Fox Squirrel with neck swelling

[squirrelena]

Hi guys,
Any guess as to what would cause this swelling?
Our guess was abscess/infection and try an antibiotic?
We are trying to decide if it would be best to attempt to treat in wild? Or to capture and treat...
My preference if to treat in the wild because of how late it is in the season, food cache and water established.
Thanks,
Elena (Squirrelena)

[Charley Chuckles]

Oh poor sweet baby, I'm not sure what can cause this anything from spider or other type of bite to tooth issues maybe a tumor I'm sure others here will give you better answers.
Prayers to you both.

[Mel1959]

If I had to guess, I’d say it was an abscess. Most abscesses open on their own. They have to open and drain to heal. Antibiotics won’t really be able to help until that happens. If you think you could trap then you could lance it to get it drained, but it would be stressful for both of you.

Do you have access to any antibiotics? Once the abscess ruptures providing antibiotics would be good while he’s still in the wild. Someone on here can help you with dosing and a way to do that.

[Rocky1]

I had a scenario a while back where a wild squirrel had a similar swelling that turned out to be a tooth/mouth injury. In that case, I put some yum yums/nuts in a travel cage and carefully closed the door, and took her to someone who promised to help her without any possibility of euthanizing. Please let us know if you have any more questions and about the out come. Good luck!