Help Captain can't pee! [Archive]

Tori

10-12-2008, 08:52 PM

OK I have three squirrels that are about 9 weeks from one litter that came from a poster here...I also have a singlton who is quite a bit younger that has been in with those guys. Captain is fully furred and his eyes have been open about 10 days. He has been eating formula excellent and nibbling on rodent blocks. He has been off of supplemental heat for over a week. 3 days ago I noticed the others were nursing his penis so I seperated him from them and it looked a little infected so I started him on Baytril. Despite looking yucky he has been peeing fine. Today I had to be gone all day so I fed everyone before I left (they wer fine and he peed) and when I returned home Captain was cold, shivering and had a very swollen peni. Upon pressing it lots of urine came out and upon palpation his bladder was very full so I expressed it. The weird thing is when I express the bladder the penis seems to swell up with urine and then I had to express the penis. Is it possible his urethra is ruptured or something? I gave him pedialyte and placed him back on a heating pad on low he seemed to perk up after the pedialyte. Other than rehydration, baytril and emptying his bladder what else can I do?

digiandchipper

10-12-2008, 09:10 PM

Oh, gosh, I hope a rehabber sees your post soon..........sounds like poor little Captain is having a bad time :shakehead :Love_Icon

island rehabber

10-12-2008, 09:13 PM

tori I would continue the heat, baytril, and expressing his baldder until you see him pee normally. Did you already apply a warm, wet compress to the tip of his penis to make sure there was no scabbing, causing blockage? Especially if you suspected infection, anything oozing will scab over and block him up. Poor littles!!

Peaches

10-12-2008, 10:38 PM

I've had this happen a few times. Dont panic. Use warmed neosporine or bacitracin ointment (plain vaseline or baby oil if you dont have any) and lightly rub it into his penis, paying special attention to the tip and adding more ointment every few minutes as it wears out. After about 10 minutes of rubbing the ointment in see if you can gently pick any thin coating of scabbing off the tip. Its usually clear and starts to lift at the edges from the ointment. If you get any edge do not pull, it will bleed. Gently work it off using the ointment.
He has to be seperated from the others until he clear up.

Tori

10-12-2008, 10:43 PM

The weird thing is that I have been doing exactly as you describe and their is no scabbing present. It is red and swollen but you can see the little pee hole (sorry don't know what else to call it). But the urine just fills up the sheath until the whole thing is full then when I gently squeeze it it comes out the whole. It is like it is not connected right at the end.
He is better after pedialyte and warming and ate really well. Was acting more like himself and chirring alot (he talks alot) again the peni was full so I emptied it and he went back to sleep.

Peaches

10-12-2008, 10:46 PM

Continue to rub antibiotic ointment into his penis 4 times a day for at least 3 days to asure he does not block up again. The penis is very vascular and will absorb the antibiotic right in where its needed.

Peaches

10-12-2008, 10:49 PM

Yes the ones I had also filled up at the penis and had to be double expressed. There is an infection inside the sheath and the tip is swollen. He will be fine but make sure you express him until he can do it on his own. This usually clears up within 24 hours with bacitracin use.

foxsquirrels

10-12-2008, 10:51 PM

Tori, I don't know if IR is on or not to help you further. His urethra(very tiny passageway from bladder to the end of penis) tissue could be swollen and that is why the urine is being retained. The warm compresses and Baytril should help with that soon. The Neosporin is a good idea too.

Peaches

10-12-2008, 10:57 PM

I had a self sucker once that I had to dress in a baby sock with holes cut out for the head and legs just to keep him from sucking it.
Usually there is a very thin clear coating of dried serus fluid partially blocking the tip. Its almost impossible to see until it starts to peel. When you express the tip do you get a straight stream or is it more of a side dribble?
Could just be the inside tip of the sheath is swollen and the antibiotic ointment will clear that up.

island rehabber

10-12-2008, 11:07 PM

Had to go feed squirrels but I see you are in very good hands here, tori. :thumbsup Please keep us updated on the Captain.

LynninIN

10-13-2008, 08:05 AM

Sounds like urethritis....an inflammation of the uretha. It can be caused by bacteria or post trauma.
Candidiasis (yeast) could also cause urethritis, especially after antibiotics.

