Repost- particular new issue with my two male babies

[RuntBaby88]

I apologize for posting this initially in the same thread where i introduced myself and my two new squirrel babies. I realized this should have been kept seperate so I am reposting here. (let me know if there was a better way to have done this! sorry! new to the site ):thankyou

Copied below:


Hey everyone- Looking for some advice.. My two babies are about 8-9 weeks old.. just starting to eat some solids but i still offer the formula at least 5-6 times a day which is more than i was because now they only take the bottle 2-3 times a day and being a worried mom i want to make sure they have access to anything they need.... Anyway i noticed my bigger boy (monkey) had a slightly swollen and protruding genitalia. I got worried instantly and thought maybe he could be dehydrated.. but while they were sleeping last night i woke them up to try and feed again before i went to bed and the little one (runt baby) was actually sucking on his... umm yes.. You know where im going with this.. So i found the cause... What do i do?? Im wondering if it is because he is starting to wean and its a comfort to him like the nipple of the bottle top while he sleeps.. but i dont want him to cause irritation or worse infection on my other little boy!! I also dont want to have to seperate them but i may have to.. Please any help would be great! it just started and i want to stop this habit before it hurts monkey boy..hopefully without having to seperate them but i have to do whats best, maybe just until they are done weaning??

[JLM27]

This appears to be a common condition among young squirrels.

Usually the advice is to feed more and more often and in bad cases to put a cut off a baby sock around the little ones' middles. Some have even put one baby inside a pillow case and the other outside, but I think the sock ideas is most used.

This needs to be dealt with immediately because they can give each other infections. If he already has an infection, you will need to respond to that, and I will let the rehabbers get on here and help you.

Two questions: What are you feeding them, how much and how often?
AND can you get up some pics of the affected areas?

[RuntBaby88]

Right now i am feeding the esbilac because my FV is still on its way (in shipping). I try to feed them about 5-6 times a day, both eat different amounts.Both are about 8 weeks old from what i have learned..

Monkey (one with possible infection) is larger- not sure exact weight, and eats on average ~1mL per feeding(when he takes it- about 3 out of 6 times a day) (avg) AM and PM usually a little more..

Runt baby (smaller one- causing infection) eats much more and generally will take the formula about 4 times out of the 6 times i try a day. He usually eats anywhere from .75-1.5mL depending on his last feeding..

Its so hard for me to tell exact food intake because like i said they seem to be weaning (started about 3 days ago) I have them on the Harlan Tekland Rodent Block and raw veggies are always available..

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Is there anything i can add (yogurt??) to the esbilac until the FV gets here that will help?? Its all started since they seem to be weaning which is odd to me..

I will post pics as soon as i can! Look for then around 5 PM (EST)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!:thankyou

[RuntBaby88]

Pictures Below

[RuntBaby88]

I just tried to "Diaper" him.. tried a sock and then some gauze and medical tape.. no luck.. neither were able to stay on and remain comfortable for him..

I just had to separate them :'( :shakehead ... I know as soon as Monkey goes to sleep Runt Baby will curl up and go right to it.. i dont want to have to keep them separated i can tell it upsets them. What else can i try?? Does anyone think i need antibiotics??

[skippy]

Oh Boy,

My squirrels are on FV 3x a day now every 6 hours. I put in some rodent block, a deer antler, and an unshelled walnut for them to mouth. I put a water bottle in their cage too and this has helped.

I use a product called YUK that I purchase from Chris's Squirrel Store online.
7.00 a tube. Very, very bitter gel that you apply to the ears or genitals as a deterrent. Bitter Apple is readily available at pet stores but doesn't work.

His penis is definately being damaged and it's really important that it is protected. I've shared before about 2 males I knew of that both had to have multiple surgeries because the rescuer ignored the issue.

It appears very red at the opening. If he were in my care, I would be stimulating him to be sure his urethra is open and he is able to pee. They can get scabbed over and of course the urine will back up into his bladder and then you'll have even more problems to deal with. Use a moistened cotton ball or soft cotton like a baby receiving blanket, t-shirt with warm water. You can also apply neosporin anti-biotic cream or ointment. The cream is less messy to their fur. If the scab doesn't come off with the warm cloth soaking you'll need to try to massage it off while applying the neo-sporin.

Once they become elongated and deformed, they will most likely stay that way and will drag so it's not an issue about the comfort of having a nest mate vs. sucking. Sorry, it's hard but you can put a stuffed animal or a rice buddy in with each of them until you get a hold of the YUK. You can try the pet stores in your area, but don't wasted your money on the other products out there.

Good Luck.

[skippy]

The scab can be very small and stubborn to remove, but it will have to come off to open it up. Do make sure he is able to pee. You may have to very very gently hold your thumb above the top (base) of the penis at the point of attachent, on his belly, that's where his bladder is, to coax it to empty.

[sassysquirrel]

I have used the YUK with great success - it has always worked for me

[RuntBaby88]

Thanks Skippy- I did what you said warm cloth and antibiotic cream and got the scab off and he had clear urine. I have them separated and ordered the YUK from Chris's store last night. Cant wait for it to get here so i can use it, hopefully i have success as well so they can be back together. I appreciate all the help!! I just want to see them happy and healthy. :thankyou :D

[skippy]

:crazy
Happy to hear you got the scab off. That had me worried when I saw it. Glad he peed well. Keep us posted as he progresses. Oh, and with the YUK. Apply it with a q-tip and try not to touch it to anything other than the area you are trying to keep them off of and also your fingers. Seems like it hangs around on anything it touches. Wouldn't want it to get on their syringes or nipples and have them resisting their formula because of it.
:)

[CritterMom]

Don't apply it to his little peenie - instead, use a tiny watercolor brush and apply it AROUND the penis - I would dab a little vaseline on the penis itself to protect it while you do.

