Squinty has swollen cheeks and face- quite weak- what is it?

[Kihoalu]

Hi Folks,

Have not had any serious squirrel problems that I could not handle for a while until now.
And the Squirrel Board helped me out a great deal a few years ago!...

Squinty has been living in our trees for a couple of years now, comes and get nut treats occasionally.

He did not appear for a few days, and then suddenly is seen in the yard with serious swelling of cheeks and face.
Even the eyes are mostly swollen shut, and he is quite weak.
He just barely was able to get water from our lawn sprinkler.
I was unable to catch him (but stressed him out trying to do so) and he now is holed-up in our squirrel house in the tree in the front yard.

I can not figure out what is wrong with him! Here are a couple of pics:

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Does anyone think they know what is wrong with him!!

I do not think he will last much longer.
As long as he stays in the squirrel house in the front tree I can place food, water and medicine packets near the entrance for him to get.
But I do not know what to do!!

...Lawrence

[HRT4SQRLS]

Oh no! That looks bad. The only thing I can think of that might cause that is a venomous bite.
The only thing I can think of is to try to bring the box down with Squinty inside. He won’t survive long like that. He needs nutrition and water in a safe environment if he is to have any chance to heal.

So sad for him and you.

[Kihoalu]

Hi Heart and Nancy,

He is still holed-up in the Front Tree (Elm) House (I have not taken it down yet, more below).

Another data point - He has much trouble moving like he also has a serious leg or hip problem.
Whatever it is, it is affecting his body in several places, but I did not see any "pox-like" things on him.

He was able to climb the tree very slowly, to get into the Elm House yesterday after I tried to catch him.
I think he feels he has the most safety in the Elm House (he has lived there on a off for a while).

I left some plum slices for a water source (they are in season here and squirrels are eating them) and some ground-up walnut on the porch of the Elm House.

By 7PM he seemed to have consumed some, so last night I left another batch.

(How I do this: I cut a 5 inch square of sandwich bag plastic, put the stuff on the plastic, fold the corners together to fit a clothes pin on the end of a long stick. I then place the packet on the porch of the Tree House 15ft up with the stick and release the clothes pin with a piece of string. The packet then unfolds naturally leaving a little pallet of food.)

This AM I took down the leftover plum and walnut food and constructed a small plastic two-bowl dish (4" long 2" wide and 7/8" deep).
I placed two teaspoons of ground raw almonds in one bowl, and water in the other bowl.
With some special care and maneuvering I used the clothes pin on the end of the stick to place the 2 bowl dish on the porch of the Elm House without spilling much of the water.

Just a few minutes ago (8:30AM) he poked out and I saw him drink some of the water - Yea! - At least he is still alive!
I should also be able to tell if he eats any of the ground almond.
I have rigged an Arlo camera outside the Tree House but it does not have a very good view (too far away), I will try to improve that.

In order to take down the house, I have to bring out a 14ft extension ladder, and rig a rope and gri-gri (climbing gear) for safety.
Then I have to quietly climb the ladder, block the Tree House entrance, unscrew the fasteners and lower it with a second rope.
The process takes close to an hour. Last time I tried it was with another ill squirrel that I could not catch who took shelter in the Tulip Tree House. The process worked but stressed the squirrel a great deal. The poor little creature died just 1/2 hour after I got her into a comfortable cage. I think that moving the house and extracting Squinty from it at this point will have much the same outcome.

I just wish I knew what disease Squinty has, in case it happens to another little friend!
Can some here conjecture a few other possible diseases? (besides the venom bite - which I guess is still a possibility)

Would antibiotic do any good?

(if he stays in the house I can probably manage some dosing with food, have done that before, not the best option but workable)

I could also administer ibuprofen in food if he will eat it.

...Lawrence