Unhealthy PA squirrels

[Lynda]

Hello,

I'm a new member. I have joined because I'm in distress about the squirrels in my yard. This past week my heart was broken when I saw one with a golf ball sized lump on his left cheek. His left eye was also blinded. He was extremely thin, not able to eat, hobbling, disoriented. That was the last I saw of him. What a helpless feeling I had. Now I see another one with a lump on his right cheek and under his neck, that has grown considerably in just a couple days.
My question is.....does this sound familiar to anyone? I understand it could be an absess from a injury, but two squirrels? Could there be something in my yard that's causing this? Is there anything I can do for him?

Thank you, Lynda

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

It is bot fly season, but I've never seen one in the location you are describing.

In order to help them, you will need to catch the squirrels and take them to a local wildlife rehabilitator. Can you by chance get a picture?

[Mars]

pictures would help greatly here as several possiblities come to mind. :)

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

I agree a picture would help greatly!! I am in Pa. but about 2 hrs from you.
Here is one listing I found that may or maynot be near you.
Leah A. Stallings
Mary JaneStretch

AARK Wildlife Rehab. & Education Center, Inc.
107 Twining Bridge Rd., Newtown, PA 18940


Chester County

Chester Co. Sanctuary for Wild Bird Rehabilitation
1986 W. Strasburg Rd.
Coatesville, PA 19320
(phone) 610-486-6067 (fax) 610-486-6363

Lehigh County

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
3701 Orchid Place
Emmaus, PA 18049
(610) 965-4397 x39

Northampton County

Majestic Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center
3216 Keystone Street
Bethlehem, PA 18020
(610) 867-7178

Philadelphia County

Schuylkill Wildlife Rescue Center
8480 Hagys Mill Road
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-8217

[Lynda]

Thank you all for responding. I have not yet seen the little guy today in order to get a photo. I'm starting to get a bad feeling that this could be a poisoning case. Can anyone tell me the symptoms of poisoning?
Thank you,
Lynda

[Buddy'sMom]

Very puzzling. It seems unlikely to me that poisoning could cause the lump/swelling that you describe (tho I could be wrong, of course).

"Poisoning" covers a lot of territory and different poisons would have different effects. Do you have reason to suspect there is something they could have gotten into? If you have any ideas, we could research the effects of that poison specifically.

We did some research a few months ago into pesticide poisoning (e.g., rat poison) and you can probably rule that out -- most common are anticoagulants (exposed animals bleed to death internally, become progressively weaker and lethargic and may therefore be more likely to succomb to predators, cars, disease, falls, etc. -- but would not develop lumps or abcesses).

Is it possibly a reaction to some kind of insect bite?

:grouphug

[4skwerlz]

I don't think it's poisoning. Probably either an overgrown tooth that caused an abcess, or a wound from a predator that got infected. If you see this little guy again, can you try to rescue him? Use a large towel or sheet or whatever's handy, throw it over him and scoop him up. Then put him in a box or pet carrier of some kind. Anything with a lid and breathing holes. Sounds like he's pretty far gone, so he may not give you much trouble. They often seem to know when they need help. Others can give you more detailed info on how to capture him if you need it. Then take him to one of the wildlife centers or rehabbers on Rippie's list. Thanks so much for caring. Poor little tyke!!

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

Here is a page on botfly, does it look anything like this?
http://botfly.ifas.ufl.edu/ABOTFLY/overview.htm

When it first starts it looks like a pink swelling.

[Lynda]

I finally got a photo. I think it IS those darn Bot Flies.
Not sure if you can zoom in on this photo, but by his ear it looks like the sore caused by the Bot Fly.
What do you all think?

Thanks,
Lynda

[Mars]

It appears to be either a bot fly or an abscess. The bare spot near the ear - can you see an openning?? It there is an openning then it is the warble of a bot fly. If no openning it is most likely an abcess.