A bit lethargic and blood on/in penis

[TheRatQueen]

A few days ago one of our boys, Sherlock (a little less than a year old), got in a fight and had a little piece of his ear bitten off. (great thing to wake up to) Since then, he hasn't been the same. He doesn't seem to be eating as much and he hasn't been greeting us at the cage. Today he went up in his box and slept almost all day only eating a little bit of a carrot. He's being a bit weird. We picked him up a little bit ago to hang out with him, and we noticed that his penis is bleeding. Also, about 4/5 days ago he had labored breathing and seemed as if he was getting a URI so he has been on Baytril since then. He's never been on any medication before. Could this be a mix of the antibiotics and stress?

I'm calling the vet tomorrow to see if they can fit him in tomorrow night.

Thanks.

 

[TheRatQueen]

Also...we just found where he was sleeping a puddle of blood and urine. He is just drinking and cleaning his penis. I have no idea what in the world to do.

 

[purinpurin]

Could be a UTI, or a minor cut from his scrap with the other rat. The only thing I can suggest is to get your rat to the vet ASAP. I'm sorry to hear about this.

 

[TheRatQueen]

Thanks, I left a message on their overnight line and they will call be back in the morning. It stinks because I have to wait 12hrs to hear if they can get me in.

 

[purinpurin]

That blows! 12 hours is a long wait, hang in there!

Does your rat appear to be cleaning his privates well enough? If not, have you tried putting a warm towel on it and dabbing away the blood gently?

 

[TheRatQueen]

He is definitely cleaning it enough along with everything else on his body. He is a very well groomed rat and does it to his cage mates as well. He can't stand being with dirty rats!

 

[jorats]

It does sound like perhaps a bladder infection. That means Baytril is not working for it so he'll need something like Clavamox. But he might need to stay on Baytril as well for the URI.

 

[TheRatQueen]

Thank you jo!

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Have you pushed out his penis to make sure the penis itself isn't bleeding? It does sound like a UTI but it would be good just to make sure. Also it might be a good idea just to double check that he is getting the proper dose of baytril.

 

[TheRatQueen]

To make light of the situation, my boyfriend had one of our boys on his shoulder and we were talking and he let out a HUGE river of pee on him. I couldn't stop laughing.

 

[TheRatQueen]

I tried to push it out as best as I could and no blood came out unless a bit of urine came out...so I am suspecting UTI. He should be getting the proper dose. It's the only amount that our vet has ever told us to give to them. I am hoping to get into the vet tomorrow, they are really good about it so I will definitely check. Thank you.

 

[user 1946]

In the mean time if you have cranberry juice, that really helped with my boys UTI before we got him on meds.

 

[TheRatQueen]

Ok, I will go out and buy some now at the 24/hr mart. It's okay to give it to them w/ sugar in it? And how much did you give them?

Thanks.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

No added sugar would be better.

As for the baytril (if you would like me to double check it for you) do you know the concentration of it and your ratties weight?

 

[TheRatQueen]

The bottle actually doesn't have the strength. We've been giving him .1 mL per the vet for URI. His weight: 481g

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

It all depends on the concentration but in my experience injectable Baytril (50mg/mL) is used and can be mixed with flavouring. So if you have just straight Baytril then 0.1mL twice a day would be the proper dose but if it's mixed with anything then that will lower the concentration so he would need a higher dose twice a day.

 

[lilspaz68]

If he's an older boy who's not as flexible to groom down there, you might need to start checking for penis plugs. Plugs can cause UTI's.

 

[TheRatQueen]

Got back from the vet today with .2ml 2x day of baytril. Vet said his bladder was very hard and distended and was concerned. Took him to do an xray to see if he had any masses and/or stones. All came back negative. The vet believes he just has a bad bladder infection. He is already acting so much better and finally eating. Makes me a happy Momma.

Thanks for all of your help/suggestions.

 

[mamarat]

Great!!

 

[lilspaz68]

The abs should work soon.