UTI

[richmond5020]

I read a previous forum on recognizing a UTI. I think my fox squirrel has one. He is 2-3 months old. looks like he is having difficultiy urinating. has dark urine, if not pink, strong odor. I have difficulty finding a vet in south east oklahoma that will see a fox squirrel. I have already checked with wildlife officers its ok to have him. I found your site looking for answer. someone posted he needs fluids, how do you suggest that and what kind.

[foxsquirrels]

:Welcome :Welcome Welcome to The Squirrel Board!:wave123 :wave123 Glad you found us!
How long have you had your squirrel and what are you feeding him? Can you post a picture of him so we can see if he is 2-3 month old and his general condition so we can help you better.

[richmond5020]

i got him september 28th, best I can tell by reading development stages he was about 5 wks old then. I am trying my best to insert picture of him. This one was about 3 wks ago.

[foxsquirrels]

What formula has he been on? Any other foods besides formula?

[richmond5020]

I have been feeding him sunflower seeds in shell no salt, mixed nuts in shell,(main diet) watermellon, apples, baby carrots, water, grapes, and occasionally strawberries (treats). I didnt know about a specific light source until today. I will get that. He doesnt have a cage. He has a corner with a large window that so far he does not leave unless Im there. will get the light. last night if gave him cranberry juice and carrots. He has a mineral wheel and deer antlers and today I gave him a hay hut for rabbits (not his main bed). His main bed is a travel bag like what people would carry around small dogs in. Poopoo is soft but solid balls. Eyes are still bright and shiney. I have an appointment with vet tomorrow, dont know if this person can help but they were willing to try. Hopefully work wont be too bad so I can get him there.

[richmond5020]

I fed him puppy formula. at 12 wks he stopped taking a bottle on his own.

[foxsquirrels]

Some foods will turn the urine a darker reddish brown color, so will acorns. Has he been eating alot of acorns lately?

[richmond5020]

havent tried acorns yet.

[skye]

Hi There:)
I am so sorry to hear you baby is not well. If I may say so first off No sunflower seeds and also make sure the cranberry juice is 100% and sugar free. Hope yes you can get your baby to vet tomorrow best wishes to you and Good Luck:)

[richmond5020]

One thing that did happen is when i got him he had a bad local infection because of being dirty. Momma died approx 3 days before he was found and flies attacked him. we cleaned up his back end and "hoohoo" from maggots with peroxide and triple "a" ointment. When he was younger his "hoohoo" was his passie despite me using a warm wet cloth to facilitate urination and pooping. I haven't noticed him having a problem before. (several cloths washing later). his behavior hasn't taken a noticeable change except walking different when trying to pee.

[foxsquirrels]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11323

I copied this link for you to take a look at. This is a recommended diet for pet squirrels. Rodent block is really important for pet squirrels as is full spectrum lighting. We can help you with most everything you will need to raise a healthy squirrel. Are you planning on keeping him as a pet or just till next spring for release? There are vets specializing in wildlife in NE Oklahoma. You can PM me and I can give you their names and phone numbers if you need additional vet care. I can also help you get him to a rehabber in OK if you are planning to release him.

[skye]

Believe me your in good hands here with Foxsquirrel she can help you:thumbsup When he does try to pee does it only come out in drops and his little tummy is pumping like he is forcing himself is his eyes half closed like in pain when he tries?

[foxsquirrels]

:thankyou :thumbsup :thumbsup Thanks Skye, we need help with this little fella! I've never had a male squirrel with a UTI. I thought maybe it was acorns.

[richmond5020]

I hope to keep him thats why i need to learn everything i can. I know he can have behavior issues normal for a squirrel and scratches and all I am prepared for that. I never knew squirrels could be such social animals. I am afraid I placed to much human attention in his raising.

[foxsquirrels]

I'm going to call it a night, please keep us posted on how your baby is doing. TSB has many wonderful and knowledgable members who can assist you. If I can help you please PM me and I can get you some phone numbers. What is your little fellas name? I have 3 little fox squirrels just about his age that will be released next spring. Have a good evening.

