9 month old Squirrel with protruding penis

[LyndaB]

I've raised this guy since he was 3 weeks old. Cat bite to his thigh. Given antibiotics and he did great. I overwintered him in a large cage in my office.He is now 9 months old.
I did a soft release 2 months ago. He has a nest up in the eaves of our screen porch and comes in and out through a hole in the screen. I can't really handle him anymore, but he is tame and comes to me. He will bite. I've noticed for about a month, that his tiny pink penis protrudes and is visible all the time.I can see it when he sits up. At first I thought it was normal, but I haven't seen that to be the case with other male squirrels. Last night, he was sitting on the table out there eating a walnut and I could see a swelling off to the left side (in the white fur) on his stomach while he was sitting up.Not red or anything, just a swelling under the fur. I thought he had been walking stiff legged. I think this must be the cause. I hate to lose this little guy, he means so much to me. I fear the worst. His testicles are descended but it seemed like that took a long time compared to other squirrels. Any ideas? Thanks so much!

[CritterMom]

Well, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of it always protrudes - small enough that it may be just not visible in his belly fur. But it is in reality several inches long when erect. How much is showing?

[astra]

please, keep checking - someone experienced will be here soon.
Depending on the condition, you might have to trap him to treat him...

Edit: oh, CrM is here - you are in good hands

[pappy1264]

If it is light pink, and only sticking out a bit, that is normal. You want to watch for any redness on it.

[JLM27]

He should have a little swelling on his both sides of his penis and below, even protruding out the back, and those are his furstickles inside the patagium. If it is just an extra swelling to one side of his penis, it may be trouble, and he should be trapped and examined. Is he having trouble urinating?. Is anything red as opposed to pink? Can you get a pic? I suppose it is possible to get a bug bite there. Owwwee!

[LyndaB]

He should have a little swelling on his both sides of his penis and below, even protruding out the back, and those are his furstickles inside the patagium. If it is just an extra swelling to one side of his penis, it may be trouble, and he should be trapped and examined. Is he having trouble urinating?. Is anything red as opposed to pink? Can you get a pic?


Well, it's a relief that it is normal. Thank you! It's only sticking out a tiny bit and is light pink. No redness. The swelling off to the side is more toward the thigh. Maybe he just bumped it or something. No scabs or redness that I can see. I won't see him again until before dark when he comes into the screen porch to eat and drink. I think he built a drey of his own in a tree. It's been so hot and his nest in the eaves has fleece. He ate and ran out as it was getting dark last night and I lost him when he went way up in the trees. I think he's using the nest where he was born, but if we have a storm, he comes back. I can try to get a picture. It's just a little scary. My normally sweet squirrel attacked me severely the last time I tried. I know what happened. He was digging in a pot of dirt in the screen porch. I squatted down and sneaked closer to him, while his back was tuirned.I had the camera on my face (a large Canon pro model which covered my whole face) and he turned and saw me and lunged. Ripped my scalp and back and legs before I finally got him off me. He was afraid for his life. All he saw was a black square where my face should have been. As soon as he came to his senses, he ran up in his nest and hid. The next day, he got on my lap. I am still a little wary, but it was totally my fault. I've taken tons of pics of him, but he always saw me put the camera up to my face first and i was usually talking to him. I'll see if I can get a pic of the swelling with a longer lens.
He has his own gallery here if you're interested.
http://lyndablair.smugmug.com/Other/Little-Eddie-the-Squirrel/17366984_m3ZCCP#1319934928_vjGSLZf
Thank you all so much!

[JLM27]

He attacked you? Another sign of sexual maturity and hormones running around his system. Be careful you don't get any facial scars.

[spykitten01]

Glad you got some good, solid help here - That first pic of your guy hippo wrestling is just too cute! :D