Blood In Urine, Again. All Blood.

[dixiegal1]

Hi! We currently are in the care of a 1 year old (well, 16 months), who is certified by Dr. E as "derpy". Winston, has had frequent UTIs (we believe) and the 3 in the past, have been cured with Sulfatrim (an antibiotic) with the appropriate dose. We are unsure if this one is from one not clearing up, or if another issue is here? We have removed anything that would be adding irritation to him as well, so no wood or anything abrasive in his cage or around for months. Or in the room where he is out and explores.

His diet is henry bricks, for picky eaters. Vegetables (mostly green, corn as an infrequent treat, nothing colorful to dye the urine), very minimal fruit. He doesn't even like much fruit. But, a pecan unshelled as a treat, and sometimes we've soaked it with the medicine to minimize the stress from the oral administration. He doesn't chew on random objects and isn't near anything to dye his urine, we know it's blood.

Could he have a urinary tract issue? With a recurring UTI, we are thinking that. Or Thyroid? Or anything else. We have talked to vets in the past and they have agreed with the UTI, but I am asking my fellow squirrel lovers for any advice! Or ideas! We will be taking him back to Dr. E if this continues.

I just want my little boo happy! He always seems uncomfortable when he feels like this. I hate him feeling bad and feel like a terrible squirrel mom. He is such a loving, and kind squirrel... just wants to be near me and cuddled. I have to do my best for him!

[Mel1959]

It absolutely could be another UTI or one that was never cleared up with the meds. Did Dr. E prescribe and treat him with the SMZ? Or was it another vet? It would seem to me that running a sample of his urine would identify the bacteria and it could be treated with the best antibiotic. Maybe the medication wasn’t correct or wasn’t used long enough. Or maybe it needed another medication stacked with it for better coverage. Since you have access to one of the best squirrel vets around (Dr. E) I think I’d make an appointment and have her see him again.

In the meantime, you can offer some cranberry juice or dried cranberries and see if that will help and provide some relief.

I’ve never heard of thyroid issues affecting the urine by producing blood. Anyone else know?

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Dixiegal1:
Just to help with formulating a list of possibilities (called a Differential Diagnosis in the practice of medicine), what color is the urine or fluid that you are noticing? Is it bright red, brownish, whatever? Where are you noticing this? Squirrels that are kept in a cage with wire bottoms usually find a location that they use regularly to urinate ( oftentimes called latrining) and the urine of course goes through the wire bars and ends up in a pan under the cage. Frequently other material such as dropped food, nesting materials, etc can also be found in the pan before the pan is periodically cleaned out. This material can sometimes stain the fresh urine and make it appear darker than it is or actually change its color and consistency. Nevertheless, if what you are seeing is bright red, it is probably blood. Using the process of Differential Diagnosis where possible causes and their likelihood are tabulated in a list, a Urinary Tract Infection is probably most likely. Usually these are a cystitis or what is a bladder infection. Ideally, a sample of using can be tested and actually looked at through a microscope for signs of a UTI which include the presence of White Blood Cells in the urine. A culture of the urine is also best to do (this is where any bacteria present are grown on some special material ion a lab) but it may take 24 hours or more for even a preliminary report. This evaluation would need to be performed usually by a Vet. Going back to the Differential Diagnosis for blood in the urine, thyroid disease is not really in the running but there are a multitude of other possible causes including kidney disease, stones and again, many others. A UTI is most likely however. In light what your wrote, "Winston, has had frequent UTIs (we believe), it appears that a UTI was not truly diagnosed by a Vet and was assumed to be the cause of what was going on with Winston. Again, a UTI is likely but may not be. Also, most of the pet Squirrels or Squirrels kept in captivity do NOT develop blood in their urine or UTI's so if Winston is really developing multiple UTI's and/or having blood in the urine there may likely be another causative factor for this such as problems with the urinary drainage system or stones. I would strongly suggest having Winston seen ASAP by Dr. E if at all possible. If you cannot expeditiously take Winston to a Vet, please describe the fluid as best you can and maybe even upload a photo, weigh Winston accurately in grams, and check on what antibiotics you have available and their strength (such as 100mg per table just as an example).
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[dixiegal1]

[QUOTE=SamtheSquirrel2018;1340101]Hi Dixiegal1:

The pee has been found when he has been walking around on the floor. In the cage found as well the same color.
Thank you for all of the suggestions as well, Dr. Emmerson is on vacation until the 19th but we are playing phone tag with a few other vets at the moment. When we took him to Dr. Emmerson, she did diagnose a UTI but, now we are also thinking it's more.
So the urine color is bright red.

