Never in my life

[stepnstone]

I too had to crack a big ol'grin on this one...
Very good news indeed! :serene

[Shewhosweptforest]

:squirrel4 Awww good news indeed :w00t

[lennysmom]

Aww, what a great story - Susie and her boyfriend! :serene Brought a big smile to my face this morning. :grin3:Love_Icon Go Susie! :dance

[Chickenlegs]

WHAT a great end to the day! Your babies healthy and happy!!! :grin3

[Mel1959]

I know this is an older thread, but I just read it and wanted to comment about the bots and proximity to the coast. I also live in FL, blocks from the ocean, and several years ago many of the wilds in my yard that bots. It seemed to be a huge epidemic that I had never seen before and I've lived in the same area for over 50 yrs. if I recall correctly we had some very cold weather following the outbreak which seemed to curtail the bots to some degree. I have not noticed them on any wilds since then and I still live near the coast. I will be on the lookout though. I just wanted to share:grin2

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thanks for sharing Mel. I appreciate any information about bots. Even thought it is an old thread it was resurrected last year as we fought the same battle. It is an ongoing battle. This year I will ATTEMPT to block their nasty life cycle... at least in my yard. Last years battle cost a precious squirrel his life, it cost me $400 in vet bills, it almost cost Susie her life and caused me a boatload of anguish and grief.

I WILL fight them this year. Actually we are rapidly approaching the time when I will start my 'battle of the bots'. :duel I have decided to use Revolution on the releases. I will dose them monthly from spring until fall. THAT'S gonna be fun. :eek
I will never know unless I try. If that doesn't work I'll use ivermectin but I would rather not unless I have to.

[Anne]

Fought them here last year! Had an eyes closed grey baby come in with one even, first time having on on a baby that young.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=268856&stc=1

Thank goodness I have a wonderful method to remove them and got this bot out before he went to Magna's! I hate bots. The wound above is not from a bot but and injury from falling.

[Mel1959]

That poor baby!:boohoo Did it survive? How much do you dose and HOW do you get medicine on a wild squirrel? I wouldn't know where to begin! I will be on the lookout for those rotten bots. We actually have very few squirrels in our neighborhood. Would it be because we have a large osprey population? I hate to think that that could be the reason.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Mel, that baby did survive. :grin2

All of my squirrel friends are releases. I hope that I can put a drop on their shoulders like dosing a cat. I have heard that the dose can be ingested but I'm not in favor of that. If I'm not successful I might have to resort to the ivermectin on a pecan. I hope it doesn't come to that.

For anyone reading this now or in the future, I want you to know that ivermectin is VERY toxic. It must be dosed properly and used with caution or you can kill the squirrel. Some rehabbers use it routinely. I am not one of those rehabbers. I believe earlier in this thread is said in frustration that I would dose everything that moves with ivermectin in an attempt to not have to deal with the bot problem again. After a lot of research on ivermectin, I have to recall that foolish statement. I have a better understanding of it's toxicity and will only use it as a last resort. Unfortunately, the bot problem in my yard proved to be lethal so extreme measures might be warranted.

[lovesmice]

I hear ya'. I hate when I have to dose a mouse. I am uncomfortable offering the kind that requires ingestion, and I am always really, really scared my clumsiness is going to cause more than the prescribed amount to come out of the tube onto the nape.

[island rehabber]

Just a note to Mel: ospreys are fish-eaters only and will not harm squirrels. Usually when you don't have squirrels in an area it's either because there are no mast trees (nut-bearing), and no friendly folks with bird feeders either. :grin2

[HRT4SQRLS]

Weeeelllllll.... today was an interesting day! :tap

A few days ago I THOUGHT I saw a squirrel with a small bot. I also thought... NO WAY... this is April. We don't have bots until July, August, September, etc.
I received a message from another local rehabber letting me know that someone in the central FL had seen a bot on her squirrels. That absolutely BLOWS MY MIND! :frustratedx :panic

Now I realize that I probably did see a warble on a squirrel IN APRIL. :shakehead
It was my intention to start dosing with Revolution BEFORE the season to see if it would prevent the nightmare that we have experienced for the last couple years.

Of course, Susie is my primary target. Now the problem... I haven't seen her in 3-4 weeks. :imp Today I decided to go look for her. I know where she lives. She lives on my nieces property. There is a very rough, natural area with a stream that runs through her property. The area is not mowed so it is rugged but not so much that it is 'snakey'. It actually is a perfect area for wildlife and I'm glad she lives there. I went over this morning armed with Revolution, pecans and in-shell hazelnuts. I was standing on a small bridge over the creek and started banging nuts together and calling. Within one minute I saw she jumping through the trees. I immediately recognized her because of the black hair and split pattern on the tip of her tail where it was degloved. She came right down and climbed on my shoulder. I dosed the pecan with Revolution and gave it to her. She stayed on my shoulder while she ate it. In retrospect I might be able to dose her topically in the future. I would prefer to do that. She finished the pecan so I gave her 2 more pecan halves. I then gave her a hazelnut which she went off to bury. I gave her several nuts to bury.

As I was standing there on the bridge, I thought I saw a roaming dog in the neighbors back yard. The properties in this area are mostly 3-5 acres. I see the back of his property because he faces a different road. I then realized it was a coyote. I watched him and realized there was another one also. I have lived in FL for 60 years and never saw coyotes before the last 10 years. Now there are getting to be a LOT of coyotes. Unfortunately, most people hate coyotes because they kill calves, chickens, etc. I don't hate any animal. I accept them as part of nature and believe they have a right to survive also.

