Squirrel with fluid in abdomen

[Tori]

1 year old neutered male soft release still very tame. Has been released for over two months but was acting puny so I caught him. His abdomen is full of fluid. We took him to work today (the vet) and the fluid is bloody and shows up obviously on radiographs. Sent out bloodwork and fluid awaiting results. Any ideas?
Thanks Tori

[Loopy Squirrel]

Maybe the little guy fell and the blood pooled in his belly. Is there any blood in his urine? Is there any blood around his nose, mouth, or rectum? The only other thing I'd worry about w/ blood is rat poisoning. They can bleed out externally or internally. I hope he does o.k..

[Apple Corps]

Is vitamin K the antidote for most rat poisons?

The answer is yes - this is an excellent link including treatment with vitamin K http://www.marvistavet.com/html/rat_poison.html

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Oh..I am so sorry...If it does tun out to be rat poisen if it's caught early....he could be alright...?
My dog got a hold of some rat poisen once we did get to treat her early enough..and she is fine.
Poor baby...I hope your sweet squirrel is alright.:Love_Icon
Now I was just wondering why would he get neutered to be released?:dono :thinking
Rachel

[Mountain Mama]

Tori could he have fallen or have some other type of trauma? In humans, you can see internal bleeding that would sometimes show up in the abdominal fluid.

[Tori]

No history of trauma although the weird string on his tail occured around the same time. The bloodwork came backand his kidneys are in bad shape. His BUN is 110 the normal is 30 his Creatinine and Phosphorus were also elevated we are trying to get a urine sample tosee if he could have gotten into antifreeze although with the fluid in the abdomen we are also supscious of trauma or a ruptured bladder. He is eating, drinking and running around his cage (big macaw cage) I use this cage for soft release but am closing him in for now until we are figuring out what to do. I am giving him subq fluids and praying for him to improve....
Can't believe I never found this board before...
Tori
you can learn more about me at http://www.russntori.com

[Tori]

Now I was just wondering why would he get neutered to be released?

He was neutered so that hopefully he would remain somewhat tame and be a good pet but he wanted to be a wild squirrel so we let him...he is adapted very well but still quite tame and has never left. He will have a forever home so long as he wants one...I am spending alot of money to try to keep him helathy. He is one of 7 I rehabbed in the last year. Two of which had severe injuries from being hit by cars and had to have surgeries to be released but all are doing well even if they are kinda disabled thay are happy and free in my yard. so in our yard we have Stubby who had her tail amputated and her pelvic fracture repaired, Sneezy who fell from a tree and broke his jaw, and another called Broke leg whose front leg was fractured and had to be set....the others were all just normal ones and are doing good. And Stubby had a litter after her pelvic injuries so she is a success story.....:jump
Now id only Hammy can conquer this kidney problem...hopefully it is an infection or somethingand not permanent damage.:dono

[Mountain Mama]

I'm leaning towards trauma. If he fell and hurt his kidneys, you could see an elevated BUN and creatnine. Kidney damage may account for the elevated phosphorus, also, and certainly the blood in his abdominal fluid. His behavior is encouraging, though, eating and drinking and playing well.

Hopefully if it is trauma that has caused this, the damage is temporary and you will see the abnormal labs start to trend downwards. I hope you will keep us up to date on him.

[Tori]

Hammy has been getting subq fluids daily and is eating well. A urine sample yesterday shows he is able to concentrate his urine so his kidneys are working somewhat. I may do some repat bloodwork but will see as that will stress him out again and he is just settling back into his routine....

[Buddy'sMom]

I was hoping for an update today :) That sounds like very good news! :thumbsup An appetite means he is feeling better, which is a positive sign. :alright.gif

Does he still have fluid in his abdomen, or had the vet drained it?

Hope his recovery continues to go well!!

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Sammy in Canada]

Sammy and I will pray for Hammy, you are so kind helping all those Squirrels :thumbsup

[tatcat]

Hammy has been getting subq fluids daily and is eating well. A urine sample yesterday shows he is able to concentrate his urine so his kidneys are working somewhat. I may do some repat bloodwork but will see as that will stress him out again and he is just settling back into his routine....

:thumbsup good work tori...keep us posted..i am a first time squirrel caregiver and any info would help me....

[Tori]

Still doing well unable to give subq fluids any longer due to stress on Hammmy. Eating good and the fluid does not appear to have returned (we drained off about 8 cc) Will keep you posted...