Eye Surgery Needed

[Squirrely in Alabama]

I have an 8 week old that has glaucoma and needs her eye painful blind eye removed. My vet prescribed drops for her, but once she is released she will not come twice a day for the drops. The glaucoma is a result of severe head trauma. I received her at 3-4 days old and she had fallen from a tree onto packed dirt. I called her and her sister "The Grape Head Girls". My vet is willing to assist, however he does not know squirrels and does not know the dosing of anesthesia to use on her. He cannot intubate her so he will use a cone and gas. She weighs 240 grams.

Can anyone help me with this HUGE issue? If he does not get it right she may die.

[Jackie in Tampa]

I have an 8 week old that has glaucoma and needs her eye painful blind eye removed. My vet prescribed drops for her, but once she is released she will not come twice a day for the drops. The glaucoma is a result of severe head trauma. I received her at 3-4 days old and she had fallen from a tree onto packed dirt. I called her and her sister "The Grape Head Girls". My vet is willing to assist, however he does not know squirrels and does not know the dosing of anesthesia to use on her. He cannot intubate her so he will use a cone and gas. She weighs 240 grams.

Can anyone help me with this HUGE issue? If he does not get it right she may die.
Ok..I am not a rehabber but I can give you some hands on knowledge and some options to ponder....and my opinion which you can disreguard if you want.
First, I don;t think she should be released...not the eye issue ...but the head trauma issue.
the eye just adds to the handicap.
Second the eye maynot need to be removed..I had an injured eye sq...very bad...however meds should be given fir pain for sure, I recommend metacam if no dex has been given anytime in the last 48 hours.
The metacam is also an antiinflammartory as well as pain aide.
I have a very reknown vet that will answer all your vets questions...she is VERY reknown. She will not talk to yopu or I about your sqs eye and situation, however she will confere with your vet gladly, this has been done in the past, vet to vet. I will share her info if needed.
Also she will see him with referals, in tampa.
However because of the cost of such a serious surgery and the possibilities of infections, she has left eyeball injuries intact and instructed me how to care for and what to expect. It went as she said, I email pics every few days for her instruct on treatment and changes...it went smoothly.
I will post a link to mt thread on my Lucky!
I do have more thoughts on this and others will too.
Can you post pics?
Here are two threads about him!
BTW, he is the best pet sq I have ever ever seen!!!


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17365&highlight=sarasota+lucky


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17464&highlight=sarasota+lucky

:grouphug :bowdown :thankyou

[Squirrely in Alabama]

My vet would love to speak with her. I can post pictures, but I will need to do it in a few hours. Thank you so much! She climbs, jumps and acts just like the other 7 I am rehabbing. I realize she will be at a disadvantage. She was given steroids when I first received her at 3 days. Now she is on glaucoma drops, Trusopt, which decreases the pressure in her eye, thus decreasing the pain. Thank you for your help.

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://www.floridaveterinaryspecialists.com/about/doctor36.cfm
google her...very impressive!!! I am so lucky to have her in my driving range.
Pics would be great. I have no knowledge of that med or any sq ever having glacoma...?
If I can help in any way.....:grouphug
is she 7 weeks or months?
If she is non releasable are you able to keep her?'
if not TSB can and will find a forever home and transportation.
I also know some members here that are in Al with dynomite vets if you need reco or second opinions, etc.



:bowdown :thankyou :bowdown :thankyou :bowdown :thankyou :bowdown

[Squirrely in Alabama]

Thank you once again! She is now almost nine weeks old. It is a very difficult decision on what to do. If I absolutely knew someone would care for her and not keep her in a tiny cage, i would let her be a non-releasable. The other side of my heart says three months or three years of tearing through the tree tops is better than eight years in a cage. Okay, now I can hardly see the monitor because of my tears. I do not take this lightly, a life is at stake. I know all of you on this board must feel the same way.

You would not know she cannot see out of the eye. I do keep food for all my outdoor grown squirrels. Food would never be an issue. It is the hawks I worry about. The job I love pays crap (literally), causes heartache, tears and scratched up arms, and it cost me to do it each day, so why do I love it so much?????

[Pointy Tale]

Squirrely in Alabama—Hi! Welcome to TSB, I wish it were under better circumstances. I am Not a rehabber and no advice or suggestions to offer you. I wanted to thank you for saving and caring so much for this little one. Jackie is very knowledgeable and if you read about Lucky, you will be surprised, it is an amazing story. I wish you all the best,

[Jackie in Tampa]

SqInAl and I have been PMing, PL is in Church.and I have also Pmed some members near that may also be of assistance..
iF ANYONE HAS ANY EXPERIENCE WITH SERIOUS EYE ISSUES, sALLY COULD USE SOME ADVISE AND SUPPORT! new keyb...
thank you Sqly...TSB has many wonderful members with great support and also the finest rehabbers ever!
sending good vibes from Sq C
I have to feed some babies soon! I'll ck back soon! fingers crossed, hugs to sally!:thumbsup