[skippy]

:goodpost
Don't apply it to his little peenie - instead, use a tiny watercolor brush and apply it AROUND the penis - I would dab a little vaseline on the penis itself to protect it while you do.

Thank you Critter Mom, forgot to mention to avoid the tender areas. Good idea.:)

[RuntBaby88]

Here is an updated picture i took this morning!!:wahoo Looks a lot better already! They still remain separated when they are in the cage and awaiting the YUK.

Thanks again for all your help!!! :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

[iwonka]

I'm glad he is OK.. :grouphug

I had this problem in the past and I used this to protect the "victim" :D
It comes in different sizes.

169458

169457

Recently I used this idea on my pinky boy.. to protect the leg injury.

169459

[RuntBaby88]

HELP!!!

Not sure if i should re post this message to a new thread but i figured id try here so people can read what has happened in the past couple days/week...

I separated Runt Baby and Monkey and Monkeys penis was looking great! I used the YUK for 3 days and it seemed to keep Runt baby away as long as i cleaned his penis and re applied 2-3 times a day.. most importantly before bed and in the morning.. All weekend i was paranoid mom because i re introduced the two and really didnt want the problem to persist... DAY 3 of being back together... TODAY... My mistake was i wasnt here at lunch to re apply during mid day like the past two days..

I woke up this morning washed Monkeys penis and re-applyed the gel after he ate and he was a sweetheart.... come home and HE WONT LET ME TOUCH HIM!! He is screaming and batting at me.. he will bite me if i try to do too much.. I was able to catch him and remove him from the cage to separate them again and then i applied antibiotic cream and tried to feed (but he wont eat) he keeps screaming in pain and his penis is now more swollen than the first time..

I am worried because he is being so aggressive that i cannot clean his penis properly and make sure i stimulate him to urinate..

I can keep them separated and do what i did before, but i dont want to risk the chance that he "just gets better" i was lucky last time...


IS ANYONE IN BUCKS/MONTGOMERY COUNTY AREA????? I am worried i need antibiotics and i am in the switch of a new job with no pay check to come to me in two more weeks.. I cannot afford a vet at this moment and dont want to put it off.. At work i am able to get baytril but not until tomorrow...

ANY ADVICE????? Please i feel so bad im crying not sure how to help my sweet monkey boy before i can get him anything else.. :shakehead

[skarabrae]

:grouphug

Waiting for the experts to see what their advice is (for future reference :D ) As long as the other little one didn't chew his peenie off, we're probably not at the panicking stage yet, so try to relax.

I wonder if someone has some advice for you as to how to better hold the little guy while you're treating him. Are you using gardening gloves or some kind of hand protection?

[RuntBaby88]

Just an update** got a good pair of construction gloves... released the pressure in Monkeys penis.. Pus and urine both passed... The pus was not yellow and was clear so that May be good?

As soon as i released the pus and urine he stopped crying/screaming and attacking me..


I am checking it every 15 minutes to re release any pus or urine pressure that seems to be swelling up his penis.. he seems to be happier every time i do this and the overall pressure is going down...

I still would like to know if there is a general antibiotic i could give such as baytril? I have Baytril at work in a liquid form and have access to people who administer to rodents on a daily basis.. I am also familiar with all routes of administration so this will not be an issue i just need to make sure i do whatever is best for him??

[CritterMom]

I would absolutely get some baytril. This can become a UTI easily.

Did the ICK do this or is he suckling on himself?

[Jackie in Tampa]

baytril injectable can and should be given orally..
it has many times made an ulcer at the injection site in sqs, not sure about other species..
the safe dose for baytril in sqs is 10mg/kg.
Probiotic should be used two hours before or aafter treatment.
Yes I would absolutely put him on baytril 5 days.:thumbsup
Keep them seperate...if you are seeing pus, he may need to be monitered well, bladder expressed etc..
make sure he is hydrated..
sounds like an oxymoron..
but he needs to stay hydrated..
:grouphug

[RuntBaby88]

Thank you Jackie!

If i get the Baytril tomorrow would i be able to PM you the concentration to make sure it is the correct concentration for the squirrels. I know we use it for cats/dogs but i dont remember anyone using for rats/mice in past so i want to make sure it is safe to give them.
I can do oral or sq..( i have done SQ dose on rats/mice/cats/dogs with no signs of any issues.. maybe if it goes into the dermis a small bleb will appear but not sure about an ulcer?)
if oral do i need to dilute with a vehicle? or straight?
Also is the 10mg/kg for both injectible and oral dose?

Sorry for so many questions!! Im so thankful for the help though!! Thankfully i work in a lab and can easily make this all up and get the proper dosing syringes or gavage needles all set up tomorrow.. Whatever info you can give me i will make sure to get it all tomorrow and then start him on the baytril immediately.. I also have a friend who can come by to help if needed..

Should i start him on pedialite? Could i mix it in his water bottle or do straight?

Critter Mom- His brother is the one sucking on his peenie... They are just about at nursing age when i noticed it start- now he is getting larger upper teeth which is why i think this got so bad so fast!

[Jackie in Tampa]

yes you can PM me anytime, I may not always know, but will try.:thumbsup
I can dose the baytril for oral use.

[RuntBaby88]

Jackie- I just found this site that says the same thing as you did for the Baytril dose if it is a 5% solution. I should be okay! i think thats what we have :)

Wanted to post it here it may be helpful to someone, but i wouldnt be the best judge of that..

http://www.irishwildlifematters.ie/animals/squirrel-drugs.html

:thankyou :D