For antibiotics, we can get anything today. On hand, we have per the suggestion of Dr. E from last time Sulfatrim, the whole bottle and we've been giving him .4 2x a day. The Sulfatrim has worked in the past but we can get anything you suggest. I will reply back with weight after he wakes up. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to respond to this, it means the world!

[HRT4SQRLS]

That certainly does look like blood but to be sure… he hasn’t had any acorns, right? Just need to confirm. This is the time of year when people start panicking because their squirrel is peeing blood and it’s actually discolored urine from acorns. Because this is ongoing and a vet is involved I feel certain this is blood.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You mentioned soaking a nut with the med to minimize the stress of oral administration. That won’t work. You won’t be able to assure that the proper dosing is achieved. 0.4mL is a LOT to get into a squirrel. I know you’re probably using the manufacturer prepared Sulfatrim solution so you can’t manipulate the concentration. I like to manipulate the concentration so that the volume of the dose is small. The more concentrated the solution is, the less the volume of the dose (and easier to administer).

Beside SMZ, the other options are Baytril and Clavamox. A culture will certainly narrow this down with certainty to the antibiotics that will work. Baytril tastes horrible. Clavamox does not. Is that is an issue you might want to opt for the Clavamox. Whatever you do I wouldn’t wait until the 19th for DrE’s return. A UTI can become life threatening while waiting.

[Mel1959]

I’m not sure where you’re located in Florida, but I know of several vets that see squirrels around the Orlando area, as well as Tampa. If you’d like the names I’m happy to share them?

Waiting till the 19th is a pretty long time. And you know Dr. E is gonna be swamped when she returns.

[Scooterzmom]

You mentioned soaking a nut with the med to minimize the stress of oral administration. That won’t work. You won’t be able to assure that the proper dosing is achieved. 0.4mL is a LOT to get into a squirrel. I know you’re probably using the manufacturer prepared Sulfatrim solution so you can’t manipulate the concentration. I like to manipulate the concentration so that the volume of the dose is small. The more concentrated the solution is, the less the volume of the dose (and easier to administer).

Beside SMZ, the other options are Baytril and Clavamox. A culture will certainly narrow this down with certainty to the antibiotics that will work. Baytril tastes horrible. Clavamox does not. Is that is an issue you might want to opt for the Clavamox. Whatever you do I wouldn’t wait until the 19th for DrE’s return. A UTI can become life threatening while waiting.

I have found that in order to administer his meds to our boy Victor it is as simple as rubbing the tip of the syringe in peanut butter. I pick him up. wrap him in his blankie and give him a whip of the syringe and voilà! Mouth opens up and as he reaches for the syringe, pop it goes in

[Mel1959]

What did you decide to do? Did you locate another vet? Or are you going to dose him yourself?

[dixiegal1]

[QUOTE=Mel1959;1340111]

Oh, I would love some recs!

We are hoping to get squeezed in on her return date of 11/16 since she has seen him before. It's her first day back but she said she was worried about him. If not, they will ship us some different meds to keep him okay until she can. He's about the same, but sometimes it's all blood and others it's clear. I'm keeping a close eye on him because he's my baby!

I plan on posting all information/knowledge/everything whenever we have an answer and everything figured out.

[dixiegal1]

What did you decide to do? Did you locate another vet? Or are you going to dose him yourself?

We have him on Sulfatrim/Bactrim as it has worked in the past, but isn't doing what it used to. He's at 492g so we are waiting till tomorrow to see if we get squeezed in or will have overnight new medicine. Hopeful for her to see him though!

[dixiegal1]

You mentioned soaking a nut with the med to minimize the stress of oral administration. That won’t work. You won’t be able to assure that the proper dosing is achieved. 0.4mL is a LOT to get into a squirrel. I know you’re probably using the manufacturer prepared Sulfatrim solution so you can’t manipulate the concentration. I like to manipulate the concentration so that the volume of the dose is small. The more concentrated the solution is, the less the volume of the dose (and easier to administer).

Beside SMZ, the other options are Baytril and Clavamox. A culture will certainly narrow this down with certainty to the antibiotics that will work. Baytril tastes horrible. Clavamox does not. Is that is an issue you might want to opt for the Clavamox. Whatever you do I wouldn’t wait until the 19th for DrE’s return. A UTI can become life threatening while waiting.

I agree. We are moving in the right direction! We've been burrito wrapping him (against his will) and getting the volume in. Have you had experiences with Baytril or Clavamox? We are either taking him Tuesday morning or getting medicine overnighted. So thankful for this squirrel community!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Dixiegal1:
Were you able to get Winston seen by a vet or have an appointment scheduled? How is the little guy doing?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mel1959]

How is Winston doing? Was it a UTI?