Mingo came up with a lump

[SquirrelFun123]

Hello, a squirrel we nammed Mingo has been visiting us since October 2021. He usually comes once a week. A regular but not that much.
Today, we saw him and he developped a big lump on his back. 320874

I am thinking cancer, abcess or cyst. What do you think?

I know two of these things are treatable.

I would be sad to loose Mingo. I love him, he's pretty cute.

EDIT: I don't know why it uploaded 5 images, sorry I am new.

[Mel1959]

Is Mingo moving ok? Climbing? Walking? It’s a little hard to tell from the picture if the lump is round and isolated to one spot or if it is oblong and runs the length of his back.

[SquirrelFun123]

Is Mingo moving ok? Climbing? Walking? It’s a little hard to tell from the picture if the lump is round and isolated to one spot or if it is oblong and runs the length of his back.

Mingo is ok. He has always been a slower squirrel. His energy has not changed. The lump is right at the edge of the shoulder/back.

I found a picture online that ressembles Mingo's lump. It's only a bit smaller for him. 320879

[Mel1959]

Any time we see an isolated lump the first thought is an abscess. Most abscesses rupture on their own, but some don’t. It’s impossible for it to heal if it doesn’t rupture as the infection in the inside is too dense to be absorbed or dissipate.

The second thought is an injury to the spine, but you would definitely see his movements being compromised.

Is this a squirrel you could capture if necessary? It’s always very stressful to capture so the next option is just to monitor and see if the abscess ruptures. At that time an oral antibiotic might be needed for a secondary infection. You might try to locate some antibiotics in case they’re needed. Human versions are fine, just post what you find. The problem with treating Mingo with an antibiotic is the infrequency with which you see him, since antibiotics should be given daily for 7 or more days.

If this is an abscess most squirrels will recover on their own.

[CritterMom]

Since Mingo is a boy, I would guess abscess. I have been seeing lots of mating behavior the past few weeks and a bite from another squirrel in a mating scuffle would do this. Abscesses usually blow up pretty quickly. Hopefully this one will burst on its own.

[SquirrelFun123]

Any time we see an isolated lump the first thought is an abscess. Most abscesses rupture on their own, but some don’t. It’s impossible for it to heal if it doesn’t rupture as the infection in the inside is too dense to be absorbed or dissipate.

The second thought is an injury to the spine, but you would definitely see his movements being compromised.

Is this a squirrel you could capture if necessary? It’s always very stressful to capture so the next option is just to monitor and see if the abscess ruptures. At that time an oral antibiotic might be needed for a secondary infection. You might try to locate some antibiotics in case they’re needed. Human versions are fine, just post what you find. The problem with treating Mingo with an antibiotic is the infrequency with which you see him, since antibiotics should be given daily for 7 or more days.

If this is an abscess most squirrels will recover on their own.


Glad to know it's probably not cancer. Mingo has been chasing around females as an other comment suggested. I could trap him with a cage. We had to do it for a broken humerus in 2020.

[Mel1959]

No need to stress him by trapping if it’s not necessary. Maybe observe for awhile and see if the abscess ruptures on its own.

[SquirrelFun123]

As he does (coming once every 5-7 days), I saw Mingo today! It's def not cancer. The lump 4x in size but it isn't round like a ball anymore.
It has kind of has a slightly flat appearence now. 320903

[Mel1959]

That’s a good pic. I’m not sure what that could be. I hope others will comment. It doesn’t look quite as much like an abscess anymore. I’m perplexed.

You could reach out to Dr. Emerson at Ravenwood Vet Clinic and ask her office staff if they’d show her the picture and get her opinion. Her office number is 386-788-1550. She’s one of the best squirrel vets anywhere.

[SquirrelFun123]

That’s a good pic. I’m not sure what that could be. I hope others will comment. It doesn’t look quite as much like an abscess anymore. I’m perplexed.

You could reach out to Dr. Emerson at Ravenwood Vet Clinic and ask her office staff if they’d show her the picture and get her opinion. Her office number is 386-788-1550. She’s one of the best squirrel vets anywhere.

Not from the USA. It's weird. The squirrel doesn't seem bothered by it. I don't think cancer could evolve like that in 6 days.

[MyBushyTail]

Years ago we had an adult female with a lump in almost the exact same place as your squirrels lump. Her lump got so huge very quickly but never popped. After a few weeks we finally were able to catch her and sure enough the huge lump was an abscess. Had it drained several times since it kept coming back. Unfortunately the infection spread throughout her body so quickly that she ended up passing away from infection in the rehabbers care. We have also had others out in the wild that had huge abscesses that drained and healed all on their own. If yours keep flattening as days go by we would assume that is a good sign, as if indeed an abscess it must be draining/healing.

[SquirrelFun123]

Years ago we had an adult female with a lump in almost the exact same place as your squirrels lump. Her lump got so huge very quickly but never popped. After a few weeks we finally were able to catch her and sure enough the huge lump was an abscess. Had it drained several times since it kept coming back. Unfortunately the infection spread throughout her body so quickly that she ended up passing away from infection in the rehabbers care. We have also had others out in the wild that had huge abscesses that drained and healed all on their own. If yours keep flattening as days go by we would assume that is a good sign, as if indeed an abscess it must be draining/healing.

Thanks I will monitor Mingo's case with his weekly visit(s).

[SquirrelFun123]

MINGO UPDATE: Mingo came up this morning, completely cured. There
is a depression in his body where the abcess was. Fur starting to grow back. So glad he's ok!

[Mel1959]

That’s great news. :dance

[Charley Chuckles]

Great news 👍

[Chirps]

Just seeing this thread. Hooray! So glad Mingo is okay. :w00t

[SquirrelFun123]

I've got bad news. Mingo's abcess is all good but he sprained his back leg. What a tough stretch for him. Today, I saw him at the neighboor's feeder, it was way better but it's sad.

[Mel1959]

Can he get around ok? An injured leg will definitely make him more susceptible to predators and might necessitate catching him and keeping him till he recovers.

[SquirrelFun123]

It was hard yesterday but he's fine today. I saw him jumping on a snow mount today and going back to his nest, I assume. Eating out a bird-feeder too

[danielusa0106]

This squirrel's skin and coat problems are very minor and can be treated quickly and easily. fall guys (https://fallguyss.co) contexto game (https://contextogame.co)