I was approximately the length of a football field away from the neighbors house. His house sits up higher on the hill as the creek is more in wetlands. All of a sudden I hear BAM.... BAM :gun2 Apparently the neighbor saw the coyotes in his yard and started shooting. :eek OMG he was shooting right toward ME! He wouldn't have seen me on the bridge in the thick tree line. I jumped behind a tree to protect myself from the gun blasts. :the_wife Thankfully he only fired twice... thankfully he missed the coyote .... and thankfully he missed ME!

I will have a conversation with him about this. He is an EXCELLENT neighbor but geeze, my niece has kids and firing towards other peoples property is a VERY bad idea. I would have been seriously PO'd if he had killed the coyote

So, Susie is dosed and we will see what happens. I will dose her monthly if I don't get shot. :peace1 :rotfl

[Sara in NW MS]

Oh my word, how scary that must have been!!! :eek That's always been a fear of mine when I'm at my house. I've had people go on the back side of my property and hunt illegally. Hearing a semi automatic rifle going off one after another freaks me out. I'm always afraid of a stray bullet making it's way to me or my kids. I'm glad you weren't hurt and I'm glad he has bad aim (unless he was only shooting to scare them off and not kill them). Either way, I'm glad everyone came out alive.

I have a question about the revolution. I thought that had to be dosed topically... we can dose that orally? I'm asking cuz Judie has a tick on her ear and I was wanting to dose her for fleas and ticks and I'd like to do the same things before Toby goes outside.

I'm glad Susie was dosed, maybe you won't have any issues with her being covered in bots again this year. That was horrible last year!!!

[HRT4SQRLS]

I have a question about the revolution. I thought that had to be dosed topically... we can dose that orally? I'm asking cuz Judie has a tick on her ear and I was wanting to dose her for fleas and ticks and I'd like to do the same things before Toby goes outside.

I'm glad Susie was dosed, maybe you won't have any issues with her being covered in bots again this year. That was horrible last year!!!

Yes, it was horrible Sara. While I would have preferred to dose it as per the instructions.. topically.. I do know that others have dosed it successfully orally.
I will try it and see how it goes. I just have to do something.

I hope the neighbor was trying to scare it BUT...
I live in an area that was once rural. Development has reached us. :boohoo
My area is now more suburban and I guess the positive thing is that I'm NOT in an area where hunting takes place, unless you consider the neighbor firing out the back door. :tap

The 100 acres across the street from me is being developed right now. I am on the divide between rural and dense housing. On my side of the street most people own acreage. Behind my house is 44 acres that my mom owns so that won't be developed as long as I live here. I am just sick over what has happened to my area. I want to sell out and move from this state.

[lukaslolamaus]

Goodness!!!!! Glad you're OK :grouphug
I would like to know more about dosing Revolution too. The bots on my property were horrible last year :madd and Risu already had a couple of ticks :soapbox

[lennysmom]

Ugh, bots already?!?!:eek Oh geez, I REALLY hope not!!!!!! I am SO MUCH dreading bot season this year!!! We had a fairly mild winter and I have a feeling it's going to be bad.:( I am also looking into the Revolution orally if it proves to be effective on your fuzzers - please keep us posted on how it works out HRT.

[lennysmom]

Yes, it was horrible Sara. While I would have preferred to dose it as per the instructions.. topically.. I do know that others have dosed it successfully orally.
I will try it and see how it goes. I just have to do something.

I hope the neighbor was trying to scare it BUT...
I live in an area that was once rural. Development has reached us. :boohoo
My area is now more suburban and I guess the positive thing is that I'm NOT in an area where hunting takes place, unless you consider the neighbor firing out the back door. :tap

The 100 acres across the street from me is being developed right now. I am on the divide between rural and dense housing. On my side of the street most people own acreage. Behind my house is 44 acres that my mom owns so that won't be developed as long as I live here. I am just sick over what has happened to my area. I want to sell out and move from this state.

Oh I hate massive development like that!! :( Perhaps some of those poor coyotes have been displaced due of loss of territory.:sadness We have development going on not far from my house in an area I've seen several squirrels and it makes me very sad. I feel the same way about the acreage that I own behind my house - it may not be much, but it will NOT be developed as long as I live here!!!
But I'm so glad you were not injured or killed by your neighbor shooting at the wildlife! I'm very thankful that I live in the city limits and that kind of stuff is illegal in my neighborhood! That doesn't stop some people however.. but at least I have legal recourse to deal with the problem should it arise. I hope your neighbor is reasonable about it when you speak with him.:grouphug

[Mel1959]

Wow, that REALLY would have been scary, HRT. Most cities or counties, even in FL, have laws that don't allow the discharging of a firearm. Id look into that. How did the "talk" go with the neighbor?

As for coyotes. I live along the coast, basically a barrier island, and a block away is a city park with a walking trail, playground, city rec dept. with a pool, lots and lots of squirrels....and a city unwanted feral cat colony. About 6 mths ago there was a report of a coyote in the park. Well,there must be more than one because now there are babies. Also, people have been feeding them so they are beginning to lose their fear of humans. Not good. Houses surround this park on 3 sides with the fourth side a highway, people's cats have begun disappearing. I've been up there a couple times in the last week and there were no feral cats either. These coyotes travelled a pretty good distance to get to this park. If I didn't know how hard it is to trap them, I would suspect there was a possibility that one of the idiots that didn't want the feral cat colony around any longer might have relocated these Coyotes to this park to take care of the cats. I still think this might be the case, but......