Tori

10-13-2008, 07:53 PM

So this morning he could not pee at all and we could not express his bladder. We gave him some gas anesthesia and emptied it with a needle and syringe (cystocentesis) and then we passed a teeny catheter and emptied it again. The urethra is intact but so swollen he cannot pee. We gave him another dose of dexamethasone and will keep him on the batril and do as was advised above and massage triple antibiotic into it every two hours and express his bladder now that we opened it up. He feels much and is running around again.
Will keep you posted

foxsquirrels

10-13-2008, 08:34 PM

Tori, I am so glad you were able to help him. I'm sure he feels better now. Hopefully the Dex will help with the swelling. So glad to hear he is able to run around again. Let us know how he does.

Peaches

10-13-2008, 09:41 PM

Wow Tori I've never seen one get that bad. Glad you were able to do a cysto and pass a catheter. Poor little guy. Did he have a mucus plug in there or is he just that swollen? Good thing his mommy is a smart woman or he would have been in very big trouble. :thumbsup Feel better Captain :Love_Icon

Tori

10-13-2008, 10:29 PM

Not really a plug or scab it was just that swollen...very inflamed and it had been improving then went backwards...He just ate and was expressed and seems to be doing well now....will keep you posted.
Tori

skye

10-13-2008, 11:43 PM

Oh the poor little darling. Glad he has good mommy take care of him. Sending best wishes your way and sure hope he is better soon. God Bless you for taking good care of this little guy.:grouphug

Tori

10-14-2008, 10:39 PM

Captain peed on his own today!

foxsquirrels

10-14-2008, 10:43 PM

:multi :multi :multi :multi :multi :alright.gif :alright.gif :alright.gif :wahoo :wahoo :wahoo :jump :jump

THAT IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!
Thanks for letting us know!

Jackie in Tampa

10-14-2008, 11:26 PM

:thumbsup

skye

10-14-2008, 11:57 PM

:alright.gif I am so happy to hear he is doing better today. Great news:thumbsup

Peaches

10-15-2008, 02:16 AM

Great news Tori. :wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

Gaea

10-15-2008, 07:18 AM

I'm sooooo glad to read the Captain has a GREAT MOM.
I read these at work, & it makes me cry (not good).
My prayers are with you & Captain.
Great job, keep up the wonderful work.:poke
Gaea mom of Little Dude

Tori

10-19-2008, 02:03 PM

UPDATE! Captain still cannot urinate normally, about one time out of 5 his bladder will be empty the rest of the time his penis is swollen and fullof urine as is his bladder and I have to express both. It seems very uncomforatble. There are absolutely nor sorres or anything now at the end of his penis and I am applying oitment 4 times daily but it seems like the hole is now too small? Is it possible he has some sort of permanent damage? I hate to have to express him all the time but obviously do not want him ill from the urine baking up....ideas?

foxsquirrels

10-19-2008, 02:46 PM

Tori, I have not used this product but it might be something to consider. I know local pet stores also have products that will do the same thing. I had a product like it once to keep a cat from licking and tearing at their stitches. I would still use neosporin on the opening to keep it from crusting over. Chris's squirrel store sells this products. I hope this helps.

Yuk Anti-Lick Gel
Availability: ships immediately
Price: $5.95

Better and badder than ever, Yuk-2e’s wildly successful formula has been embellished with two additional bitterants to make it the most potent taste deterrent yet.

Developed by veterinarians, Yuk-2e is a non-toxic but terrible-tasting gel contains the highest level of the most bitter substance known to the medical community. Yuk-2e can be applied to areas around wounds or lesions to help prevent further injury by the animal. It is also used to prevent worrying and tearing of bandages, casts, catheters, prevent chronic licking, puppy proofing, and furniture protection.

Peaches

10-19-2008, 03:17 PM

Is he nursing on himself? I remember you saying it was the other babies that were nursing on him. It is possible that he has some scar tissue constricting the hole from the previous infection or even from having to pass the urinary cath. Or he might possibly have a yeast infection inside the sheath. I think I recall you were using baytril, switch to SMZ/TMP as sulfa based drugs work better on yeast infections. Also try using a cortisone cream to rub into the tip (only twice a day with cortisone cream). At this point you are pushing the limits on the baytril and Dex use for a baby and you dont want to cause any new problems. Can you save some of the urine for a urine dip stick and check for trace blood or signs of infection? If the urine is clean then the problem is probably irritation/inflammation or scar tissue constriction. But lets start with easy and work our way up because fixing a constriction is a major event that will require (at the least) inserting a larger bore cath and leaving it in place for a few days till everything heals around it.

