PLEASE HELP ASAP - BABY EASTERN GREY - PENIS INFECTION?

[benjaminjames11]

Was given 2 orphaned squirrels yesterday from a friend of a friend. Tried to reunite with mother - then given to us. We have cared for babies this small quite a few times before - but I have never had to deal with this.

From what I have read - this is likely due to the brother sucking/nursing on this brothers penis. I have cleaned it up quite a bit in the last 24 hours. Soaking the injured baby in warm soapy water with a drop of Doterra tea tree oil .. and then applying neosporin to the area. Im also trying to make sure his urethra doesn't scab over. Both babies are pooping find .. and the healthy one is peeing regularly .. but in 24 hours I have not seen the injured one pee yet .. even with stimulation. Im worried of kidney infection. The penis area seems pretty full/hard .. but doesn't seem too painful to the little guy. I considered giving him about a 5-10 mg dose of cephelaxin (since I already have some on hand) but honestly don't know if his little body is ready for that. Any thoughts or advice?

I am alternating feedings ever 3 hours between formula and pedialite .. they are eating both just fine and starting to get rehydrated finally. Im just really worried about the one not peeing. For all I know he is on his own when he is laying in his box, but I doubt it.

We have a volunteer wildlife hospital here .. and in rare emergency situations I have taken animals there before - but honestly it is volunteer based, understaffed, and overused. All the animals I have taken to them have died so I think I might be his best chance .. if anyone can help please let me know. I attached a picture of both the healthy and injured babies for reference. Thanks so much!!

[TubeDriver]

That poor baby needs help ASAP. I am going to move this over to the Emergency Life Threatening forum so rehabbers will respond faster.

I would hold off add meds yet until you hear from some rehabber here. Probably a nice warm water soak with some GENTLE tummy message may help to open him up and release any backed up urine/poop.

[UDoWhat]

I can’t tell from the picture exactly but this baby’s penis may be necrotic. If it his he will need a Vet and possibly surgery ASAP. He in pain. If not necrotic, it looks scabbed over. You must soak his penis until the scab is soft enough to be removed but he needs meds to dull the pain. It looks as if the penis and bladder need to be relieved of urine. This is all very tricky and should be done by Vet if at all possible. Also his penis will be very tender and urine will sting and burn him almost unbearably. Coat it with Vaseline or Vitamin A and D ointment. I really think a Vet should do this to minimize his pain. It will need to be kept open. If he is in with any other baby squirrels, please remove him immediately. It looks as though he’s been a nursed on

[HRT4SQRLS]

:eek Very life threatening. If the urine can’t void through the urethra there is the possibility that it will exit under the skin of the abdomen. This is very painful as the urine scalds the tissues. I know of a case where that happened. It took surgery to correct. I would do everything possible to get the scab off. A vet is definitely needed.

[benjaminjames11]

Thanks everyone! After reading a couple of the comments - I determined it was probably something outside of my ability to personally handle (without previous experience) .. so I took him into the wildlife hospital. They seemed confident they could handle him. Thanks again for the advice - hoping he makes it! Felt horrible for the little dude! All the best and thanks again!

[Javarat]

My admiration for making a decision that is best for the baby, even though it certainly hurt.

[TubeDriver]

Thanks for helping him and getting extra help when needed! I hope he makes it to the trees some day!:grouphug