I hope your trigger happy neighbor continues to have poor aim!!

[PennyCash]

Weeeelllllll.... today was an interesting day! :tap

A few days ago I THOUGHT I saw a squirrel with a small bot. I also thought... NO WAY... this is April. We don't have bots until July, August, September, etc.
I received a message from another local rehabber letting me know that someone in the central FL had seen a bot on her squirrels. That absolutely BLOWS MY MIND! :frustratedx :panic

Now I realize that I probably did see a warble on a squirrel IN APRIL. :shakehead
It was my intention to start dosing with Revolution BEFORE the season to see if it would prevent the nightmare that we have experienced for the last couple years.

Of course, Susie is my primary target. Now the problem... I haven't seen her in 3-4 weeks. :imp Today I decided to go look for her. I know where she lives. She lives on my nieces property. There is a very rough, natural area with a stream that runs through her property. The area is not mowed so it is rugged but not so much that it is 'snakey'. It actually is a perfect area for wildlife and I'm glad she lives there. I went over this morning armed with Revolution, pecans and in-shell hazelnuts. I was standing on a small bridge over the creek and started banging nuts together and calling. Within one minute I saw she jumping through the trees. I immediately recognized her because of the black hair and split pattern on the tip of her tail where it was degloved. She came right down and climbed on my shoulder. I dosed the pecan with Revolution and gave it to her. She stayed on my shoulder while she ate it. In retrospect I might be able to dose her topically in the future. I would prefer to do that. She finished the pecan so I gave her 2 more pecan halves. I then gave her a hazelnut which she went off to bury. I gave her several nuts to bury.

As I was standing there on the bridge, I thought I saw a roaming dog in the neighbors back yard. The properties in this area are mostly 3-5 acres. I see the back of his property because he faces a different road. I then realized it was a coyote. I watched him and realized there was another one also. I have lived in FL for 60 years and never saw coyotes before the last 10 years. Now there are getting to be a LOT of coyotes. Unfortunately, most people hate coyotes because they kill calves, chickens, etc. I don't hate any animal. I accept them as part of nature and believe they have a right to survive also.

I was approximately the length of a football field away from the neighbors house. His house sits up higher on the hill as the creek is more in wetlands. All of a sudden I hear BAM.... BAM :gun2 Apparently the neighbor saw the coyotes in his yard and started shooting. :eek OMG he was shooting right toward ME! He wouldn't have seen me on the bridge in the thick tree line. I jumped behind a tree to protect myself from the gun blasts. :the_wife Thankfully he only fired twice... thankfully he missed the coyote .... and thankfully he missed ME!

I will have a conversation with him about this. He is an EXCELLENT neighbor but geeze, my niece has kids and firing towards other peoples property is a VERY bad idea. I would have been seriously PO'd if he had killed the coyote

So, Susie is dosed and we will see what happens. I will dose her monthly if I don't get shot. :peace1 :rotfl

I am just so thankful that you and Susie are ok. Good luck talking with the neighbor and dosing Susie next month. :hug

[HRT4SQRLS]

I like to document things in this thread so I can remember events and when things happened. I dosed Susie today with a second dose of Revolution. Her last dose was April 28th. She looked great today and doesn't have a single Bot. There are already reports of bots being seen in central FL. Another member in central FL (c4s) has been dosing about 10 squirrels at her place and they are all bot-free also. The real test will begin in July and August. If Susie remains bot-free, I will be 100% certain that Revolution does work in the pre-emergent stage. I do know that Revolution does NOT work after any sign of warble development. It's too late at that point. I am VERY hopeful. :grin2

Just for the record, I couldn't be happier about the life that Susie lives. She lives in a semi wooded area in my nieces yard (about 3 acres) next door. It is much more desirable than my yard. She does not depend on me for her food. She rarely returns to my yard. I can call and call and she won't come even though she has a continuous tree highway to return. If I go to HER house she will come down from the tree to visit and receive treats.

Susie is a success story in every way. :dance I sure do love her. :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

I like to document things in this thread so I can remember events and when things happened. I dosed Susie today with a second dose of Revolution. Her last dose was April 28th. She looked great today and doesn't have a single Bot. There are already reports of bots being seen in central FL. Another member in central FL (c4s) has been dosing about 10 squirrels at her place and they are all bot-free also. The real test will begin in July and August. If Susie remains bot-free, I will be 100% certain that Revolution does work in the pre-emergent stage. I do know that Revolution does NOT work after any sign of warble development. It's too late at that point. I am VERY hopeful. :grin2

Just for the record, I couldn't be happier about the life that Susie lives. She lives in a semi wooded area in my nieces yard (about 3 acres) next door. It is much more desirable than my yard. She does not depend on me for her food. She rarely returns to my yard. I can call and call and she won't come even though she has a continuous tree highway to return. If I go to HER house she will come down from the tree to visit and receive treats.

Susie is a success story in every way. :dance I sure do love her. :Love_Icon


Susie is a great success story. :w00t:blowkiss
Thank you for sharing her with us.
Fingers crossed the revolution works.
I'm anxious to see how Susie and the others
that are also dosed, make out during "bot" season.

