Squirrel Pox in South Florida

[dmgstuff]

I have a squirrel in my backyard that comes by daily for food and has squirrel pox it still moves pretty well climbs trees and eats well but has lesions they are getting bad on its arms body tail and head. Left eye covered in lesions. I was hoping that there's a cure can anyone give me advice on how to treat this squirrel see picture attached.

[Rocky1]

I defer to the others on dosing and how to give it to the wilds.

You will ideally need acyclovir tablets to grind and mix in with food, and IMO, acyclovir eye drops for the affected eye. Until a more experienced member can respond, there is more info here, http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/f...5-Squirrel-Pox Since you are in Florida, maybe a vet would provide that? (I have heard stories about people having extra pills if they have suffered from cold sores or similar. Eye drops will be more difficult to get and may require a vet or doctor.)

Do note that squirrel pox is a virus and requires antiVIRAL drugs to treat, ideally acyclovir. (Antibiotics only kill bacteria and NOT viruses. Granted, that may help if there is an additional secondary infection, but it will not knock out the virus itself.)

[island rehabber]

Rocly1 is correct in that acyclovir can be very effective on squirrel pox, in its early stages. Unfortunately, that is not the case with your little guy.

To be bluntly honest, all you can do is support his immune system with good foods and lots of fresh clean water. If his own system cannot knock down the pox, there is really no hope and, if it gets truly severe, trapping him and offering him the final release (euthanasia) is truly the right thing to do. Pox is painful and slow.....no living thing should have to suffer long and die of it.

[dmgstuff]

UPDATE ON MY SICK SQUIRREL

Well I have been feeding the sick squirrel daily, as many monkey nuts as he is willing to eat... and he has been putting on weight and his lesions are getting better and appear to be drying up! You can notice on the left side of his face the lesions are much smaller as well as his front left ankle, compared to the original photos! His left eye is open as well before the lesions had it swollen shut... even though the eye does appear damaged it is better... He has much more energy and moves and climbs great! From what I read squirrel pox is a virus, I am wondering if keeping him fed... has given his body the strength to fight and live out the virus cycle? Time will tell but I am getting cautiously optimistic.

[HRT4SQRLS]

UPDATE ON MY SICK SQUIRREL

Well I have been feeding the sick squirrel daily, as many monkey nuts as he is willing to eat... and he has been putting on weight and his lesions are getting better and appear to be drying up! You can notice on the left side of his face the lesions are much smaller as well as his front left ankle, compared to the original photos! His left eye is open as well before the lesions had it swollen shut... even though the eye does appear damaged it is better... He has much more energy and moves and climbs great! From what I read squirrel pox is a virus, I am wondering if keeping him fed... has given his body the strength to fight and live out the virus cycle? Time will tell but I am getting cautiously optimistic.

It most certainly has!



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[stepnstone]

Awesome! Keep up the good work!
Very encouraging...

[Rocky1]

Great job OP!

Even though antivirals are much more effective if given early, I would still provide if possible in the right dosage, etc. You are probably already providing water too which is key.

Poor squirrel looks as spotty as the sidewalk he's on. But hopefully improving, and it looks that way!

There is a nutritious recipe on here somewhere for something called boo balls which contain coconut oil which would also be a nice treat if time permits.

[JLM27]

My little pox boy Binky seems to have benefited from acyclovir. He's almost lesion free now. Of course, without controls we can't prove it, but if your friend is coming by everyday, I think you should try it. Also, acyclovir is tasteless, and I found mixing it with some blue agave syrup and smearing it on a nut worked for my little guy.

[island rehabber]

My little pox boy Binky seems to have benefited from acyclovir. He's almost lesion free now.

Great job, Jill!! acyclovir does work if the pox has just started, and it works well!

[TubeDriver]

He looks to be improving! What a little fighter! Keep on providing food and fresh, clean water!

UPDATE ON MY SICK SQUIRREL

Well I have been feeding the sick squirrel daily, as many monkey nuts as he is willing to eat... and he has been putting on weight and his lesions are getting better and appear to be drying up! You can notice on the left side of his face the lesions are much smaller as well as his front left ankle, compared to the original photos! His left eye is open as well before the lesions had it swollen shut... even though the eye does appear damaged it is better... He has much more energy and moves and climbs great! From what I read squirrel pox is a virus, I am wondering if keeping him fed... has given his body the strength to fight and live out the virus cycle? Time will tell but I am getting cautiously optimistic.

[dmgstuff]

The first 3 photos in the first column are photos from a couple weeks ago. You can see the Squirrel Pox in advanced and irritated.

All the other photos in the second and third column are from a day or two ago.... you can see the lesions are not irritated and much smaller and they seem to be drying up! And all I have done is kept him well fed with monkey nuts which is his preference!

I am cautiously optimistic now, that he might survive and even beat the virus!

Time will tell!

[Rocky1]

You've done great work and it looks like he's improving! However, this situation is far from out of the woods.

If there is anything else you can do that will definitely help, do it. For instance, if you happen to find acyclovir of any kind, let us know asap. To make this a success, do everything you can to give him every last chance, all the water, all the food, etc. This is a tough nasty virus, able to make quick comebacks if the immune system is taxed in other ways.

Keep up the good work, OP! And excellent work so far!

[dmgstuff]

This is the latest photo update.... you can see the progress in the past 30 days, I think his progress is fantastic.... the only thing I have done for the squirrel is feed him as much as he was will to eat everyday....he will only eat monkey nuts! There is no denying he is getting better!