[richmond5020]

I havent noticed any thing different in his stomach but he hunches up and dribbles. not sure about eyes either. pevious peeing has been basically on the go, everywhere, on the run like nothing was going on

[foxsquirrels]

Aw, the poor little guy. I would get him some fresh cranberries tomorrow and start trying to get him to eat them. It also would help if he would drink some sugarfree cranberry juice from a syringe. Cranberries do wonders for the bladder.

[richmond5020]

my fear about going to the vet is he knows everything there is about cats and dogs but cant help Seamus. I have run into this problem before when i rehabbed possums and even my ferrets and pot belly pig.

[richmond5020]

top of my list is cranberries and rat cube. Light will be as soon as I can get to a pet store.

[richmond5020]

possoms by the way are not very excitable.

[foxsquirrels]

The full spectrum lights do not have to be purchased from a pet store. You can get the FSL bulbs at many stores, I bought my last one at Home Depot. If your vet doesn't know how to dose Baytril for a squirrel we have members who can help with that.

Where have you been Gamma????

[richmond5020]

what is the dosing of Baytril? tomorrow I dont know if I will have internet access at the time.

[richmond5020]

I will let u know how the vet visit goes. thank you very much. general searches on the internet doent reveal very much. I have learned as much today as I have in 2 months.

[richmond5020]

We went to vet. he never even picked seamus up. He is a very friendly squirrel. In fact he goes to work with me some times. Seamus was behaving his normal self using me for a tree and running circles. Vet said UTI sounded probable and that we may have corrected it all ready, gave me baytril pills 1/4 pill per day if bleeding comes back. As I was writing this seamus had a spell of blood from "hoohoo". I dont understand that he can have normal urine for a while then have blood. Sorry Grammy I wrote yours first. I have a question. Is a squirrel like a dog that they have a "hoohoo" inside the skin we see?

[skye]

:D I am so happy to hear you have a good vet and got meds for your little guy start him on his meds. Did vet say how many times a day to give him the meds? and for how long?
There are many good people here that can help you and glad to have you join us. Please keep us inform how he is doing and in time love to see pics of your little guy. Best of luck to you and him.:)

[foxsquirrels]

Hi, sounds like the vet visit went well. What mg. of Baytril did the vet give you?

[skye]

I was also thinking seems to me would have been easyer having the meds in liquid form.
You will have to crush the pill and I would say using cranberry juice with syringe to give him. Good luck and hope to hear from you soon.

[richmond5020]

Seamus is doing fine now. now he just has as few blood drops as he finishes peeing. He does not appear to be having any trouble as far as actually peeing goes (several shirts later). I do have to confess i had trouble getting to get him to take his meds. :D I finally had to cheat and i may get scolded from some of you. Seamus has ESP. He would not eat any thing i put the meds in. finally I had to break down and get a welches grape soda and put med in One cap full is all he would get. he got this one time before when he had a fit when i was drinking one i thought i would see if he liked it. :thankyou . I will defenitly stick around on this board.

[foxsquirrels]

That's great, whatever works to get the little stinker to take his meds.:D A capful of grape soda shouldn't hurt a thing. So glad you decided to stay around with us and thanks for updating us on Seamus.:thankyou Little squirrels take your heart and never give it back.:Love_Icon

[richmond5020]

Seamus is doing fine. Finished meds. Pee is clear to light yellow. Got the right lighting. Got the right food. I think we are on our way. Thank you so much for the help. :wahoo :thankyou

[4skwerlz]

I see no one answered your question. Yes, the squirrel's "Mr. Winky" is normally retracted completely inside the tiny sheath. I've seen it completely "out" only once, on a wild squirrel right after breeding (it was surprisingly large). Other than that, you will sometimes see just the tip come out, when they're being petted and are relaxed, or during peeing.

Hope this wasn't TMI. :D

[skye]

:wahoo Great News:thumbsup glad to hear your little guy is doing well. Hope to see pics soon of him:D Big hugs to the fur baby:grouphug