How to check squirrel vision?

[djarenspace9]

Any suggestions on how to check a squirrel's vision?

This is for an adult squirrel that survived a car accident and is otherwise physically well. She sometimes acts as if she's blind and other times as if she can see at least some. Can't figure out if she is part blind (sees some shapes) or maybe blind in one eye...

I'm hesitant to take her to the vet because if they confirm blindness they would probably euthanize her since she is wild.

:thankyou

[virgo062]

Can she walk a straight line? You may also talk to Anne..She has a blind squirrel

[Jackie in Tampa]

I'm hesitant to take her to the vet because if they confirm blindness they would probably euthanize her since she is wild.

:thankyou
:Love_Icon if you pay for medical attention, the decision is yours...if she is relinquished, yes most vets would suggest putting her down.
this is florida and she belongs to you/us!...
many non releasable sqs realize their handicaps and mellow out quite easy, not all though.:shakehead
good luck, and if i can help. i will!:Love_Icon

[djarenspace9]

Virgo, have you ever been able to make a squirrel walk a straight line?!? LOL
Mine bounce, hop, run and fly. They can do a figure 8 in the air, but I don't know about a straight line :D

Seriously though, Hope does not move around her cage like she's blind so I can't tell if she see's a little bit and makes out shapes or if she has memorized the layout. If I hold a piece of food right in front of her face though she does not seem to see it at all. It's very odd. I put her in a 3x3 cage only 2 feet tall because I was worried if she climbed high she may fall and hurt herself. I'm wondering what would be the best shape/size for a vision impaired squirrel. Maybe Anne or anyone else with a blind squirrel can advise what works for them.
:thankyou
Jackie, thanks and (sigh) I wish the vet situation were better for me here. Legal, yes, but my vet differs in opinions about wild animals with long term health problems and might stop serving me if we disagree to strongly. Besides I'm not sure how they could check her if she is wild. She does not handle being transported and strange places very well. When I brought her home she was frozen in fear and I thought she had died, she was so stiff and unresponsive for a long time. I can't imagine what a trip to the vet would do! I have found a new vet that has agreed to treat my permanent squirrels as if they were exotic pets, but it may be a while before I can get Hope tamed enough for that. We'll see! :dono :thinking

[crazysquirrels]

For the cage I would think long, wide, and low to the ground. My baby watches me like a nevious squirrel when she sees me. If yours is not following you with their eyes as you walk there maybe a problem.

[djarenspace9]

crazysquirrels,

Since she is a wild adult she does not have a great fondness for me. Mostly tucks herself away. She is aware I'm around I think by sound and smell and the cleaning/feeding routine. She comes out for food but otherwise is at rest. That is why I want to try to get her a larger cage to encourage her to come out and climb safely and so I can put more stuff in that might entertain her. I'm not sure if I should avoid using branches or not, or what size opening the cage material should have so she does not slip. She seems to climb the sides of the cage well but right now does not have much anywhere to go (just 2" tall). Not sure how tall I should go. :dono