Fly bots???

[Hotpoppies]

Ok. I know I can be a little paranoid and I watch too much squirrel content. I didn’t even know what a fly bot was until recently. A little back history…Pearl is our lovely inside outside baby fox squirrel. She’s roughly 6 month now. We live in Los Angeles where I hear these things aren’t common. Anyway. As Pearl has matured she’s spending more and more time in our backyard in her magnolia tree and the tress around the neighbors. She still comes inside to eat and sleep and cuddle when she’s exhausted of being a “squirrel” and wants some R and R. She’s healthy, clean, well fed, well watered, active and happy.
The other day during one of her inside visits she made a little yelp when we pet her back side. I could feel a little scab and figured she got into something. Today when she came inside I got a photo and now I’m paranoid it’s a fly bot. The skin is exposed around the wound and there’s another smaller wound next to it that she just wouldn’t let me take a picture of. She seems fine now letting me touch it…no yelping…she’s jumping around unfazed and is hungry and cuddly per usual. I was hoping you wizard experts could help diagnose by the photo and give advise on what to do???
Thanks in advance! I love this community!

[supersquirrelgirl]

is it swollen ?? Looks more like a bug bite or something. Around the center, look like fur is gone and skin is infected.

I'm in Norcal East Bay/TriValley. Could this be a snake bite ?? (small one )

[Hotpoppies]

is it swollen ?? Looks more like a bug bite or something. Around the center, look like fur is gone and skin is infected.

I'm in Norcal East Bay/TriValley. Could this be a snake bite ?? (small one )

Hey! Thank you! Gosh I can’t express how much this forum has helped me look after my little. It’s not swollen…it’s slightly raised in the way a wound would be. Like when the skin tries to heal itself and harder layers start to form. It’s curious that you said it may be a snakebite because I did mention and notice that there is a secondary little puncture that’s been healing over quite close to it.
We are in Los Angeles and I don’t really see many garden snakes around, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I suppose I could just monitor it and if it is a fly bot, it will become very hard to miss identify in about a week??? The good news is, she seems to not be bothered by it at all anymore, and she has all the same spunk and energy we’ve come to know and love her for. Do you think it’s OK to just wait and see? I do not have a vet in our area that is open to seeing squirrels. Or rather I haven’t had to do a deep dive looking for one yet. Thanks so much for your thoughts on this much appreciated.

[supersquirrelgirl]

First be VERY careful with Vets in CA as its quite illegal to have pet squirrel. All my squirrels are wild foxes in the backyard, no pets.

Being in the lower butt is suspicious of small garter snake (not-poisonous). If a rattle snake, the bite site would be very swollen.

Pick up some betadine (any brand) at local pharmacy, dilute 1/4 teaspoon betadine to 1/4 cup water, and dab gently on wound with cotton pad a few times a day. Don't wipe off, just let it seep in. (betadine is dark red or brown)

It does not look like a bot fly at this time.

Mr.SSG

[Hotpoppies]

Thank you both so so much! Poor little baby! Thats why I haven’t poked around for a vet…I know that squirrels aren’t legal pets here…but gosh…I really would love to and probably should poke around “asking for a friend” type of call??? In case god forbid sometime she does indeed really need better help than I can give her?? Anyhow…you all are like my vet!!!! I’ll get that betadine today!!!! I’m so glad that it’s not open or infected looking so I’ll get on that asap! Appreciate you!!!
I hope she gave that little snake what for for biting her! A little squirrel slap on the side of the head!!! Ha!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Ok. Post updates.

Regarding a squirrel friendly Vet, I know there is a mobile Vet in the LA area that other TSB members have used. I also know another TSB member who goes to a Vet center in west LA region so there are some options.

In NorCal San Jose, there is Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley (WCSV) that was going to help me with one of my yard squirrels.

Main point is to check beforehand, so they do not confiscate the squirrel from you.