[lennysmom]

Thank you SO much HRT for the update on the Revolution.:hug Lukaslolamaus and I plan to dose several of our releases this year pending your results. Our bot season will probably start here in a few months - how far ahead would you recommend us starting the treatment? I was thinking maybe a month before? All of our releases have been tormented with them the last several years and I am expecting a bad year this year with our mild winter.:(
I love that Susie is living the good squirrley life and that she will still come visit you when you go to see her. Sounds like the perfect situation for you and her.:):Love_Icon

[Coralreefer]

I like to document things in this thread so I can remember events and when things happened. I dosed Susie today with a second dose of Revolution. Her last dose was April 28th. She looked great today and doesn't have a single Bot. There are already reports of bots being seen in central FL. Another member in central FL (c4s) has been dosing about 10 squirrels at her place and they are all bot-free also. The real test will begin in July and August. If Susie remains bot-free, I will be 100% certain that Revolution does work in the pre-emergent stage. I do know that Revolution does NOT work after any sign of warble development. It's too late at that point. I am VERY hopeful. :grin2

Just for the record, I couldn't be happier about the life that Susie lives. She lives in a semi wooded area in my nieces yard (about 3 acres) next door. It is much more desirable than my yard. She does not depend on me for her food. She rarely returns to my yard. I can call and call and she won't come even though she has a continuous tree highway to return. If I go to HER house she will come down from the tree to visit and receive treats.

Susie is a success story in every way. :dance I sure do love her. :Love_Icon


You have to go to her house huh?
You have to fix up that yard Hrt. Words out it's below standards. :rotfl

Good to hear about Susie not getting any bots yet!
Nice job with her!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thank you SO much HRT for the update on the Revolution.:hug Lukaslolamaus and I plan to dose several of our releases this year pending your results. Our bot season will probably start here in a few months - how far ahead would you recommend us starting the treatment? I was thinking maybe a month before? All of our releases have been tormented with them the last several years and I am expecting a bad year this year with our mild winter.:(
I love that Susie is living the good squirrley life and that she will still come visit you when you go to see her. Sounds like the perfect situation for you and her.:):Love_Icon

Lindsey, keep in mind that we don't know 100% that it will work yet. In about 4 weeks, if Susie has no bots I will KNOW that it worked based on her history. I wouldn't wait that long. It would probably be too late. I would dose them now.

Susie's last dose was 7 weeks ago. That was a little longer interval than I intended but the last time I saw her I didn't have the Revolution with me and when I went later she didn't come down to greet me. Realistically, I would prefer to dose her the least amount possible so if 2 doses works, I'm just thrilled about that. I figure today's dose should take us most of the way through the season... at least the worst part.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You have to go to her house huh?
You have to fix up that yard Hrt. Words out it's below standards. :rotfl

Good to hear about Susie not getting any bots yet!
Nice job with her!

:rotfl The difference is that I ACTUALLY mow my yard (all 2.5 acres) while my niece doesn't, especially the rough part. Her 3 acres is more wooded and has a creek. :peace

[HRT4SQRLS]

I went to my nieces yard this morning to check on Susie. Within seconds I saw her traveling through the trees towards me. I am thrilled to report that as of today (July 15), SUSIE HAS NO BOTS! :bliss I looked up the date on last years post. On Aug 11th I brought her in full disabled from bots so I am encouraged that the Revolution IS working. The previous year (2014) the thread was started on Aug 4th. I would think by now she would have some. The next 3-4 weeks will be critical.

There is a good reason why Susie lives in my nieces yard. It is more 'natural' with trees, a creek and non-yard areas. She also has a fabulous barn. My niece is an agriculture teacher at the local high school. Our area was once rural. Developers have bought huge tracts of land and built subdivisions. :frustratedx:hissyfit Most of her students live in these subdivisions in their MacMansions or so they think. :shakehead I asked her why city kids take agriculture and she said they want to be vets.
Of course, they can't put livestock in their backyard. These kids show livestock in the local fairs as part of their agriculture curriculum. She let about 4 or 5 of the kids house their animals on her property. Because these are show animals they are grain fed daily. Well DUH... Susie ain't stupid. She know where prime housing AND a daily supply of grain is SO she lives there. Makes sense right! :peace

The barn my niece had built is unbelievable. It is part barn/part photo studio (2 story). She literally spent more on this barn than my house cost. She mentioned the other day about rats eating the grain and chewing the panel insulation between the rafters. She mentioned rat poison and I ALMOST HIT THE ROOF! I told her DON'T YOU DARE!!!!! I love her dearly BUT!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sara in NW MS]

Hey HRT, is it safe to give revolution to pregnant or nursing squirrels? I've noticed Judie scratching a lot lately. It's almost like whatever is on her is driving her mad. I have revolution and ivermectin but I've never given either of those to a squirrel before. Just wondering which is best for them if they are possibly pregnant.
It seems like Judie is pregnant the moment she stops caring for her babies. I keep telling her to stop letting these men come over into her house but she doesn't listen. Anyway, if she's not pregnant then she's nursing. That's how it has been since she was released.
Oh, and do you put the revolution on her topically or give it to her orally? I've heard people dose it both ways.
I'm glad to hear Susie is bot free. Those bots she had gave me nightmares for weeks. I literally couldn't get the images out of my head.

[astra]

For a pregnant sq - topical revolution.
Ivermectin is too toxic

Revolution - part fur on her back between shoulders and put a drop. Can repeat every 7-10 days three times, then - stop. Repeat the course in a couple of weeks. It must get onto the skin. Just on fur won't be effective. If you can't part fur on her back - try at least some other body part. But it must be on the skin.


