UTI suspected. Need treatment help.

[Squirrelman]

Hello. I have a female eastern grey squirrel named Nutella. She’s about 15 months old and completely healthy other than a uti? For the last past week she’s reduced eating and drinking. Also her urination habits have changed. She seems to be having a hard time with only a few drips here and there. Her vulva is swollen and originally I thought she might be in heat but now I’m worried since she’s not as active as usual. Her diet is mostly blocks veggies and fruits with a few nuts. I look forward to any help. Thanks

[Spanky]

Do you have any antibiotics on hand? If yes, please list the name(s) and strength and someone will advise if they will be effective in treating an UTI. You'll need to post Nutella's weight for dosing.

[Squirrelman]

Do you have any antibiotics on hand? If yes, please list the name(s) and strength and someone will advise if they will be effective in treating an UTI. You'll need to post Nutella's weight for dosing.

I don’t already have antibiotics on hand but I should be able to get some. Just not sure what I’m looking for without recommendation. I’ll report her weight asap. I have to find a small scale tomorrow.

[CritterMom]

SMZ-TMP (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) brand name Bactrim
Cipro
Baytril (veterinary drug)
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (brand name Augmentin)

We will need the size of the pill in milligrams and her weight. YOU will need a 1ml syringe without a needle and with clear markings to administer)

[Squirrelman]

SMZ-TMP (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) brand name Bactrim
Cipro
Baytril (veterinary drug)
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (brand name Augmentin)

We will need the size of the pill in milligrams and her weight. YOU will need a 1ml syringe without a needle and with clear markings to administer)

Not sure if this will help but I have some SMZ-TMP (200mg/40mg per 5ML) but it is oral suspension. I could look further if this is not a good option. I think this is flavored for children. Also I’ll have a scale later today for weight. Thanks.

[island rehabber]

Not sure if this will help but I have some SMZ-TMP (200mg/40mg per 5ML) but it is oral suspension. I could look further if this is not a good option. I think this is flavored for children. Also I’ll have a scale later today for weight. Thanks.

SMZ-TMP is okay but not the best for UTI's by a long shot. For soft tissue injuries it's excellent but very slow. Best fast-acting ABs for UTI are the enrofloxacins: Baytril, Cipro, etc

[Squirrelman]

SMZ-TMP is okay but not the best for UTI's by a long shot. For soft tissue injuries it's excellent but very slow. Best fast-acting ABs for UTI are the enrofloxacins: Baytril, Cipro, etc

Ok I have some cipro 250mg tablets. Nutella weighs about 495g. I put her in a pillow case to get her weight.

[CritterMom]

I sent you dilution and dosing info by PM

[Squirrelman]

Update. Nutella is responding really well to her treatment. She’s been very active and is eating and drinking much better. She is also urinating normal again. She is still swollen but I’m assuming that will take some time to go down. I’ve read around and have read that calcium stones could be the root cause to UTI’s in squirrels so now I’m wondering if I should be putting her on a special diet to help treat that?

[CritterMom]

What is her diet?

Also, too much calcium can cause stones, but the infection is caused by e-coli bacteria. I suppose the inflammation from passing small stones might make it easier for the bacteria to take hold (?). Given that all of their business is quite close together, it isn't difficult for the bacteria from the anal area to migrate to the urinary tract. It is the same reason that human females get them WAY, WAY more frequently than men do...

[Squirrelman]

What is her diet?

Also, too much calcium can cause stones, but the infection is caused by e-coli bacteria. I suppose the inflammation from passing small stones might make it easier for the bacteria to take hold (?). Given that all of their business is quite close together, it isn't difficult for the bacteria from the anal area to migrate to the urinary tract. It is the same reason that human females get them WAY, WAY more frequently than men do...

She eats cabbage, sugar peas, asparagus, carrots, squash, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apple, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, pecans, almonds, hazel nuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and Henry’s healthy blocks. She only gets a couple nuts a day. She also has a small mineral lick and pieces of deer antlers to chew on for extra supplement and also just for her teeth. I also give her fresh sweet corn but in small amounts and just occasionally.

[CritterMom]

She eats cabbage, sugar peas, asparagus, carrots, squash, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apple, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, pecans, almonds, hazel nuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and Henry’s healthy blocks. She only gets a couple nuts a day. She also has a small mineral lick and pieces of deer antlers to chew on for extra supplement and also just for her teeth. I also give her fresh sweet corn but in small amounts and just occasionally.

That sounds pretty good to me. A lot of folks read a lot about MBD and start dumping calcium powder on EVERYTHING and that can be a real problem. They are even in the process of reeling in the amount of calcium they recommend for post-menopausal women because it causes heart issues. I personally prefer doing what you are doing - using the HHBs for the vitamins and minerals and limiting high phosphorus foods as much as I can.