Squirrel Pox... Please help... I don't like seeing my outside squirrels with pox.

[susie]

I am having a hard time finding help. I have posted my phone number and still don't get any response. Doesn't anyone care if these squirrels are suffering? Nobody seems to care to tell what they might know to help these little critters. They didn't do anything to deserve this.

[stepnstone]

Susie, I have never dealt with Sqrl pox personally and would not be
in any position to advise on a subject I have no experence with.
However, we do have a section that deals with this subject on many levels.
Please check it out, you may find the answers your looking for there.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?165-Squirrel-Pox

[HRT4SQRLS]

Susie,
I'm sure your lack of responses here is because no one knows the answer to your question. Squirrel pox is a horrible disease. I personally have not seen it but I have spent MANY hours researching it.

I can't remember a single case of advanced pox that was cured by taking the squirrel into rehab and giving antivirals. The few cases of advanced pox that I have read about that survived pox were left in their natural environment and given supportive care such as readily available food and water on safe platforms. When they are debilitated with pox the last thing they need is to be further stressed by starvation and dehydration. That is something that you CAN do for them. A pox squirrel that can't find food and water will die. A pox squirrel that is supported has the chance to survive. There is a study from south FL regarding pox. These were their conclusions and I have seen a few cases on TSB where a wild squirrel survived pox. I haven't seen any advanced cases survive pox when captured. Keep in mind that capturing a wild squirrel puts them under enormous stress. Stress in a pox squirrel is a bad combination.

It is my opinion that acyclovir does not cure pox. There is no scientific reason why it should. Acyclovir is used for Herpes viruses. Squirrel pox is not a herpes virus. I have read the documented cases where acyclovir was used on young squirrels ... some survived, some did not. It is my belief that the ones that did survive would have survived with or without the acyclovir. Squirrel pox is a virus. Most viral infection are either cleared by the immune system or go into latency in the body. I believe that those that were 'cured' were a result of the action of their own immune system.

Keep in mind that this is my opinion. Where in FL are the pox squirrels? North ... Central ... South. I'm in central FL.

[HRT4SQRLS]

http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=906746

[susie]

Susie,
I'm sure your lack of responses here is because no one knows the answer to your question. Squirrel pox is a horrible disease. I personally have not seen it but I have spent MANY hours researching it.

I can't remember a single case of advanced pox that was cured by taking the squirrel into rehab and giving antivirals. The few cases of advanced pox that I have read about that survived pox were left in their natural environment and given supportive care such as readily available food and water on safe platforms. When they are debilitated with pox the last thing they need is to be further stressed by starvation and dehydration. That is something that you CAN do for them. A pox squirrel that can't find food and water will die. A pox squirrel that is supported has the chance to survive. There is a study from south FL regarding pox. These were their conclusions and I have seen a few cases on TSB where a wild squirrel survived pox. I haven't seen any advanced cases survive pox when captured. Keep in mind that capturing a wild squirrel puts them under enormous stress. Stress in a pox squirrel is a bad combination.

It is my opinion that acyclovir does not cure pox. There is no scientific reason why it should. Acyclovir is used for Herpes viruses. Squirrel pox is not a herpes virus. I have read the documented cases where acyclovir was used on young squirrels ... some survived, some did not. It is my belief that the ones that did survive would have survived with or without the acyclovir. Squirrel pox is a virus. Most viral infection are either cleared by the immune system or go into latency in the body. I believe that those that were 'cured' were a result of the action of their own immune system.

Keep in mind that this is my opinion. Where in FL are the pox squirrels? North ... Central ... South. I'm in central FL.

I live in central east Florida. I am sure going to use echenacea in their water and clean their water dish and food are a couple of times with diluted bleach and keep feeding them. What kind of food do you recommend? I've heard that peanunts and sunflower seeds aren't the best food for squirrels. Anyone with recomendations, please advise. Thanks so much for helping.

[nchls_school]

I am having a hard time finding help. I have posted my phone number and still don't get any response. Doesn't anyone care if these squirrels are suffering? Nobody seems to care to tell what they might know to help these little critters. They didn't do anything to deserve this.

Susie,

I know the feelings of frustration in trying to help these wonderful animals. As hard as it is, sometimes there just isn't an easy answer, but I do hope that someone in the group can provide some measure of assistance. Did you look at the site I posted when you first asked about squirrel pox? Good luck.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I was just curious Susie, are you sure it's squirrel pox? Could you post a pic? The reason I asked is because the vector for squirrel pox is biting insects like mosquitos or fleas. Of course, they have fleas year round but mosquito borne illnesses usually peak in the summer not the winter. Maybe the mild winter could be responsible as we had our first freezer (right at 32 degrees) last week.

You are correct that peanuts and sunflower seeds are not good for squirrels. As far as nuts, the best nuts for squirrels are almonds. I buy large bags of shelled almonds from Costco. Do you know someone that is a member of Costco or SAMs club? A member here has a recipe that makes rodent block palatable for wilds. Mazuri rodent block can be bought at feed stores in 25 or 50lb (can't remember the size) bags for around $25. To try this out you could buy a small bag of Mazuri rodent block from a pet retailer. Wild squirrels won't eat them as is. They are coated in oil. A few blobs of peanut butter is added and they are microwaved. As they cool they absorb the peanut butter and then wilds will eat them. You could try that.

You could also give them avocado without the skin and pit.