Bacterial Infections in Pet Squirrels

How to Recognize, Prevent, and Support Recovery at Home

Just like people, squirrels can occasionally suffer from bacterial infections—especially if their immune system is weakened due to stress, injury, or poor environment. As a loving squirrel adopter, it’s essential to recognize early signs and understand when veterinary help is necessary.

This guide will walk you through common infections, warning signs, and safe at-home practices to keep your squirrel healthy and comfortable. While basic first aid may be possible at home, always consult a licensed exotic animal vet for diagnosis and prescription medication.

Recognizing a Bacterial Infection

The classic signs of a bacterial infection include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth at the site
• Pain or tenderness
• Pus or foul odor from a wound
• Behavior changes like lethargy or loss of appetite

You may also notice:

• Head shaking or ear rubbing
• Reluctance to use a paw or limb
• Excessive licking or scratching
• Fur loss or scabs

When in doubt, call your vet. Catching an infection early can save your squirrel’s life.

7 Common Bacterial Infections in Squirrels

1. Abscesses

An abscess is a pocket of pus under the skin, often caused by a bite or injury. It may look like a soft swelling or lump.

What to do:

• Gently clean with warm saline solution
• Keep the area clean and dry
• Apply a vet-approved topical antibiotic
• Visit your vet for lancing, drainage, and oral antibiotics

❗Untreated abscesses can lead to systemic infection or death.

2. Staph Infections

Staphylococcal infections often cause crusty skin, pustules, or hair loss. These can look similar to mange.

What to do:

• Keep the environment clean and stress-free
• Avoid sharing bedding with other animals
• Seek veterinary care for proper diagnosis and treatment

🧍‍♀️ Zoonotic risk: Some strains can pass to humans through bites.

3. Pasteurella (Cat Bite Infections)

If your squirrel was in contact with a cat even without visible wounds it could have been infected.

Symptoms (within 12 hours):

• Redness, swelling, pain near the bite area
• Lethargy and spreading inflammation

What to do: Immediate vet care is essential. Cat bites are often fatal to squirrels without antibiotics.

4. Streptococcus

Similar to Pasteurella infections, often presenting with painful swelling, heat, and redness around a wound.

What to do: Prompt antibiotic treatment by a vet.

5. Leptospirosis

Spread through infected urine or bites, this zoonotic disease resembles the flu.

Symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Mucous membrane redness
• Fever
• Lethargy

Prevention: Keep your squirrel away from other wild or domestic animals. Ensure a clean, dry living space.

6. Plague (Rare but Serious)

Caused by Yersinia pestis, plague has been found in ground squirrels and rodents in certain regions.

Symptoms:

• Diarrhea, weight loss, or general malaise
• Fever-like signs in people and animals

🛡️ Prevent by avoiding exposure to wild rodent populations and using flea control for pets in areas where plague is reported.

7. Capnocytophaga (Dog Bite Infection)

If your dog retrieved a squirrel even gently it may have introduced bacteria through saliva.

Symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Red patches or swelling
• Abscesses near unknown wounds

💡 Tip: Dog or cat saliva contact is a veterinary emergency for squirrels. Even unseen bite wounds can become fatal quickly.

How to Support a Squirrel with a Suspected Infection

First Aid (Before Vet Visit)

• Gently flush visible wounds with saline solution
• Use Betadine (povidone iodine) as a non-stinging disinfectant
• Apply Neo-Poly-Dex ointment for wounds that may be licked (vet prescription)
• Avoid strong-smelling products or scented bedding

Antibiotic Use in Squirrels

Only use prescribed antibiotics. Common vet-prescribed options include:

• Baytril® (Enrofloxacin)
  Dosage: 0.1 ml per 100g body weight, twice a day (vet guidance required)
• SMZ (Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim)
  Used for general bacterial infections

Important:
Wait 2–3 hours after giving antibiotics before feeding acidophilus, yogurt, or probiotics to restore gut health.

Topical Treatment Cautions

• Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment is safe for young babies who cannot lick
• For older squirrels, use Neo-Poly-Dex or similar ophthalmic-grade ointments to avoid upsetting their gut flora
• YUK anti-lick gel can be used with wounds to discourage licking
• For complex skin infections, Animax (Panalog®) may be prescribed

When to Call the Vet

Seek professional care if your squirrel has:

• A wound that’s red, swollen, or oozing
• A visible lump or abscess
• Sudden lethargy, poor appetite, or pain
• Difficulty breathing or mouth-breathing
• History of exposure to pets or wild animals

Final Advice for Adoptive Squirrel Parents

Bacterial infections, though serious, are often treatable with prompt care. Your job as a squirrel parent is to watch for early signs, maintain a clean and low-stress environment, and seek vet help when needed.

Most importantly, never try to treat a serious infection with home remedies or unprescribed antibiotics. The wrong treatment can do more harm than good.

Quick Checklist: Bacterial Infection Prevention

✅ Keep housing clean and dry
✅ Avoid exposure to pets and wild animals
✅ Use flea and parasite control where needed
✅ Check for wounds or swelling during daily care
✅ Schedule regular vet checkups for exotic pets