Hey HRT, is it safe to give revolution to pregnant or nursing squirrels? I've noticed Judie scratching a lot lately. It's almost like whatever is on her is driving her mad. I have revolution and ivermectin but I've never given either of those to a squirrel before. Just wondering which is best for them if they are possibly pregnant.
It seems like Judie is pregnant the moment she stops caring for her babies. I keep telling her to stop letting these men come over into her house but she doesn't listen. Anyway, if she's not pregnant then she's nursing. That's how it has been since she was released.
Oh, and do you put the revolution on her topically or give it to her orally? I've heard people dose it both ways.
I'm glad to hear Susie is bot free. Those bots she had gave me nightmares for weeks. I literally couldn't get the images out of my head.

[CritterMom]

For a pregnant sq - topical revolution.
Ivermectin is too toxic

Revolution - part fur on her back between shoulders and put a drop. Can repeat every 7-10 days three times, then - stop. Repeat the course in a couple of weeks. It must get onto the skin. Just on fur won't be effective. If you can't part fur on her back - try at least some other body part. But it must be on the skin.

No, I am sorry - this is not right. Every 7-10 days is the dosage for ivermectin given orally, NOT Revolution.

Revolution is 1-2 drops on the SKIN on the back of the neck to be repeated every 30 days as needed.

[Nancy in New York]

No, I am sorry - this is not right. Every 7-10 days is the dosage for ivermectin given orally, NOT Revolution.

Revolution is 1-2 drops on the SKIN on the back of the neck to be repeated every 30 days as needed.

Good catch CritterMom! :w00t

[Mel1959]

Is the Revolution for cats/kitten what I should buy? Should I dose my boys who are in the RC now? I expect them to be in the RC for about a month, but want them to be protected from fleas once they are out of the RC.

[astra]

Yes. Good catch.

The only thing - about 4 yrs ago or so someone had to dose with revolution repeatedly similarly to the way ivermectin is administered because the first dose of revolution didn't seem to work.

It could very well be good luck that there were no adverse effects. :thinking


No, I am sorry - this is not right. Every 7-10 days is the dosage for ivermectin given orally, NOT Revolution.

Revolution is 1-2 drops on the SKIN on the back of the neck to be repeated every 30 days as needed.

[CritterMom]

Is the Revolution for cats/kitten what I should buy? Should I dose my boys who are in the RC now? I expect them to be in the RC for about a month, but want them to be protected from fleas once they are out of the RC.

Yes, the cat/kitten is fine and I would begin dosing as soon as they go outside, and do it as long as they will allow you after release, too. Mr. & Mrs. Skul had a beautiful little gray girl named Rocky who lived and had babies outside - and came into the house regularly, often doing a co-parenting thing with her babies...and Rocky got treated monthly with Revolution for 6 years...

[HRT4SQRLS]

:fireworks:fireworks IT WORKED!!! :fireworks:fireworks

I can't tell you how happy I am today. I just got back from visiting Susie. She is PERFECT and she is EXPECTING!! :bliss
I'm going to be a grandma! :grin2
She doesn't have a single bot! :wahoo Her skin and fur are beautiful. After what we've been through for the last 2 years with bot flys, today's visit with my girl was just awesome. I don't think anyone can understand unless they have experienced the horror of this. Susie only had 2 doses of Revolution, the first at the end of April. I truly believe that the Revolution prevented the bot fly microfilarial stage from setting up active growth of larvae. :grin2 Let's just say, it made a believer out of me.

275739275740275741275742
275743275744275745

:tap The pics are all sideways and distorted. Number 5 and 6 are a selfie but I'm not about to put my mug in the pic. :tilt
I had to take these pics with my iPad. Because of a recent breakin at my niece's house (a $26,000 theft :pissed ) I have been hiding expensive things in my house. Of course, I can't remember where I hid my camera. :shakehead

[DarkLies212]

Sorry to hear about the nasty break in :hug

But great news on the Revolution!!!

[Bravo]

Susie looks great! :grouphug Couldn't ask for a happier fuzzy smile. :dance

[PennyCash]

I'm so sorry that there was a break in... Scary I know
Thrilled however that the Revolution worked and your going to be a Grandma :w00t

[lennysmom]

WONDERFUL NEWS!!:w00t Wow, not only is Susie bot free, but expecting too?! How exciting! Doesn't get much better then that!:grin3:Love_Icon This is the news I have been anxiously awaiting!!!:dance Lenny got his first dose a couple of weeks ago and our bot season usually starts towards the end of August, so I have high hopes that he will remain bot free this season too!:great
Thank you HRT for keeping us updated on the results!:hug

[Mel1959]

Wow, Patti, that is very exciting! So your Susie is what a pregnant squeez looks like. She's beautiful and such great news that the Revolution is working. I will be getting some for my boys....I definitely don't want to deal with those nasty things.

[Cesta]

:fireworks:fireworks IT WORKED!!! :fireworks:fireworks

I can't tell you how happy I am today. I just got back from visiting Susie. She is PERFECT and she is EXPECTING!! :bliss
I'm going to be a grandma! :grin2
She doesn't have a single bot! :wahoo Her skin and fur are beautiful. After what we've been through for the last 2 years with bot flys, today's visit with my girl was just awesome. I don't think anyone can understand unless they have experienced the horror of this. Susie only had 2 doses of Revolution, the first at the end of April. I truly believe that the Revolution prevented the bot fly microfilarial stage from setting up active growth of larvae. :grin2 Let's just say, it made a believer out of me.

