Potential UTI in 8-Month Old Red

[Syd and Squeegee]

Hi all!

So Mr. Squeegee has a tendency to pee sporadically in small amounts but only what seems to be circumstantially. When I come into his room, he gets extremely excited and will sporadically pee while jumping around and “oinking”. Kinda like an over-excited puppy that pees when their owner comes home or something. But when I’m not there, he seems to pee okay? There will be large puddles of pee in his cage (his preferred pee spot) that appear when I’m not actively in the room that don’t indicate sporadic release. BUT there will occasionally be smaller wet spots near the larger puddle that maybe could indicate some release issues. He is a helluva water drinker, eats his boo balls diligently (made with Teklad 2018 and HHB), and even eats some veggies despite being a red (cauliflower and dried mushrooms).

Also, sometimes after being excited and doing his jumping-while-sporadically-peeing thing, it will seem like he’ll try to settle and release more in his cage but he won’t actually (be able to?) go and his apparent attempted bathroom break only lasts about two seconds before he’s out oinking and running around again (and sometimes sporadically peeing again while going crazy and having fun). I can’t tell if it’s excited impatience or a release issue indicative of a UTI.

Any advice?
Thank you guys!!!!! <3

P.S. In terms of antibiotics, I have doxycycline monohydrate (Monodox) immediately available to me!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi all!

So Mr. Squeegee has a tendency to pee sporadically in small amounts but only what seems to be circumstantially. When I come into his room, he gets extremely excited and will sporadically pee while jumping around and “oinking”. Kinda like an over-excited puppy that pees when their owner comes home or something. But when I’m not there, he seems to pee okay? There will be large puddles of pee in his cage (his preferred pee spot) that appear when I’m not actively in the room that don’t indicate sporadic release. BUT there will occasionally be smaller wet spots near the larger puddle that maybe could indicate some release issues. He is a helluva water drinker, eats his boo balls diligently (made with Teklad 2018 and HHB), and even eats some veggies despite being a red (cauliflower and dried mushrooms).

Also, sometimes after being excited and doing his jumping-while-sporadically-peeing thing, it will seem like he’ll try to settle and release more in his cage but he won’t actually (be able to?) go and his apparent attempted bathroom break only lasts about two seconds before he’s out oinking and running around again (and sometimes sporadically peeing again while going crazy and having fun). I can’t tell if it’s excited impatience or a release issue indicative of a UTI.

Any advice?
Thank you guys!!!!! <3

P.S. In terms of antibiotics, I have doxycycline monohydrate (Monodox) immediately available to me!

Hi Syd and Squeegee:
I'm sorry you haven't had a response yet! I don't think anyone can tell you with certainty that Mr. Squeegee does or does not have a UTI but my impression from reading your post; considering that MS is very active, does not seem to be in any distress even when he is peeing, and has a normal and good appetite & fluid intake; I doubt that he has a UTI or any illness! That being said, a UTI is best diagnosed when the urine can be examined under a microscope by someone trained in preparing and looking at the specimen. Obviously, without Veterinary support, this will be impossible for the average pat owner. Again, as long as Mr Squeegee is active, not in any apparent distress or having any apparent difficulty urinating, maintains a good appetite and fluid intake, and his urine appears clear and of normal color; it is unlikely that he has a UTI. I wish you both the very best for the New Year!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Syd and Squeegee]

Hi Syd and Squeegee:
I'm sorry you haven't had a response yet! I don't think anyone can tell you with certainty that Mr. Squeegee does or does not have a UTI but my impression from reading your post; considering that MS is very active, does not seem to be in any distress even when he is peeing, and has a normal and good appetite & fluid intake; I doubt that he has a UTI or any illness! That being said, a UTI is best diagnosed when the urine can be examined under a microscope by someone trained in preparing and looking at the specimen. Obviously, without Veterinary support, this will be impossible for the average pat owner. Again, as long as Mr Squeegee is active, not in any apparent distress or having any apparent difficulty urinating, maintains a good appetite and fluid intake, and his urine appears clear and of normal color; it is unlikely that he has a UTI. I wish you both the very best for the New Year!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

Thank you so much for the wisdom!! I no longer think he has a UTI! I discovered that if I walk into his room and wake him up (he alwayyys has to go after a good nap!), as long as I stay perfectly still and speak softly he won’t get overexcited and will actually stay in one place and fully urinate :rotfl Well, it works most of the time but sometimes his excitement can’t be contained lol, overall his urine is totally clear, no foul odors, in good quantities, and regular! No distress while going, only impatience! I swear he’s like a toddler who won’t finish going to the bathroom or insists they don’t even have to go when something fun is happening :rotfl Thank you again!!!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Thank you so much for the wisdom!! I no longer think he has a UTI! I discovered that if I walk into his room and wake him up (he alwayyys has to go after a good nap!), as long as I stay perfectly still and speak softly he won’t get overexcited and will actually stay in one place and fully urinate :rotfl Well, it works most of the time but sometimes his excitement can’t be contained lol, overall his urine is totally clear, no foul odors, in good quantities, and regular! No distress while going, only impatience! I swear he’s like a toddler who won’t finish going to the bathroom or insists they don’t even have to go when something fun is happening :rotfl Thank you again!!!

I'm glad things are going well with Mr Squeegee! Yes, Squirrels are a lot like kiddos in many respects!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[CritterMom]

They will eventually do this as adults. It's hormonal - they get a sudden "the world is ending" urge to make sure ALL of their territory is marked and tiny dribbles cover more territory than a couple big pees!

I keep everything in my room covered by old cotton sheets, the furniture, the floor, my bed - which has a thin blanket then two sheets covering it - all to absorb pee (from Zeke, not me!) Because the cotton is really absorbent, the sheets darken when they get wet, and when Zeke is "having one of his moments" you would NOT believe how many dark pee streaks start showing up! I think someone is sneaking in 6 packs for him...