Re: Taz again
Hi everyone: those marble or hazelnut sized glands on either side of a male eastern gray squirrel are called "mating plug glands", also known as a copulation plug, sperm plug, vaginal plug, sement or sphragis and are used to store a sebaceous/waxy/gelatinous secretion used in the mating of some species. It is deposited by a male into a female genital tract, such as the vagina, and later hardens into a plug or glues the tract together.While females can expel the plugs afterwards, the male's sperm still gets a time advantage in getting to the egg, which is often the deciding factor in fertilization.
When the plug fails, is the situation where a female has several squirrels babies whom have different fathers. The mating plug glands are not unique to squirrels, other species including several primates, kangaroos, bees, rats, reptiles, rodents, scorpions, mice, and spiders. The mating plug plays an important role in sperm competition and may serve as an alternative and more advantageous strategy to active mate guarding. In some species, such a passive mate-guarding strategy may reduce selection on large male size. Such a strategy may be advantageous because it would allow a male to increase reproductive success by spending more time pursuing new female mates rather than active mate guarding.
The glands on squirrels are supposed to feel to the touch like a hard shelled hazelnut. In that condition they are neither impacted nor inflamed and unless one notices the male squirrels trying to "suck" his penis (pardon the explicit language) consistently, it should not be a cause for concern. Incidently, when the glands become full they will try to "suck" it empty or at least to lessen the pressure. Attached are pictures of the waxy material from my Trooper. Sometimes this waxy/gelatinous substance will be left after male squirrels urinate and after a while it may - in warm weather- melt down to mix with the urine, making it appear as a greasy oil slick afterwards or when one tries to clean it.
Hope this helps explain the function and its usefulness.
Trooper's dad
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Originally Posted by
Diggie's Friend
I agree they are impacted. The vet removes the compacted material of course under anesthesia.
As for soaking in warm water and giving your boy a drop on these areas that is fine.
If I recall correctly, the vet that did this procedure had to open up the gland to get the impacted gunk out, as it wasn't coming out quickly or well otherwise.
In doing an exam to check this out, even so he is blind, he may be able to see shadows, keep his head under the covers (a towel ok to use for this venue above him and below wrapped so that the opening on the side facing you), which dampens the sound as well. Put the fold on your side, and with one hand pressing down on the front open of the towel so he can't get out that way, and your other hand over the back and his head and shoulders gently but firmly holding him down, so he can't back up either. For if his feet are put in contact with the metal exam table this will support him getting away from you, for the pads of the feet that are like rubber tires give him much traction.
While you wait talk to your boy in a lower slower tone as to not relate your concern for him to him by using baby talk in a high voice that excites. Then when the vet comes in he can just lift the towel to do the exam while you hold your boy in place. Be sure to let your Vet know your plan ahead of your arrival at the clinic, so the exam can be done quickly.
In regards to anesthesia, if your vet uses a box for anesthesia, have a towel be put over the box immediately upon putting him in it, so that he can't see any light; this supports him to feel like he is safe in a nest instead of hitting the inside walls to try to get out.
During any procedure under anesthesia it is needful that heated towels and a heat lamp be provided during the procedure, and an incubator afterwards in recovery.
If you can post the first x ray in a format that I can view would be helpful. It may not be needful to take an x-ray since he had one recently.
If you and your Vet agree to have them attempt to remove the build up in the glands, best to do that another day; for testing the blood is important to do prior to a procedure that may require surgery so that any other conditions that might be revealed in his blood would be known going into the procedure; also important not to add more time to him being under anesthesia.
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