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:tap The pics are all sideways and distorted. Number 5 and 6 are a selfie but I'm not about to put my mug in the pic. :tilt
I had to take these pics with my iPad. Because of a recent breakin at my niece's house (a $26,000 theft :pissed ) I have been hiding expensive things in my house. Of course, I can't remember where I hid my camera. :shakehead

OH MY GOSH!! I'M SO, SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! I know how much love, time, and more love you've shown Susie. (not to mention money...!) And she's rewarding you with BABIES! FINALLY! Best thing I've seen in a long time! CONGRATULATIONS to you and Susie!!!! You just made my whole day!
:w00t :dance :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :bliss :w00t :dance
:serene

[Cesta]

And praise the Lord, no bots! Susie is gorgeous, her fur is perfect-- it's like the whole bot debacle never happened.
Thanks for experimenting with the Revolution. I'm going to give some to Luna and Palmer...
It's just a drop on a shelled pecan or walnut, right?

And again, woo-hoo, a Grandma! How exciting. What a beautiful reward for both of you! I can't wait for Luna to have babies. She's got to stop chasing all the boys off, tho! :tap

:grouphug

[Ekorre]

:fireworks:fireworks IT WORKED!!! :fireworks:fireworks

I can't tell you how happy I am today. I just got back from visiting Susie. She is PERFECT and she is EXPECTING!! :bliss
I'm going to be a grandma! :grin2
She doesn't have a single bot! :wahoo Her skin and fur are beautiful. After what we've been through for the last 2 years with bot flys, today's visit with my girl was just awesome. I don't think anyone can understand unless they have experienced the horror of this. Susie only had 2 doses of Revolution, the first at the end of April. I truly believe that the Revolution prevented the bot fly microfilarial stage from setting up active growth of larvae. :grin2 Let's just say, it made a believer out of me.

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:tap The pics are all sideways and distorted. Number 5 and 6 are a selfie but I'm not about to put my mug in the pic. :tilt
I had to take these pics with my iPad. Because of a recent breakin at my niece's house (a $26,000 theft :pissed ) I have been hiding expensive things in my house. Of course, I can't remember where I hid my camera. :shakehead

Congratulations, HRT4SQRLS! :woot I just read this entire thread and was actually moved to tears by the love & commitment you have for Susie (and squirrels in general). That's true love! :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon Amazing... :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon :bowdown

P.S. I'm really sorry to hear about the break-in. :eek

[Spanky]

Hi H4S... I "shadowed" your Revolution treatment. In mid-July I dosed half a dozen regulars with an Almond with just a drop of Revolution. Today Stone showed up with a bot; I hadn't seen him in 4 - 5 days. He was dosed on July 15. The good news is there is no signs of bots on the other 5.

I hope you do not mind my sharing my thoughts in your thread?

1) Stone may not have eaten all of his Almond... I cannot be 100% certain
2) Sometimes the squirrels "scrape off" the paper coating on the almonds with their teeth and eat only the "white meat".
2.1) Maybe next round I will actually drill a hole into the meat of the almond and deposit the Rev inside the nut?
3) Perhaps the dose was too small? I used a single Kitten size vial and got a drop on all six nuts. When I place on the fresh releases necks, I am lucky to get 4 doses (typically 3 though).
3.1) Stone is the noticeably largest squirrel of the ones that got Rev (I'd guess 20% larger).. the others included little guys / Juvies Squirt (runt), Synn and Spyro, Juvie Smurf and Shep (lean adult male).
4) Maybe I should have given a second dose sooner? I know they say 30 days, but I was planning 45 days?!?

[lennysmom]

Spanky, just a thought I might add a tip about helping to make sure they receive their entire dose on the nut. I put the drop on a small piece of pecan, let it dry, and then put a very small dab of peanut butter on top of it since all of mine love peanut butter so much. I have had very good results with acceptance of meds using this method.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I am revisiting this thread because this year will be a 'test' year. I'm always trying to detect a pattern with bot flys. In the past I suspected that years with a wet spring were particularly bad for bot flys. In FL the Spring is typically very dry, even to the point of drought. The summer rains don't usually start until mid June.

We have had record breaking rainfall this year. It has rained almost every day in May.
A conservative estimate of the rainfall in my yard is 15 inches or greater. I guess I can test that theory about rain and bot fly outbreaks. I will try to dose some of the squirrels with Revolution but it's unlikely that I can dose them all. There are more than a dozen regulars, probably closer to 20.

Stay tuned for an update. The thoughts of a BAD botfly season with this number of new releases is a little scary. :eek

[TubeDriver]

Just reread this thread and those nasty bots in Susie and then later photos of her smiling and bot free.:great

We have also had incredible amounts of rain. How often do you treat with Revolution to prevent bot infestation?




I am revisiting this thread because this year will be a 'test' year. I'm always trying to detect a pattern with bot flys. In the past I suspected that years with a wet spring were particularly bad for bot flys. In FL the Spring is typically very dry, even to the point of drought. The summer rains don't usually start until mid June.

We have had record breaking rainfall this year. It has rained almost every day in May.
A conservative estimate of the rainfall in my yard is 15 inches or greater. I guess I can test that theory about rain and bot fly outbreaks. I will try to dose some of the squirrels with Revolution but it's unlikely that I can dose them all. There are more than a dozen regulars, probably closer to 20.

Stay tuned for an update. The thoughts of a BAD botfly season with this number of new releases is a little scary. :eek

[HRT4SQRLS]

Tube, it's all speculation but I have to start somewhere. The successful year.... no bots for Susie... she was dosed twice. Whether that had anything to do with it or not is speculation. Last year definitely seemed to be an 'off' year for bot fly infestation and I didn't dose anyone.

