Male Fox Squirrel with difficult urinating

[jeepin48]

I have a 11 month old male fox squirrel that has had a tough life and is now having trouble urinating.

He was found with his 2 sisters on the ground with a lump on his neck. The family tried to rehabilitate them and did not treat for his injury so now he can only see out of his right eye and has a head tilt. His sisters suckled at his penis and it became very swollen and so his penis got worse even though they I had them separated. At this time all of them started showing signs of squirrel pox. I started them all on Acyclovir and he and 1 sister made it. I put the other one down because she had lesson on more that 80% of her. His penis got blocked by the squirrel pox scab and he started peeing under his skin. The Vet and I did multiple surgeries to try to free up his stream and finally had determined the blockage was at the tip of his sheath and the rupture was inside his sheath. During this time we notice he had pinkish chunks in is urine. They were the size of a grain of salt but seemed semi soft. We ended up suturing the tip of the sheath open and so his actual penis was just showing. After it healed his penis is slightly visible . He has never had a heavy stream of urine but now he is only dripping.

He eats Henrys Adult Squirrel blocks (1am, 1pm), carrots (2am, 2pm), apple or orange(1x1inch in am and pm), OX rodet blocks (am,pm) and occasionally, walnuts, almonds, cereal, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, strawberry, blueberries.

Now he seems to be straining to urinate and it takes him about 30-45 seconds in the morning. He is still very active otherwise. What steps should the vet and I take? Could this blockage be stones of some sort?

[Nancy in New York]

I have a 11 month old male fox squirrel that has had a tough life and is now having trouble urinating.

He was found with his 2 sisters on the ground with a lump on his neck. The family tried to rehabilitate them and did not treat for his injury so now he can only see out of his right eye and has a head tilt. His sisters suckled at his penis and it became very swollen and so his penis got worse even though they I had them separated. At this time all of them started showing signs of squirrel pox. I started them all on Acyclovir and he and 1 sister made it. I put the other one down because she had lesson on more that 80% of her. His penis got blocked by the squirrel pox scab and he started peeing under his skin. The Vet and I did multiple surgeries to try to free up his stream and finally had determined the blockage was at the tip of his sheath and the rupture was inside his sheath. During this time we notice he had pinkish chunks in is urine. They were the size of a grain of salt but seemed semi soft. We ended up suturing the tip of the sheath open and so his actual penis was just showing. After it healed his penis is slightly visible . He has never had a heavy stream of urine but now he is only dripping.

He eats Henrys Adult Squirrel blocks (1am, 1pm), carrots (2am, 2pm), apple or orange(1x1inch in am and pm), OX rodet blocks (am,pm) and occasionally, walnuts, almonds, cereal, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, strawberry, blueberries.

Now he seems to be straining to urinate and it takes him about 30-45 seconds in the morning. He is still very active otherwise. What steps should the vet and I take? Could this blockage be stones of some sort?

My suggestion is that since you have a vet that has worked extensively on him, and is willing to see squirrels, to call him.
Is he familiar with squirrels? Can you pm me his name so I can check to see if there have been complaints about him?
Did the vet ever determine what the pink chunks in his urine were?

[RobinTN]

I remember this guy... wow he has had it rough! Didn't your vet end up consulting with Dr E?

[jeepin48]

I remember this guy... wow he has had it rough! Didn't your vet end up consulting with Dr E?


Yes, Dr E is the best! I wanted to rule out anything basic first before I call her as she is "the big gun".

I was hoping that others might suggest a UTI or something that a antibiotic could fix. Because the tip of his actual penis is somewhat visible I didnt know if that would add another variable.
254751

[Nancy in New York]

Do you have SMZ-TMP?

[jeepin48]

Do you have SMZ-TMP?

No, but I can get some.

I am scheduled to bring him and a urine sample in to the vet on Saturday morning(3 more days). The vet wanted to check for crystals in the urine sample and do a ultrasound to see if anything shows up.

Do you think I should start him on a antibiotic before I have confirmed the real problem?

[Nancy in New York]

No, but I can get some.

I am scheduled to bring him and a urine sample in to the vet on Saturday morning(3 more days). The vet wanted to check for crystals in the urine sample and do a ultrasound to see if anything shows up.

