4.5 week old lethargic with urination problems

[PhinMax]

I got home last night around midnight and while attempting to stimulate for urination, I noticed his penis was engorged and had a hematoma at the tip (from the other one suckling, I presume). With slight pressure, I as able to get a substantial stream of urine to come out. He seemed fine. When I woke up this morning, he was on top of his blankets, not snuggling with the other. He is lethargic. I'm assuming his penis might be infected. The only antibiotics I have right now are 875 mg Amoxicillin.

1. Should I administer antibiotics? If so, how much?
2. Is there a specific way to help relieve him besides lightly squeezing the penis?

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[RockyPops]

Poor baby!

[redwuff]

First of all he must be separated from the other who is suckling him. Sometimes they do suckle themselves, but mostly it is from a cagemate. Use a warm compress on his penis to soften the tip, soak him in warm bath and stimulate him there, and or use an antibiotic ointment on the tip. Suckle injuries are very serious and if not separated, can get so bad that euthanasia is the only option. Try not to squeeze the penis.

[redwuff]

Besides antibiotic ointment, he does not need the amoxicillin.

[Nancy in New York]

Is that poop coming out of his anus white?
What formula are you feeding?

[PhinMax]

Is that poop coming out of his anus white?
What formula are you feeding?

It's a golden color. FV 20/50.

[PhinMax]

Thank you for the replies. I separated him and soaked him in warm water. Not sure if he urinated again. I'm going to get some antibiotic ointment now.

[Tmstrat]

Had the same issue with my little guy being suckled by his sister. Separation and a little neosporin once a day will make it better. My little guy was the same when his penis was inflamed, didn’t want to move much. 1 day of separation helped immensely. Now they each have their own cage and get to enjoy sleep time alone and play time together. Hope he feels better soon :)

[PhinMax]

Just got home to feed him again and he's very swollen again. I've put him in the warm water twice and keep applying the ointment. Is there something I'm missing?

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[PhinMax]

I held him in the warm water for almost five minutes while stimulating. It finally started to subside. I tried before for two minutes at a time. Obviously it takes longer.

[redwuff]

It takes time to heal. If nothing else works, you might have to very lightly stroke his penis. If there is any way to avoid this, try.

[PhinMax]

Ok. It's four days later. The problem has persisted. Approximately an hour after each feeding, his penis is swollen to about 3x its normal size. The only thing that's making him go is submerging his lower half in warm water and and gently rubbing him. I've been applying antibiotic ointment after every time I've helped him urinate. The scab at the tip has remained. Is there something else I can do?

P.S. He's eating normally and has no problems defecating.

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[redwuff]

I would put him on antibiotics. Do you have Clavamox or augmentin?

[stepnstone]

Ok. The scab at the tip has remained. Is there something else I can do?
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The scab has to be removed and kept off.

[PhinMax]

I would put him on antibiotics. Do you have Clavamox or augmentin?

I have Amoxicillin tablets. Is that feasible? Otherwise, we have a local vet that will prescribe for a squirrel.

[PhinMax]

The scab has to be removed and kept off.



I can do that. Should I just soak him good with warm water and gently scrape?

[PhinMax]

I was able to get the scab removed. It was more difficult than I expected and it was almost as if it was a clump of scar tissue connected to the scab. As you can see from the photo, the tip is no longer obstructed.

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[redwuff]

I had a baby just like yours that came in with a horribly enlarged penis. I think what happens is that the ureathal shaft inside the penis (this is my story) becomes ineffective and as the bladder leaks fluid into the ureathra, the urine fills the penis which is blocked and grows larger. My friend said that she has seen once or twice a baby that had to be euthanized because of it. I was determined that was not going to happen to my baby without a fight. It probably took 2-21/2 weeks for it to resolve but the penis would fill as urine increased. I did all the things you are doing. It just takes time. Keep it up and keep us informed on how it is going

You do need to separate your babies to keep any more injuries from occurring. Or to see if the injury is self inflicted.

I said antibiotics because the pus at the end of the shaft and the redness going up the shaft makes me nervous. I did not put my boy on anything crept antibacterial ointment. If anyone else thinks no, no antibiotics, please speak up.

I never pulled the scab off because I felt the injury went pretty far into the sheath. I felt it would injure it more and felt that as it healed the scab would fall off. But it must be softened to allow the urine to flow. That was my thought but I am not an expert

[redwuff]

I was able to get the scab removed. It was more difficult than I expected and it was almost as if it was a clump of scar tissue connected to the scab. As you can see from the photo, the tip is no longer obstructed.

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Wow, that looks so much better. Hope that works. Keep us posted cos we all are constantly learning.

[PhinMax]

Wow, that looks so much better. Hope that works. Keep us posted cos we all are constantly learning.

I certainly will. Thank you for everything.

[stepnstone]

I was able to get the scab removed. It was more difficult than I expected and it was almost as if it was a clump of scar tissue connected to the scab. As you can see from the photo,
the tip is no longer obstructed.

:clap:great