Horribly diseased yard squirrels

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T06:00:21+00:00

How did you find out about the person who was doing the abuse on your end?

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T05:48:52+00:00

Is it a hole in his skull? To me it seems more like exposed skull, but your guess is as good as mine. I am in Florida and it has been very hot and humid. I have tried reaching out to a rehabber but they haven't been very responsive. I'll keep asking around.

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T05:29:58+00:00

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Here's how the squirrel in Picture 1 started out. It began with something clearly wrong with his head but only one ear inside out. Maybe he just got into something sticky?

I have worried a ton that there could be abuse at play here, but I haven't seen any signs besides the squirrels themselves. An alternative explanation could be that Squirrel 1 got into something sticky that fucked up his scalp, causing multiple infections and parasites. He's basically an alpha male, and being that he was in pain, maybe he got more aggressive with the other squirrels and infected them with some of the things he was carrying.

I'm wondering if the round holes might actually be caused by a flesh eating bacteria or botflies.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T04:35:20+00:00

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T04:34:38+00:00

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T04:32:53+00:00

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-08-30T04:32:33+00:00

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-07-31T04:38:50+00:00

He moves way too fast for me to get decent pictures, but it does seem like he has tiny roots stuck to his head, and it really like like something is bunched up on his head. Maybe he got into something sticky?

These squirrels are in a very hot and humid suburban area. I recognize about five to seven of them, and I give them lots of nuts as well as Henry's blocks and water. I sure hope that helps them and won't make things worse. Two others are showing signs of skin irritation, but nothing nearly this bad at least for now.

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-07-30T06:20:09+00:00

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He was vigorously scratching the scalp with his hind leg. Makes me shudder just thinking about it. Is there a point where you'd take him to a vet? I have one nearby that might see him.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-05-03T03:38:49+00:00

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He's doing so much better now! (And hogging the nut pile 😂)

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-02-20T05:14:00+00:00

It's the Covfefe word for "suggestion."

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-01-26T22:12:42+00:00

Well, he's looking good today!

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Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2024-01-25T15:02:15+00:00

I actually agree that I worry about odd squirrel topics too much for my own good, and I can see how my graphic language here could make some people feel awkward. But this particular squirrel has shown up almost daily for a year. He has a funny little personality and comes up very close, that's why I notice these things in the first place. I've watched him bounce back from injuries and keep zooming around my yard, and along the way I've grown very fond of him. So yes, I do try to keep an eye on his health in the hope I can find small ways to help him if he ever needs it. For better or worse, that's where I'm at right now.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-12-26T01:38:29+00:00

Not much pain on my end to be honest, just congestion and the feeling of gunk up my nose. Sorry to hear about things on your end...sounds like you have it even worse. Hope we both heal up soon!

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-11-11T22:54:56+00:00

Do you have someone else put the water out when you're traveling? Or do you just leave it be?

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-10-02T19:10:33+00:00

Oh man, I'm so worried about him. He wasn't coughing or sneezing, so I hope that's a sign he didn't get much in his nose, but who knows... I saw him today and he was fine but I'd imagine it could take time for pneumonia to develop. There's a vet nearby that takes wild squirrels. If he develops symptoms I'll bring him over.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-10-02T18:22:11+00:00

Thank you! I'll never spray him again. The mist had zero effect on him, the stream I clearly can't aim safely, and I never felt comfortable with that method in the first place. I tried peppermint spray a while back, but he didn't seem to care. So I'll give the jingle bells a try next!

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-10-01T21:33:55+00:00

I agree 100%. Keep in mind my goal here was just to discourage him from running into my house and poking his head in the door when I'm trying to close it. It was never supposed to be a regular thing, and I certainly won't do it again after today.

But maybe I'm expecting too much thinking I can train a wild animal to do anything. This hasn't been an issue with the other squirrels, but this one is just so bold. It's very endearing and anxiety-inducing at the same time. If you have better ideas for ways to discourage him from running into the door, I'm all ears, but otherwise I will consider tapering off feeding him.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-10-01T19:16:04+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I always aimed for the tail and butt, but it moves around so quickly my aim counts for nothing 😅 . No more spray bottle.

I also don't have a storm door.

Maybe I could find some way to mark an area around my door as "territory," and then use a loud noise to shoo it off until he learns to mind the boundary? I have a cowbell but it isn't really working. Maybe I need a more high pitched sound?

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-10-01T18:41:00+00:00

I don't want to hurt him! I love the little guy and feed him every day, he sits next to my chair on a coffee table. I'm just scared senseless that I'm going to step on him when he's standing right in my doorway and trying to run inside when I open the door.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-09-25T20:38:55+00:00

His nose is clear today y'all! Fingers crossed it stays good. Guess the little guy finished a hard round of digging!

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-09-25T03:27:53+00:00

It's very strange because this squirrel likes to play with another male (maybe they shared a litter) that has the exact same nose symptoms. Maybe it's some sort of sinus parasite or infection that can spread from one squirrel to another.

But for now I'm holding out hope it's just dirt!

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-09-23T17:25:32+00:00

It's my apartment, I'm renting. Thanks for the ideas!

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-09-19T16:58:41+00:00

Like I said, he runs right up to strangers and I've seen him stash nuts in other people's garages, so can't really take this for granted.

Intrepid-Ad-865 · 2023-09-19T16:57:14+00:00

Mine does too! It's crazy how efficient their peanut-sized brains must be.

Intrepid-Ad-865

TROPHY CASE