squinty

[Littlefoot]

I just noticed that my squirrel is squinting in his left eye. It's mostly open and it looks like its been watering. Also, the area below his eye is slightly swollen. I'm not really sure what to do about it. He's acting fine otherwise. Could it just be that something got in there or he scratched it?

[TexanSquirrel]

:Welcome I don't know what to tell you about your squirrel but I bet one of the rehabbers will be able to help you.

[island rehabber]

Sounds as if something is in there, irritating the eye. If you can handle him, just pull his lower lid down a bit and see if something got in there. You can flush the eye out, too -- the best thing is contact lens solution or saline solution in a squeeze bottle, because they don't harm the eye and don't sting either. Keep a close watch on it, because squirrels can get corneal ulcerations this way, and THAT gets quite serious.

[Jackie in Tampa]

yes...IRs advise is great, on the other side of coin...allergy, if anything new, remove immediately and see if that changes anything...:dono
good luck, and do the flush immediately, if not sooner!:thumbsup

[Littlefoot]

I went to rinse his eye out this morning and everything seems all better. It's open all the way and it's not swollen or watery anymore.