is getting along so well, you did good! :thumbsup (again)

[SammysMom]

:grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :grouphug