[Mel1959]

Interesting that I stumbled across this thread. When I had May up to see Dr. E we were discussing botflys and I mentioned your experiment. She concurred that the Revolution probably does help. She also thought this year would be a bad year for bots. :sniff :eek:eek. I’m glad I picked up some Revolution from her. I will treat mine, too.

Is it one drop orally on a nut?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yep...shoot, yours are so tame you could dose them with a drop between the shoulders.

[Mel1959]

Yep...shoot, yours are so tame you could dose them with a drop between the shoulders.

I will dose May and Peeps with a drop between the shoulders and the other “known” wilds with a drop on a nut orally. :grin2

Can nursing moms get dosed with kitten Revolution orally?

[stosh2010]

A couple of years ago our Oscuro :oscuro had two bots...and they went away with out treatment. The cavities were really spooky looking (YUK !). I was thrilled when they healed and disappeared.
I am very glad that Susie survived her massive bot infestation.
I hope this summer passes uneventfully......................
301800301801

'



491

[RamaMama]

:Love_Icon I hope, by using the Revolution early in the season, little Susie will have NO bot touch her. :Love_Icon :serene


:eek Those larva really give me the "willies" - I cringe just thinking about those disgusting buggers. :yuck

[Tomkay91]

311610
Wild caught adult squirrel brought to me today. Vet tech who caught her helped remove bots. She was lethargic and partially paralyzed in her front legs. She had 4 "empty" holes filled with pus, 3 bots. Started her on pain meds before we even started. All 7 holes flushed with betadine and packed with antibiotic cream. That was 5 hours ago. Just checked on her and she seems exhausted but better. This was my first go at an adult or with bots. Holy crow! Going to keep her inside resting for a few days. What's one more when you have 9 bottle babies already?

[Tomkay91]

311610
Wild caught adult squirrel brought to me today. Vet tech who caught her helped remove bots. She was lethargic and partially paralyzed in her front legs. She had 4 "empty" holes filled with pus, 3 bots. Started her on pain meds before we even started. All 7 holes flushed with betadine and packed with antibiotic cream. That was 5 hours ago. Just checked on her and she seems exhausted but better. This was my first go at an adult or with bots. Holy crow! Going to keep her inside resting for a few days. What's one more when you have 9 bottle babies already?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Today is May 28, 2020. Earlier today I saw two squirrels with bot warbles. I couldn’t believe it.
This is the earliest in the season I have ever seen bots.
Buckle your seatbelts, it’s gonna be a long season.

For those that help by responding to posts it would be helpful to have this information.
When posters come with wound issues you might want to consider bots as a possibility.
‘‘Tis the season” . :shakehead :(

[Sam21]

Poor Susie. This is so horrible.

[RockyPops]

Got to try and help my little ones this year. Thank goodness Coco has never had bots terribly bad but I can't stand to see her with one or two even and imagine what it would feel like with those things under your skin.

I think I'm gonna try Revolution for bot fly prevention this year.

I know you can order it from Joe's but which package is recommended for squirrels? And dosage? Oral or topical only?

And is Panacure (sp) a possibility? I saw a video on it the other day. Dog de-wormer?

Thanks in advance.

[CritterMom]

Got to try and help my little ones this year. Thank goodness Coco has never had bots terribly bad but I can't stand to see her with one or two even and imagine what it would feel like with those things under your skin.

I think I'm gonna try Revolution for bot fly prevention this year.

I know you can order it from Joe's but which package is recommended for squirrels? And dosage? Oral or topical only?

And is Panacure (sp) a possibility? I saw a video on it the other day. Dog de-wormer?

Thanks in advance.

You can also get Revolution here: https://www.canadavetexpress.com/flea-and-tick-control-treatment/revolution-for-cats/p56.aspx

They are a little more expensive though with the sale it is very close. But being in Canada, the shipping is MUCH faster (Joes is in Australia). Get the puppy/kitten formula, but do NOT get the new Revolution Plus for cats. No to Panacur for bots - totally different type of critter. Squirrels can have it but it doesn't work on bots.

I almost passed out when I saw a new thread here from HRT4SQRLS...:sadness

Whoops - almost forgot. One drop, either orally (place a drop on a pecan half, let it dry for a bit, then smear a little peanut butter over the place you put the meds, then toss to the squirrel) or if they are captives, on the back of the neck (have to part the fur to get it on the skin). Dosing is ever 30 days. Patti used to start giving them Revolution in the Spring, BEFORE the bots appear and gave it throughout the summer.

[TubeDriver]

And just to echo CM's response, you have to let the Revolution dry on the pecan half and then smear a tiny bit of peanut butter over the dried Revolution. Squirrels will not eat a nut with wet Revolution on it because they can smell the carrier (alcohol) which evaporates as it dries out. A tiny bit of peanut butter covers it up and squirrel will eat!



Got to try and help my little ones this year. Thank goodness Coco has never had bots terribly bad but I can't stand to see her with one or two even and imagine what it would feel like with those things under your skin.

I think I'm gonna try Revolution for bot fly prevention this year.

I know you can order it from Joe's but which package is recommended for squirrels? And dosage? Oral or topical only?

And is Panacure (sp) a possibility? I saw a video on it the other day. Dog de-wormer?

Thanks in advance.

[RockyPops]

Thanks CM and Tube!

I'll check into it. Gotta get it headed my way. Bot season is around the corner here in N. Alabama.

I know CM. I miss HRT and Nancy so much! They left such a hole! :sad

Thanks to all the Squirrel Board members who are always ready to help!

