Severe Eye Injury

[rattyvonratkins]

Is there anything I can do for this guy? His eye is severely injured and bulging. I'm not sure when this injury happened but he does seem to be eating and moving around fine. I'm worried about this getting infected? The first pic of him is from last weekend when he was fine, followed by this morning's pics. They get more gory toward the end.

[UDoWhat]

At the very least, I would give Baytril ASAP. Really he should come in and have Vet care. The injury so close to the brain is so dangerous. This eye most likely needs to be removed. I am worried about maggot infestation. He does seem strong and eating is good. As we all know, squirrels are amazing self healers but I am worried about this sweet guy. :Love_Icon

[Bravo]

Ouch. Hard to tell if it's getting better or worse. Short of catching the poor little dude, would suggest Baytril, however as above, this could become more serious.

[TubeDriver]

I agree with UDoWhat and would start Baytril (or clavamox?) and also give him a dose of Capstar in case of any maggot infestation. Capstar is easy to get at any pet supply store.

I think all the recommendations to get this guy to a vet if possible are right on. If vet is not an option, treat with AB and Capstar. Based on the pics, I am pretty sure that he will never recover vision in that eye.

Make sure he has access to food and fresh water.


You know what that looks like to me........ a botfly infestation in the eye! If that was the case, would Capstar still be used or do you let it take its course?

[UDoWhat]

I took another look at the first picture. If you look at that eye I think you can see the eye is already in trouble. It looks a bit swollen at that point. I am beginning to think this was not an injury but something else. What... I am not sure. I have heard of pox in the eyes. The eye looks in some pictures like it blew up. If this is pox then antibiotics will not help. However, not knowing for sure, I would try to start this squirrel on Baytril. The reason for using Baytril is that it can be given 1x per day and that is helpful for a wild squirrel. It can be given on 1/2 of a pecan. Also it is a better antibiotic being stronger and able to penetrate tissue better than Clavamox. Watch for other possible pox lesions. I would dose this big guy at 600-700 grams. I have Baytril if needed.

[TubeDriver]

What do you think about the possibility of a bot fly in her eye? That last two pictures really look like a bot, you can almost see its outlines in what is left of the eye.



I took another look at the first picture. If you look at that eye I think you can see the eye is already in trouble. It looks a bit swollen at that point. I am beginning to think this was not an injury but something else. What... I am not sure. I have heard of pox in the eyes. The eye looks in some pictures like it blew up. If this is pox then antibiotics will not help. However, not knowing for sure, I would try to start this squirrel on Baytril. The reason for using Baytril is that it can be given 1x per day and that is helpful for a wild squirrel. It can be given on 1/2 of a pecan. Also it is a better antibiotic being stronger and able to penetrate tissue better than Clavamox. Watch for other possible pox lesions. I would dose this big guy at 600-700 grams. I have Baytril if needed.

[UDoWhat]

What do you think about the possibility of a bot fly in her eye? That last two pictures really look like a bot, you can almost see its outlines in what is left of the eye.
TD, Not sure about bot.... It could be. Google ocular pox virus in squirrels. It looks a lot like it could possibly be ocular pox. Maybe?? Whatever this is I just read that Baytril has better ocular penetration. Poor squirrel. He will need some help. :Love_Icon

RatVon, have you seen this squirrel today?

[island rehabber]

Truly awful...poor baby. TD and UdoWhat, do we think that a bot or pox would look so bloody and mangled like that? I wonder if something clawed at his eye and he lost the eye, then infection started to well up in the socket. It just looks way gory-er to me than pox OR botfly....:dono

[TubeDriver]

Well, regardless of the cause, Baytril would help prevent secondary infections.


TD, Not sure about bot.... It could be. Google ocular pox virus in squirrels. It looks a lot like it could possibly be ocular pox. Maybe?? Whatever this is I just read that Baytril has better ocular penetration. Poor squirrel. He will need some help. :Love_Icon

RatVon, have you seen this squirrel today?

[SammysMom]

Happy to take him to the vet if you trap him and meet me. I sort of doubt pox and bot, just because it has been so cool here in the northeast. You never know, but it seems like maybe an infection. If he was poked in the eye at some point this might have been the cause.

[UDoWhat]

Not sure either, SM and IR. I am sorta pox on the brain because we are seeing so much of it in MD, DC, and VA. Could be an injury but a few squirrels have come in to a big center here in MD looking a little like this with only eye involvement. I hope not pox for this one.
I can help with Vet and meds too if I am closer. Do not know the location of this squirrel.

[rattyvonratkins]

I saw him again this morning and he doesn't seem to be doing any better but he doesn't seem to be worse either. I was just happy to see him hopping around and eating like a normal squirrel. I've been giving him special treatment by giving him the biggest walnuts and pecans I can find and throwing distraction nuts to the other wilds so he can eat in peace, especially since he now has a big blind spot. It looks like his eye is just rotting off. I was wondering if he was poked as well. It seems odd to me that he has no other scratches or wounds on or near his face that I can see.

I can try to trap him but it will be difficult with so many wilds around and because I work full time... but I'll try my best. I can look for him before I go to work in the AM or if not, I can try this weekend as well. He's very friendly, sweet, and trusting so who knows- maybe it'll work.

I will upload new pics tonight although not much has changed since the last photos, as far as I can tell. Anyway, I was thinking of naming him Teddy before his eye trouble began since he looks like a little teddy bear to me, so I think I'll make that name stick. Otherwise, he'll end up with a horrible name like Bulgey or Igor (eye-gore). I'm terrible with names.

