Swollen cheek - wild squirrel

[DixiesMom]

Hello,
One of the squirrels we've been feeding showed up with a very swollen cheek this morning. Her name is Pumpkin. She usually comes every day, but before today, we did not see her for a few days.
Here's a picture of her. Her cheek is very swollen. If it gets worse by tomorrow, what should we do? Does she need antibiotics you think? If she's nursing (we don't know if she is, but I have a feeling she might be), would that be a problem?

[DarkLies212]

Does she seem to be having problems eating?

[DixiesMom]

Does she seem to be having problems eating?

When she came this morning and we saw how swollen her cheek was, we purposely did not give her things that are hard to chew. So, we gave her pecan pieces and avocado. She was able to eat that.

[lukaslolamaus]

Poor Pumpkin, I wonder what the cause of the swelling is.

[DarkLies212]

My first thought is maybe teeth problems like Dezzy the squirrel. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ighlight=dezzy


If necessary, are you able to trap her and keep her for several weeks until she recovers?

I haven't seen a nursing female, but have read that their nipples will be exposed and hairless, not surrounded by the normal white belly fur. Don't know if that helps you or not!

Are you able to follow her to see where her nest is?

[DixiesMom]

Poor Pumpkin, I wonder what the cause of the swelling is.

Me too, I wonder what is going on. An abcess perhaps?
Poor girl, I feel so sorry for her

[DixiesMom]

My first thought is maybe teeth problems like Dezzy the squirrel. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ighlight=dezzy


If necessary, are you able to trap her and keep her for several weeks until she recovers?

I haven't seen a nursing female, but have read that their nipples will be exposed and hairless, not surrounded by the normal white belly fur. Don't know if that helps you or not!

Are you able to follow her to see where her nest is?

We would trap her only if we felt we had no choice to do so. It is an option. I will assess the situation when I see her again tomorrow. If things take a turn for the worse, I will get ready to intervene. We have treated a male squirrel with a swollen eye earlier this spring and he was able to remain in the wild and he recovered completely. I am hoping to do the same with Pumpkin.

I was able to get in touch with a local rehabber and got confirmation that Amoxy is safe with young orphans, so it should be safe if she is nursing. We have a nest box in our tree, and I have seen her go in there. However, I am not sure if she lives in it or was just resting in it. There are no visible signs of nursing, as far as I can tell. But, better be safe than sorry, that is why I chose to assume she is nursing, just in case.