Squirrel Pox

Squirrel poxvirus, or squirrel fibroma is a viral disease which produces multiple tumors on the skin of gray and fox squirrels. It belongs to the pox group of viruses which produce rabbit fibromatosis, rabbit myxomatosis, hare fibromatosis and some deer fibromas.

Transmission:
Bites from insects such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, lice and mites

Incubation:
7-14 days

Symptoms:

• Lesions often appear on the skin. There may be a few lesions or they may cover the body.

• The lesions may be circular, red or abscessed.

• Lesions may also be present inside the animal as well.

• In severe cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia or discharge from the eyes and nose.

Animals should be kept separate from others to prevent transmission.

Possible Treatment:
Provide supportive care because there is no cure. The animal may require wound care, antibiotics for the treatment of secondary bacterial skin infections and rehydration fluids for dehydration.

Special Considerations:
This disease is not considered zoonotic, but gloves should be worn when handling any animal with pox lesions.
Clean the area that the animal is housed in with a viruscide. A bleach solution 1:30 is an effective disinfecting agent.