Tori

10-19-2008, 03:45 PM

The urine shows no signs of infection we did that, he is not nursing himself and he is sperate from the other babies. I disc Baytril and Dex for the exact reasons you mentioned I do have some SMZ suspension here but cannot recall the strenght and dummy me did not write it on the bottle. I am concerned about the scarring and that we are going to have to do some sort of surgery or something :dono

Peaches

10-19-2008, 04:15 PM

How old was captain again? Do you know his weight? I forget how to dose it myself since I havent used it for sometime. I have 1/2cc to 3/4 written on my bottle but I think that was for an adult male. The bottle insert is of no use since the dosing for humans is pretty broad (has adult dose or child dose) no weights. We can ask someone else though.
This is the worst case of swollen winky I have ever heard, they usually clear right up. The SMZ/TMP is great for yeast infections so lets get the dose and keep our fingers crossed that this is what he has. Having to insert a urinary cath for a few days will not only leave him open to bladder infections but might prove inpossible on a squirrel. I assume you used the teflon from a IV cath as a urinary cath. Do you know what gauge was used? Did it go in easily or did you have to poke around a bit to get it inserted?

Tori

10-19-2008, 05:31 PM

He is teeny only 8 weeks used teeny cath smaller than 3 french could not leave it in since it was not flexible

squirrelsrule&bunniestoo

10-19-2008, 05:57 PM

I have tried using the yuk gel on them, and it doesn't work too well. They don't seem to mind the taste at all. I have used some stuff called THUM for thumb suckers that worked very well. You can get it at Walgreens or another drugstore I think.

digiandchipper

10-19-2008, 08:48 PM

I'm so sorry for little Captain and his troubles. I hope the SMZ/TMP will help him....thank goodness he is with you!

Tori

10-19-2008, 08:49 PM

Just got back from the nice emergency vets (one I do NOT work for) who allowed me to sedate him with isoflourane and pass another urinary catheter! There is a very small stricture at the urethral opening which is not allowing him to urinate and causing the backup. We tried to break it down and emptyed his bladder completely again and gave some dex since we caused a little trauma passing the catheter. I fear he s going to have to have surgery tommorrow. We would hae left the catheter in him but were unable to dvise a way to fasten it in and din't wish to keep him out for more than a minute or to.
Why does this bizarre stuff always happen to me.
Good news is he is bright and alert and eating good.
YAY VETERINARY HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATES IN WINTERHAVEN FLORIDA FOR ALLOWING ME TO USE THEIR STUFF AFTER HOURS AND AT NO CHARGE!

digiandchipper

10-19-2008, 09:26 PM

YAY VETERINARY HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATES IN WINTERHAVEN FLORIDA FOR ALLOWING ME TO USE THEIR STUFF AFTER HOURS AND AT NO CHARGE!

......... HOW AWESOME OF THEM:Love_Icon !!!!!!! Will be praying for Captain's recovery!!!!

Peaches

10-19-2008, 10:44 PM

Aww poor little Captain, its sounding like your going to have some real problems with this one. Hopefully you got it cleared and it doesnt reclose as it heals. It's awesome that you have use of the hospitals though, that makes matters a bit better. If you can just get him through this he will probably outgrow the problem as he ages.

Buddy'sMom

10-20-2008, 08:18 AM

:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

Sending good healing vibes down to Captain! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Tori

10-20-2008, 10:40 PM

Just had to catheterize him again. Thankfully we could do it without sedation....poor guy. I am going to talk with the vet at work tommorrow about possibly surgically opening the urethra wider so he can pee on his own. I am really concerned about long term detrimental effects from this....
He is eating and growing however and happy as ever even though he doesn't appreciate our efforts to help him pee!

Buddy'sMom

10-20-2008, 10:56 PM

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

Peaches

10-21-2008, 05:53 PM

This is not good Tori, the more you have to catheterize him the more inflamed he will become. The problem with doing any kind of surgery is that without a catheter in place for the duration of the healing it will only heal back down to where it is now or possibly even smaller. I really think you have to find a way to keep the catheter in place for a few days until it heals and the inflamation is gone.
At this rate your going to end up having to do a P/U surgery on him and I have my doubts about how well a squirrel would handle that. I'm not even sure if the ureatha is large enough to split and suture down. There's also the problem of keeping him from chewing out the sutures. Is your vet experienced with wildlife and this sort of surgery?

