Releases fighting- some significant wounds

[Curtlawyer]

My first release, Rocky, gets in fights with my 2nd releases, Axl and Angus, and this has resulted in some significant wounds on Rocky. I dont see a lot of redness around his wounds, and it has been healing, but he came on the porch for a walnut and I could see better that he has "lumps" around the wounds. Anyone have an idea what this could be or what might be done, if necessary, to help it heal? I cant handle him without steel gloves, but he still takes walnuts out of my fingers and comes to me when I call. I hate seeing them hurt, so I have duplicated the feeding locations to opposite sides of our house.

[Curtlawyer]

[Mel1959]

Those look like they could be bot fly bumps. I hope some more experienced eyes will look and be able to say what they are. Poor guy.

[Baxied]

I believe that these are bot flies as well, and they should resolve on their own after the bot flies decide to emerge. Just keep an eye out for infection.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Curt, Mel & Baxied are right. I am 100% certain that those are bot fly warbles. They are not wounds. I have dealt with them yearly in my area. They are horrid but it's a disgusting fact of life for squirrels.

Leave them alone. They will leave on their own. The holes will close rapidly when the larvae exits. The black that you see is the actual larvae. If there are more than 6 warbles many rehabbers will capture the squirrel and pull them out. I have done it several times. One of my beloved releases had 24 warbles two years ago. She had to be brought in. I pulled some but it was WAY more than I could handle myself. The vet removed 19.

[Curtlawyer]

I am SO relieved to hear this. I thought the babies were ripping the flesh from each other. Whew!