Beza is an adorable three year old healthy, active, and pretty smart gray squirrel who lives in our oak tree in Massachusetts. She is nursing now, her third litter I think. A couple of weeks ago I noticed she developed a swelling (lump?) on the upper part of her neck that seemed to be getting larger and slowly moving to the left side.

I also noticed that she moved her nest to the other side of the street. It's kind of far but she has been coming to our feeder to eat and drink, sometimes twice a day, so she has been crossing the street at least twice a day. This can be dangerous.

Yesterday I was surprised to see that the lump is larger and moved under her neck. I was able to touch it briefly and it felt solid. Didn't see any open wound but can't tell for sure.

I called a rehabber and asked if I could mix a tiny hint of Solid Gold Seameal on a piece of avocado. I told her she was nursing. She said it wouldn't be a problem, actually it could help. Beza ate the whole piece and drank water. She was making a funny squeak sound while drinking though.

I should have asked the rehabber about dissolving Echnacea in the water, I've done it before when Beza's mom Lola and her uncle Mo had squirrel pox few years ago, but she had already left. Shall I mix Echinacea on her water? Would that be a good idea?

Last night I was reading about the bot fly on the 2007 Mr. Ear thread "Young squirrel has a lump on his neck". If this is the case she certainly will heal. Hope it is not a tumor or an abcess.

I haven't seen her today. If anybody has a suggestion to help Beza I really appreciate.

Thanks a lot SB and everybody. This site is a real treasure!

NOTE: SORRY, I'M HAVING PROBLEMS TO ATTACH FIVE PICTURES OF BEZA'S LUMP! I'M GETTING A QUESTION MARK AND A BROKEN ICON. CAN'T FIND OPTION TO DELETE THE ATTACHMENTS. I'M USING FIREFOX VERSION 27.01 AND A IMAC OS 10.8.5.
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