Wild squirrel coughing sneezing and vomiting?

[Squirrel Guardian]

Been watching/caring for our wild squirrels for a couple yrs now. Noticed yesterday that one is coughing vomiting and sneezing. We had a few young opossums come thru with the same symptoms so wondering if there is a concern for some illness going around? What can we do to help if so?

[Scooterzmom]

My concern would be some kind of poison... maybe you can check for that?

[Squirrel Guardian]

My concern would be some kind of poison... maybe you can check for that?

Did think about that when running thru the possibilities but that wouldn't account for the sneezing and coughing. The opossums did not have pale gums tremors or lethargy. Neither does the squirrel from what we can tell. Just lots of coughing sneezing and occasional retching while or after feeding. Very reminiscent of kennel cough.

[Scooterzmom]

Hmmm... I'm thinking, what about something that's been sprayed that would cause these symptoms? Some poisonous spray...? The other thing is that poisons also do not affect every species of animal in the same way, right? Whatever it is, it's weird ... poor things.

[CritterMom]

Did think about that when running thru the possibilities but that wouldn't account for the sneezing and coughing. The opossums did not have pale gums tremors or lethargy. Neither does the squirrel from what we can tell. Just lots of coughing sneezing and occasional retching while or after feeding. Very reminiscent of kennel cough.

Which they can absolutely get, BTW. Doxycycline is the answer but getting 2 doses a day into a wild squirrel??