[rattyvonratkins]

Ps. I don't see any swelling in the first picture but I googled ocular pox and it looks somewhat similar to this guy's eye. However online it says the pox virus will produce multiple 'tumors' and I only see the one problem area on Teddy. How long does it take for pox to rear it ugly head? I'm curious since this thing seemed to crop up almost overnight, which made me suspect an injury.

In any case, I don't have any Baytril left :(

[TubeDriver]

If it is Pox, you should soon be seeing confirmation in the form of additional pox lesions on Teddy in the very near future.



Ps. I don't see any swelling in the first picture but I googled ocular pox and it looks somewhat similar to this guy's eye. However online it says the pox virus will produce multiple 'tumors' and I only see the one problem area on Teddy. How long does it take for pox to rear it ugly head? I'm curious since this thing seemed to crop up almost overnight, which made me suspect an injury.

In any case, I don't have any Baytril left :(

[UDoWhat]

Ps.

In any case, I don't have any Baytril left :(

Sending you a PM. I am not really sure what this is either but whatever it is it needs an antibiotic. Like I said, I have pox on the brain due to the large outbreak in this area. If it is pox you should see other lesions in 3-4 days I would think. If trauma this eye should be removed but that may happen on its own. Again these guys are amazing healers on their own. I think antibiotics will help though.

[rattyvonratkins]

Here are this morning's pictures as promised. Thanks for the help guys.

[SammysMom]

I am close and I have antibiotics. PM me your address and if UDoWhat PMs me about which AB is recommended I will see what I can do.:thumbsup

[UDoWhat]

SM I will PM you now.

[rattyvonratkins]

Here are the newest pics of Teddy. He seems to appreciate the special treatment and was practically posing for me. He came by around 2pm today so he avoided the rush and competition :dance

[TubeDriver]

Poor Teddy. :(

That looks awful. I don't think this is Pox since it is not developing anywhere else on him. I don't know what this is? Bot fly might be a good thing at this point because at least the bot would leave.

Poor fellow must be in terrible pain, I hope this somehow resolves on its own but I fear for this little one. Giving him food and water will at least help with his strength. Have you been able to give any meds?

[rattyvonratkins]

My concern is, I don't see Teddy every day. I see him on the weekends since I'm home but since I work Monday - Friday, I don't always see him every day during the week. Is it okay to give ABs every other day or whenever I see him? I'm not sure if it's effective unless given consistently.

[Kristi S]

I can see tiny blisters/warts under the bad eye and near the ear. I'll leave it to those with more experience to comment on them.

[rattyvonratkins]

The crusty layer came off revealing the horror underneath. Poor Teddy, I feel so bad for him :(

Sorry for the poor picture quality.

[island rehabber]

Actually, it looks very clean and not THAT horrible.....I have seen worse. He may not have sight in that eye but it is healing...

[TubeDriver]

I agree with IR that it is healing. The ring of hair loss surrounding the eye indicates that there is some remaining infection, hopefully that redness and slight swelling will reduce.


I do not know what to advise in terms of irregular AB doses? If you could treat him on a Friday and through the weekend then at least he would get 3 consecutive days but 5 days is the usual minimum.


If you treat incompletely, you might end up with resistant bacteria. On the other hand, I wonder if a couple days of treatment would eliminate a majority of the bacteria and then we just have to hope that Teddy's immune system can complete the job? This is a question that HRT4SQYRL might be able to answer.

[UDoWhat]

I agree with TD and IR. I do think it is healing and clean. I am not sure of the spotty dosing on the abs but if you think you can get 3-5 days of abs in him that would be great. I sent the abs to you today. You will have them tomorrow afternoon. I sent Baytril because it can be dosed 1 x per day. That is our best shot I think. Teddy is a wonderful squirrel.:Love_Icon I am so glad he has you.

[SammysMom]

I sent ABs last week. Brown padded envelope with an assortment.

[UDoWhat]

Oops... RVR had not received them as of Friday. The USPS system has struck again. :tap
Meanwhile that eye is looking sooooooo much better. :dance

[rattyvonratkins]

Eek I didn't realize I would be getting ABs from both of you. Well with the amount of wilds that frequent my yard, I'm sure it'll all be used eventually. In any case, please PM me with your email addresses and the dollar amount I owe you and I will happily reimburse you guys via Paypal. I got your package today Marty- thank you for everything. You are so very thoughtful! I haven't gotten the other package yet but I'm sure it'll turn up soon. Thank you to both :)

Teddy came by this morning and was patiently waiting for grub at the "breakfast table!" He is such a sweetie. :Love_Icon

[Sara in NW MS]

I hope Teddy's eye heals completely. It looks so much better now, that's awesome. I love the pic of him at the table! What a handsome boy. :Love_Icon

[rattyvonratkins]

Thanks Sara, Teddy is definitely a handsome boy, eye injury or not :Love_Icon

I'm glad the consensus seems to be that he is healing.

This little guy kept me waiting over a week to see him again! I was very worried but I finally saw him yesterday and he was as sweet as ever. :dance
Here are the newest pics.

[UDoWhat]

So glad Teddy has returned:dance All in all he looks better. From the picture it looks like the eye socket may be infected but as I said it really does look better. I think I might start the antibiotics and hope he will stay around for a while. I am wondering ...can you tell if he has a nasal discharge ?:thinking That would not be surprising but when I enlarge the pictures it seems to be the case. You are doing great with him. I think your supportive care has helped a lot. Easy access to food and water is so helpful. :Love_IconI am so glad he has you.

[TubeDriver]

What a handsome squirrel Teddy is. Too bad he lost his eye, but he should be able to make it out there especially with some additional treats and water from you!

I agree with UdoWhat, I would try to start him on ABs for the eye socket, maybe try for a Friday, sat, sun and possibly Monday treatment?