Do you think I should start him on a antibiotic before I have confirmed the real problem?

I wouldn't start him on anything before the tests unless you ask the vet.
Since this is only an ultrasound, and the SMZ works slow, it probably would have
no effect, however, if he also did a urinalysis, I wouldn't risk it. Could you ask your vet first?

[jeepin48]

I wouldn't start him on anything before the tests unless you ask the vet.
Since this is only an ultrasound, and the SMZ works slow, it probably would have
no effect, however, if he also did a urinalysis, I wouldn't risk it. Could you ask your vet first?


I will ask the vet and see what she suggest. Squirrel boy seems to be behaving as usual so I will probably try to hold off until I have a full diagnosis.

[Nancy in New York]

I will ask the vet and see what she suggest. Squirrel boy seems to be behaving as usual so I will probably try to hold off until I have a full diagnosis.

Sounds good. Perhaps when you see the vet, you could ask for SMZ-TMP just to have on hand.

[jeepin48]

His conditions have not got any worse and I took the vet a urine sample. There were some crystals found but worse than that there was a lot of blood. Not so much that it was visible but the test showed positive for blood. We have decided to start him on SMZ-TMP. Hopefully if we get the blood out (infection) he will feel better and not seem to strain. We still are not sure how to adjust his diet to control the crystals...???? I am guessing that because his penis is exposed, he got a type of UTI. I may have to contact Dr E to see how we could possible fix that.

[Nancy in New York]

His conditions have not got any worse and I took the vet a urine sample. There were some crystals found but worse than that there was a lot of blood. Not so much that it was visible but the test showed positive for blood. We have decided to start him on SMZ-TMP. Hopefully if we get the blood out (infection) he will feel better and not seem to strain. We still are not sure how to adjust his diet to control the crystals...???? I am guessing that because his penis is exposed, he got a type of UTI. I may have to contact Dr E to see how we could possible fix that.

Can you tell us exactly everything that he eats.
Many times when crystals are found, it's due to eating foods high in oxalates.

[jeepin48]

I feed him twice a day, 7am and 5pm.

7am and 5pm
1 henrys adult squirrel block
2 baby carrots
1 of the following: 1/4" thick slice of sweet potato, apple slice about 1/10 apple, half cutie or halo tangerine, 1 strawberry.

Other rare treats include cereal, almonds, walnuts, granola, 1/4" slice of dried bread, blueberries.

Occasionally he will steal food from my plate but nothing of significance.

[Nancy in New York]

I feed him twice a day, 7am and 5pm.

7am and 5pm
1 henrys adult squirrel block
2 baby carrots
1 of the following: 1/4" thick slice of sweet potato, apple slice about 1/10 apple, half cutie or halo tangerine, 1 strawberry.

Other rare treats include cereal, almonds, walnuts, granola, 1/4" slice of dried bread, blueberries.

Occasionally he will steal food from my plate but nothing of significance.

Have you seen the Healthy Diet?
He really is lacking and getting too many fruits, and nuts.
These are suggested as treats, and ONLY if they are eating
an otherwise healthy diet....not meant to be the main source.
ALSO he will need 2-3 blocks per day, he's a little foxer correct?
Especially dealing with a squirrel that is compromised, the diet
is key to his overall health.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[Nancy in New York]

Here's another link that shows the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio.
Feed the foods that are as close to 2:1 ratio.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?15397-Food-Data-Chart-Update-Calcium-to-Phosphorus-Ratios

[jeepin48]

Thanks Nancy,
I thought I was close but that page was a good reminder. I guess I will substitute the fruits for veggies and slow down on the Group 3 veggies. He will eat almost anything so it should not be an issue. He is a Fox so I will probably give him 2 blocks in the morning and 1 at night.

[Nancy in New York]

Thanks Nancy,
I thought I was close but that page was a good reminder. I guess I will substitute the fruits for veggies and slow down on the Group 3 veggies. He will eat almost anything so it should not be an issue. He is a Fox so I will probably give him 2 blocks in the morning and 1 at night.
Sounds perfect.
Your little one is so precious, :Love_Icon I hope that you can get
to the route of his problem. :sadness