Mr.SSG

[supersquirrelgirl]

Checking back to see how Ms. Pearl is doing ??

[Hotpoppies]

Checking back to see how Ms. Pearl is doing ??

Oh my gosh that’s so sweet! I love you guys. I had tech issues with my sign in IP but they fixed it so I’m back!

I ran out and got swabs of the iodine stuff figuring it would be easier to get it on her…1st try today! She didn’t love it. Ha! But she did it. She’s active and ran down from her magnolia this am when I called her and came inside for breakfast as usual. As she gets older we get less and less inside sleepovers which I miss but it’s pearls world and whatever makes her happy makes me happy…so I spend a lot more time outside next to her tree to get in the cuddles and hide and seek.

I found the second wound next to the first one…they seem to be healing ok??? But her hair loss around them is now concerning me. Is that normal??? Not sure if it was a garter snake or what but she definitely seems a lot more “on guard” lately and I’m sure it has something to do with whatever she tussled with??

I SO APPRECIATE your advice about the vets. I didn’t realize they would take her from me, I just thought maybe they would deny treatment. I’d be devastated. I’m going to look into that mobile vet as you mentioned. THANK YOU.

I attached a pic of both wounds and the hair loss. I hope she doesn’t get mange from that!!!
Will the iodine help prevent a further infection?

Thanks again so so very much. She’s the best part of my day and I just love her so.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hi There,

Caution - the P-I swabs are 10% strength which is not the same strength as a diluted betadine, so each swab is much too strong for squirrel. This might cause irritation on the squirrel skin. Since you already bought swabs, please dip into small glass of warm water for about 1 sec to dilute the swab. Keep close eye on the wound for any irritation. Over time the hair will grow back.

FYI, Betadine bottle is 10% same as swabs but when you dilute 1/4 tsp in 1/4 cup water, strength is less than 1%.

Picture is a little dark to see puncture sites. If you get another chance, take a better picture.

Now that I see the 2 infection sites, there are too far apart for a snake bite. In the earlier pictures it was hard to see 2 sites. But in this picture, its easy to see them both. Looks a little worse in latest picture.

Keep doing P-I swaps for few more days then post an update.

Mr.SSG

[Hotpoppies]

Hi There,

Caution - the P-I swabs are 10% strength which is not the same strength as a diluted betadine, so each swab is much too strong for squirrel. This might cause irritation on the squirrel skin. Since you already bought swabs, please dip into small glass of warm water for about 1 sec to dilute the swab. Keep close eye on the wound for any irritation. Over time the hair will grow back.

FYI, Betadine bottle is 10% same as swabs but when you dilute 1/4 tsp in 1/4 cup water, strength is less than 1%.

Picture is a little dark to see puncture sites. If you get another chance, take a better picture.

Now that I see the 2 infection sites, there are too far apart for a snake bite. In the earlier pictures it was hard to see 2 sites. But in this picture, its easy to see them both. Looks a little worse in latest picture.

Keep doing P-I swaps for few more days then post an update.

Mr.SSG

Oh my gosh! Ok! I’ll dilute! Thank you! Now I’m so worried again I’ll get a better pic tomorrow am when she comes down for breakfast. What on earth could it be??? I’ll share more photos tomorrow and then after a couple days of the diluted treatment.

[Hotpoppies]

Hi There,

Caution - the P-I swabs are 10% strength which is not the same strength as a diluted betadine, so each swab is much too strong for squirrel. This might cause irritation on the squirrel skin. Since you already bought swabs, please dip into small glass of warm water for about 1 sec to dilute the swab. Keep close eye on the wound for any irritation. Over time the hair will grow back.

FYI, Betadine bottle is 10% same as swabs but when you dilute 1/4 tsp in 1/4 cup water, strength is less than 1%.

Picture is a little dark to see puncture sites. If you get another chance, take a better picture.

Now that I see the 2 infection sites, there are too far apart for a snake bite. In the earlier pictures it was hard to see 2 sites. But in this picture, its easy to see them both. Looks a little worse in latest picture.