[Charley Chuckles]

HRT4SQRLS started me using Revolution around April/ may in my area, we both figured it was worth a try 🤷I so miss Patti 🥺
I gave it to my released and did so throughout the season. It did seem to lessen the bots on my kids👍
I've already seen a few bot flys cought in the skimmer of my pool, good dead 😉

[RockyPops]

Bot fly treatment follow up questions.

Thanks for the Canadianvetmeds link Crittermom. I order revolution from them. Got it in about 10-12 days. They had a 10% off sale and shipping was free so ended up being a little cheaper than I expected. About $43.00.

You get 3 vials. Each vial looks to have 2, maybe 3 drops in it. I guess depending on drop size. Anyone have info or experience with how many pecans you can treat per vial? I'd like to treat 2 or 3 squirrels per vial for 3 months if possible.

I looked back in my older posts and Coco would present with definite bots around the first week of Sept. with swelling about a week before. So I was thinking of treating her beginning Mid June, mid July, mid August.

Anyone agree or disagree feel free to comment!

[CritterMom]

There is more than that in the vial - you likely will be able to treat more than you think.

How large are your squirrels on average - as adults? A lot of the protocols here has been written around Florida squirrels because so many members, especially the members who have been here for a while are from Florida, Land of Tiny Squirrels. So they average 500 grams in Florida - where I live they are 750 to 900+ grams. I would use TWO drops per nut half unless you have tiny guys like FL does, and I think your schedule sounds good, except I wouldn't stop in August. I would continue until you guys start getting some freezes.

[RockyPops]

Thanks CM!

A large gray here squirrel I estimate would be about 24 Oz. maybe. Average size would be roughly 18-22 oz.

500 to 700 grams +-.

I haven't actually opened the vial yet so I'll get a better idea at that time.

If I only use half of a vial, can I store the open vial for a month?

Thanks again!

[CritterMom]

Yes you can. They have a little cap that you press down and it punctures the tube. Keep the cap and use it to recap the vial - press it down just like you did to puncture it and it makes a tight seal. I tape the vials to the inside of my refrigerator door so they can't tip and are at a constant temp unlike my house.

[astrll]

I can get ten drops out of one vial! I make the dosed pecans ahead of time and then when the squirrels come to visit, I have it on hand to give them.

Not sure about you, but my squirrels can get difficult! I always make sure to give them a regular pecan first to see if they’re going to eat a pecan or if they’re going to go hide it.

If they go to hide the pecan, I try again another time. I don’t want the Revolution pecans to get buried somewhere for another animal!

[CritterMom]

I can get ten drops out of one vial! I make the dosed pecans ahead of time and then when the squirrels come to visit, I have it on hand to give them.

Not sure about you, but my squirrels can get difficult! I always make sure to give them a regular pecan first to see if they’re going to eat a pecan or if they’re going to go hide it.

If they go to hide the pecan, I try again another time. I don’t want the Revolution pecans to get buried somewhere for another animal!

Make sure you let the Revolution dry on the pecan - I usually let it dry for at least a couple hours. If your guys prefer walnuts, they can be used, too. After it dries (it is in an alcohol based carrier that they can smell, once it evaporates it smells better). Then, smear some peanut butter or almond butter or even nutella on the side you put the Revolution.

[RockyPops]

Change of plans.

I had a wild show up the other day with 2 bot fly bumps.

So I moved treatment up to mid may.

Also I can indeed get about 12 drops of rev per vial.

So I treated Coco plus 10 more today.

I'll treat Coco and her nemesis, old half tail momma, again mid June. They're the only two I can identify 100%. The rest will be hit and miss.

Hoping that posting this here will help someone else in the future. :great

P.S. I let rev dry on pecan 1 1/2 hours +-, covered with peanut butter. Each and every squirrel devoured the nut no questions asked...!

[RockyPops]

Well little Coco got hit up yesterday. As in will be a momma again in a few weeks.

Will Revolution orally be O.K. for a pregnant mom? Her next dose is due about June 15th.

Thanks!

[lukaslolamaus]

Giving this post a bump, since I don't have the answer you're seeking.....
:bump

[astrll]

Well little Coco got hit up yesterday. As in will be a momma again in a few weeks.

Will Revolution orally be O.K. for a pregnant mom? Her next dose is due about June 15th.

Thanks!

I am in no way a rehabber, but from what I’ve learned from other rehabbers on TSB is that Revolution is generally safe for pregnant squirrels.

I’ve used it on my pregnant squirrels with no issues for about a year now.

I hope someone more knowledgeable than me can help you and Coco! Congrats! :D

[TubeDriver]

Revolution is supposed to be safe for pregnant/nursing moms.



I am in no way a rehabber, but from what I’ve learned from other rehabbers on TSB is that Revolution is generally safe for pregnant squirrels.

I’ve used it on my pregnant squirrels with no issues for about a year now.

I hope someone more knowledgeable than me can help you and Coco! Congrats! :D

[RockyPops]

Just for future reference,

Coco and 9 others got their second dose of revolution today. So far so good!

[RockyPops]

Treated Coco, Halftrack, and about 6 others with Revolution on July 16th. That's 3rd dose for Coco and Halftrack and for other random squirrels.

I saver one dose for next month for Coco and now it's all gone. Fingers crossed!

[RockyPops]

I treated Coco with final dose of Revolution today 8/15/2023. I had saved her a dose for August as she usually presents with bots in early September. The wilds got their last dose in July.

If Rev seems to work this year, next year I may wait until June to start dosing.

So we'll see!