Tori

10-21-2008, 09:36 PM

I know I am stressed beyond belief about this whole thing. We were unable to place a catheter today to sew it in which was the plan. He is scheduled for a urethostomy at 7:30 in the morning which is not as aggressive as the p/u and will hopefully save bladder function and still leave him as releasable. My vet is very experienced and does a great job but did not have her teeny surgical kit at work today to do the surgery. He is still happy and eating and playing and I can express his bladder one drop at a time. I think this is the right decision since he is still happy and healthy otherwise and not stressed at all. (squirrels can be amazing sometimes). We are going to make the opening where it cannot heal back onto itself and that way we do not need to leave a catheter in place since he will not tolerate it I am sure.
Keep your fingers crossed.....

JLM27

10-21-2008, 09:39 PM

Poor little guy! Best wishes! I will keep him in my prayers. May the white light surround him.

Tori

10-21-2008, 10:18 PM

My mom who lives out of state has like two dozen people praying for him. And 4 of the 6 vets at my office are coming in the morning to see Dr. Jackson do his surgery....I'll be praying for him..he just ate a whopping 16cc of formula and one rodent block and went to bed after I emptied his bladder....obviuosly his appetite is not affected.

foxsquirrels

10-21-2008, 10:47 PM

Captain will be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck little man!!!:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

Buddy'sMom

10-21-2008, 11:04 PM

All the best for Captain's surgery and recovery. :thumbsup :thumbsup

And :bowdown :bowdown for you and Dr. Jackson and all who are caring for him.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

island rehabber

10-21-2008, 11:07 PM

Many many prayers and good energies flowing from here to the Captain until he's better again. :grouphug

Peaches

10-22-2008, 12:06 AM

I just got your PM Tori but its almost midnight now. I'm on the same page as you with this so I guess I really don't have any additonal advice.
He can't continue like this and from the sound of it this has to be done and you have a great vet to do it. I'll be praying for little Captain and you (you must be a wreck)
:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

digiandchipper

10-22-2008, 05:29 AM

Thinking of and praying for little Captain today. Let us know when you get a chance, how he is doing. I am so glad he has you and such an experienced vet.:Love_Icon

jme2323

10-22-2008, 09:14 PM

yay for poor captain and his swollen little wiener. i am so glad you have the extra capacity to help him- he would have indeed been in trouble if not!!

great job, and keep us posted as he improves!!!
:thumbsup

Tori

10-22-2008, 09:33 PM

:jump
Surgery went well and Captain is leaking urine out of his new pee hole! He had a large piece of scar tissue on the end of his penis which was removed and then Dr. J did a modified urethotomy and opened the hole bigger and sutured the urethra open. So far appears to have worked and he is bright and happy and eating and playing! He cannot fully empty his bladder yet but it is emptying as it fills hopefully he will regain some bladder tone in hte next few days otherwise we could add some Bethanechol to help the bladder regain tone. Will keep you posted....took pictures will port them tommorrow or Friday

Buddy'sMom

10-22-2008, 09:44 PM

:thumbsup Yay! PEE! :wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

Been checking this thread all day for news -- thank you for letting us know the surgery went well and

CAPTAIN IS PEEING!!! :wahoo :wahoo

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

foxsquirrels

10-22-2008, 09:45 PM

Tori, this is great news, I've wondered about Captain several times today! So glad you let us know how he is doing. Hope all goes well!:grouphug :grouphug

JLM27

10-22-2008, 09:51 PM

Yay! :jump I'm so relieved that Captain got through his surgery ok. I was so worried for him! Get well soon, Captain!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

island rehabber

10-22-2008, 10:04 PM

:thumbsupGreat news, Tori! In nautical terms, the Captain is back at the helm and able to use the head.....:D

atlantasquirrelgirl

10-22-2008, 10:11 PM

Praying for a full recovery.

Peaches

10-22-2008, 11:03 PM

YIPPIE FOR CAPTAIN :multi :crazy :multi :wahoo
I've been checking the board every hour at work today for a good word.
Way to go Tori :thumbsup

Caution: don't use Bethanechol, it has caused some very nasty reactions such as foaming at the mouth, vomiting, dehydration and even death. Maybe try shooting a little Warpoles solution into the bladder instead However I've never used this on a squirrel, dont know about possible reactions.