Keep doing P-I swaps for few more days then post an update.

Mr.SSG

I'm now wondering if it's a tiny dog bite There's a house with about 8 tiny dogs that run amok in the yard right under a bunch of sycamores that all the neighborhood squirrels love to play in. I will definitely post better clearer brighter pics tomorrow and after I swab with diluted solution.
thank you again so much! I'm posting the latests one and a pic of a small toy dog bite on a person...looks similar no?

[supersquirrelgirl]

Morning,

I guess anything is possible. Looks similar but really who knows. It does look like 2 punctures with redness.

What I notice is original picture only one site that was clearly visible and the later pictures show two sites. You mention early on that there was two sites but now its very easy to see them.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I'm now wondering if it's a tiny dog bite There's a house with about 8 tiny dogs that run amok in the yard right under a bunch of sycamores that all the neighborhood squirrels love to play in. I will definitely post better clearer brighter pics tomorrow and after I swab with diluted solution.
thank you again so much! I'm posting the latests one and a pic of a small toy dog bite on a person...looks similar no?

Hi Hotpoppies:
Would you please consider taking two new photos; one to show the "wounds" but to include the entire Squirrel and another similar to the new close-up but with a better resolution or if necessary, a bit farther away as the current close-up is pixilated from the start and I cannot effectively magnify it without losing all detail.
Thanks!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Hotpoppies]

Hi Hotpoppies:
Would you please consider taking two new photos; one to show the "wounds" but to include the entire Squirrel and another similar to the new close-up but with a better resolution or if necessary, a bit farther away as the current close-up is pixilated from the start and I cannot effectively magnify it without losing all detail.
Thanks!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

You guys!!! Thanks so much for all your love and care and attention to Pearl!!!
She’s making a FULL recovery! I do think it was in part due to the swabs and iodine you guys lead me to!! She didn’t come out to visit at all yesterday as it’s SO hot in LA right now… today is even hotter…a whopping 110 degrees…I’ve been filling her outside water bowl with ice and filtered water and leaving food but it’s just been too hot to spot her…until this afternoon!!! She was resting on the ladder we have by the tree waiting for me to come out…she promptly jumped on me and we came inside. She’s sooooo happy to be inside and I finally got to check her wounds! They are healing so well!!!’
The second one is practically gone and hair has regrown! The larger of the two is doing so well!! I’ve attached pics…and despite the heat she’s back to her old antics and also so much more relaxed!
Thank you guys so much for all the “pearls” of wisdom
!!!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Ms Pearl is a beautiful foxer! Yes, NorCal is very hot too especially today.

Glad to see one site is clearing up but the one remaining looks a little bigger and still red. Continue swabbing with you P-I (betadine) and remember to dip in water first to dilute down. If punctures were caused by a small dog bite, I'm hoping the infection is not deeper and needs antibiotics.

2nd opinion is needed here.

MrSSG

[Hotpoppies]

Ms Pearl is a beautiful foxer! Yes, NorCal is very hot too especially today.

Glad to see one site is clearing up but the one remaining looks a little bigger and still red. Continue swabbing with you P-I (betadine) and remember to dip in water first to dilute down. If punctures were caused by a small dog bite, I'm hoping the infection is not deeper and needs antibiotics.

2nd opinion is needed here.

MrSSG

I’ll keep up the swabs!!! Thank you so much for all your words!

[Hotpoppies]

Howdy! Wanted to let you know I kept up with the diluted swabs and Ms. Pearl has made a full recovery! She’s even growing hair back! You can’t even see the wound anymore!!! Thank you for all your “pearls” of wisdom and support!!!! She’s been out doing her thing for a couple days but today she graced me with an inside visit!!
You guys are the best resource

[Charley Chuckles]

[supersquirrelgirl]

Great News. I'm happy everything cleared up for Ms. Pearl.

Mr.SSG