Eye infection/injury (pictures)

[Chuck2]

Hi everyone! My four and half year old little backyard buddy, Pepito, seems to have a severe eye infection or injury to his left eye. But, he is in good condition, does not seem to be in any pain. Don't see any kind of discharge from it, nor seems itchy.

Maybe these two pictures of it can better describe his condition, which some of you may able to identify.

You see, he is not a pet and never has been inside or handled by hand, but in the past he trusted me enough to accept medication treatment (Ibuprofen infused muffins and nuts) for his physical war injuries.

[Chuck2]

Update:
After a two day absence, my little buddy returned for a short visit. Because of the relentless new hype in the neighbourhood, all these fire pits and wood burning fireplaces can really be disorienting to the suburban wildlife. But despite his certain blindness in one eye, he is still in good condition and even in good spirits, too. I think this is a good sign.

However, reading about all these dreadful eye problems, I still can't figure out the cause of it, not to mention how would my semi-wild squirrel be treated by a guy like me.

One thing that never came up during my readings, but after seeing his eye became more bulging, I'm still concered that it could also be cancer or a parasite infection. - What do you think?

PS, Sorry about the upside down pics. Maybe one of the forum administrators can help me rotate them? Thank You!

[stepnstone]

Update:
After a two day absence, my little buddy returned for a short visit. Because of the relentless new hype in the neighbourhood, all these fire pits and wood burning fireplaces can really be disorienting to the suburban wildlife. But despite his certain blindness in one eye, he is still in good condition and even in good spirits, too. I think this is a good sign.

However, reading about all these dreadful eye problems, I still can't figure out the cause of it, not to mention how would my semi-wild squirrel be treated by a guy like me.

One thing that never came up during my readings, but after seeing his eye became more bulging, I'm still concered that it could also be cancer or a parasite infection. - What do you think?

PS, Sorry about the upside down pics. Maybe one of the forum administrators can help me rotate them? Thank You!

I'm sorry you have not received any replies to your posting, very unusual...
It appears to me (2nd&3rd pic) that there has been an injury to the lower section of eye, possibly from fighting.
I would also venture to say by the "clouding" he is blind in that eye. My concern when you mention "more bulging"
is infection setting in and that would require antibiotics. I read you do not see him everyday to be able to treat
effectively? Still, doing something may be better then nothing. What kinds of antibiotics could you possibly obtain if
you were to try and treat him?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=265207&stc=1 http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=265208&stc=1 http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=265209&stc=1 http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=265210&stc=1

[Chuck2]

Hi Stepnstone! Thank you for your help and the pics rotation.

You are right. He again did not show up today. But I finally found a few surplus Amoxicillin 500mg (giant) capsules. What is the safe dosage for his condition?

[Chuck2]

Second update:

Looks like for now Pepito has some blood in his eye. Would Infants' Ibuprofen help?

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[Mennome]

The eye has an ulcer. Could have been caused by many events in a squirrels life. A small scratch can become an ulcer when left untreated. The eye could perforate as well. Antibiotics may help, but eye meds WITH NO STERIOD, would be best....since he is wild that is not an option. In dogs and cats we actually suture their 3rd eyelids together to create a natural healing environment, and remove sutures 3 weeks later. Blood serum drops in the eye can help. Light is most likely painful. Yes, it could be a tumor which we see more in cats these days, and most recently a hamster.

He will most likely learn to cope.... pain meds and antibiotic wouldn't hurt the situation. I wish I could offer a positive outcome, but without treatment it will not heal...and it may already be too far gone. Any hope for catching him? Vet care?

[Nancy in New York]

Second update:

Looks like for now Pepito has some blood in his eye. Would Infants' Ibuprofen help?

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I am going to send you the dosing chart in a pm for the infant ibuprophen.
Let me double check what antibiotics may be best for him and hopefully you
can get a hold of one, that's all it would take for us to break it down and dose.
I will pm that info to you as well with the chart for dosing.

[island rehabber]

I agree that the eye looks ulcerated; there may be permanent corneal damage, as happened to one of my cats. Her eye is also clouded and blue, and it bulges if I don't regularly put Terramycin cream in it.
I think your best bet at this point is to try to get the amoxicillin into him for at least 4-5 days; countering any infection that may be brewing behind that eye is critical. Saving his sight, or the eye at any rate, is probably not going to happen.

[Chuck2]

Thank you Mennome, Nancy and Island Rehabber for all your advice! I really appreciate it.

So, as soon as he come by, I will try to start the treatment for him. He is a dominant alpha male, therefore I highly doubt he would be catchable. In Michigan, vets cannot treat squirrels. But, fortunately I did not see any light sensitivity as he seems to have enjoyed the sunshine two days ago.

Only one question remains, can I combine the antibiotic and the pain medication in the same visit?

I will check back on this topic and let you know any new developments with Pepito's eye.

[SammysMom]

Antibiotics and pain meds can be given at the same time. Many prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you Mennome, Nancy and Island Rehabber for all your advice! I really appreciate it.

So, as soon as he come by, I will try to start the treatment for him. He is a dominant alpha male, therefore I highly doubt he would be catchable. In Michigan, vets cannot treat squirrels. But, fortunately I did not see any light sensitivity as he seems to have enjoyed the sunshine two days ago.

Only one question remains, can I combine the antibiotic and the pain medication in the same visit?

I will check back on this topic and let you know any new developments with Pepito's eye.

Did you get the dosing for the antibiotic?

[Chuck2]

Antibiotics and pain meds can be given at the same time. Many prayers for a speedy recovery!

That is good to know. Thank you Sammy's Mom!

[Chuck2]

Did you get the dosing for the antibiotic?

Hello Nancy. My message is on the way.

[Nancy in New York]

Hello Nancy. My message is on the way.

:thumbsup

[Chuck2]

My greetings to you ladies and gentlemen. As I promised, I'm back with a newsflash regarding Pepito, who is coping well with his permanent vision disability. And his aim is perfect and have not noticed any balance problems either. He is still under the recommended daily med treatment; however, the size of his eye is now back to normal and does not seem as red as it was at the beginning of the week. Meaning, (thanks to you all) at least he does not have to fight more with an infection.

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[Nancy in New York]

My greetings to you ladies and gentlemen. As I promised, I'm back with a newsflash regarding Pepito, who is coping well with his permanent vision disability. And his aim is perfect and have not noticed any balance problems either. He is still under the recommended daily med treatment; however, the size of his eye is now back to normal and does not seem as red as it was at the beginning of the week. Meaning, (thanks to you all) at least he does not have to fight more with an infection.

265649

This is a great update.
I believe I'm the one that gave you the dosing, correct?
If so, the suggestion was for 7-10 days, so he should be finished
by Tuesday, right?
He is looking so much better!
Great job, and thank you for this update!

[SammysMom]

What a big beautiful boy! He is very lucky to have you to see to him...:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug
Great job helping him and thank-you for the great update! :fireworks

[stepnstone]

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/word/commend-great-smiley-emoticon.gif
I'm glad you have been able to treat and reduced the risk of infection,
thank you for caring about this beautiful boy. :grouphug

[island rehabber]

What a wonderful update! Squirrels do adapt quickly to losing an eye, as unfortunately quite a few of them do. I always think about One Eyed Jack(queline), a locally famous squirrel who made her home in a small street tree, right in the busiest intersection in Union Square, NYC. For years she dodged traffic, bikes and people and raised many little families. I met her twice and she looked like an old pirate squirrel, grizzled and squinty but, she thrived!

[Chuck2]

Happy Holiday to Everyone! I bring some new photos of my own little pirate friend, who again seems to become more attached to my soothing company or just my daily treats. Thanks to Nancy's med dosing charts and my granny's old mortar and pestle the antibiotics seem to have helped a lot.

While he definitely has lost his vision on one side, do you think these remaining white strip formations are normal in his eye? Also, that thin white discharge at the lower eyelid (pics 1, 3), does that mean he could still be experiencing pain? Or is this all the help that I can give him?

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[Chuck2]

Our best holiday wishes to the members of the Squirrel Board from Pepito and Chuck!

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(No more white stuff in his eye.)

[SammysMom]

Great news!:bliss