Squinting, watery/tearing/clear discharge, discolored gray spot in eye

[Phoxy8947]

2 of my babies have this. Eyelids seem swollen, eye is half shut or they are constantly squinting. One has the tearing/watery clear discharge. The other doesn't, but both have a discolored grayish spot in the affected eye... Constantly pawing at the face/eye. At first, looked like a line or maybe a hair or something in the eye--- Tried to flush it with my contact lens cleaning solution, but didn't dislodge, so doesn't seem to be a foreign body... I'm thinking either some kind of infection or maybe a scratch to the surface of the eye. Ordered Terramycin on Amazon (Prime), will receive in 1 or 2 days--- Will this help? What is this? Does anyone have a diagnosis? I am a newly licensed rehabber, so I can bring them to the vet without worrying about having them taken from me, but I'm trying to learn what this is and how to treat it....

[cava]

Those gray things could be abrasions or ulcers. You won't know until the vet sees them. They can put a stain in and see what's really going on. They could become scarred if they are allowed to scratch and if whatever they have isn't treated quickly. You don't wanna mess around with eyes. (Terramycin is an antibiotic eye ointment. It won't treat viral or fungal issues.)

I suggest you get them in tomorrow morning to the vet.

[Phoxy8947]

Ugh, yea I had suspected (from everything I read) that it might be some kind of scratch or possible ulcer... Maybe even an infection of some kind becuz first one had it, then the other... I'm definitely gonna try to get them in to see a vet tomoro-- Only problem is that I've found a vet who treats wildlife in my area, but I didn't wanna bring up the subject of fees or payment over the phone with the receptionist... I just feel uncomfortable asking anyone for anything, and I don't wanna just meet someone and immediately start asking for discounts or whatever... How much do u think it will cost me to get them both in? I'm on Long Island, is anyone else in NY is on the board and can give me an idea of how much... Also, do I have to pay all upfront? or do they bill afterward? I really wanna get my babies in to see the vet, all three, not just the two with the eye problems...

[cava]

Ask if they offer a discount for people who rescue pets or rehab wildlife. You won't be the only person asking, many people do because it's costly to feed a bunch of extra mouths, not to mention your time. You could ask the receptionist for an estimate and ask if her if the doc gives a discount for rescuers.

Herpes can be caught by another, and it cause ulcers, but I don't have any idea if squirrels get herpes. Just making guesses.

[Phoxy8947]

Will do... Hold on, I'm gonna try to get a pic up of my baby's eye, so u can see the gray spot that I'm talking about... Please, if anyone has any idea of what it could be, please give me an answer-- Don't get me wrong, I love all my babies, but of the two who are affected, Baby is my absolute favorite... She seems to be some kind of special needs baby, since she has no grip, no strength really, hangs limp half the time, and her facial features are very distinct from the others... Even her fur is different... I could pick her out of a crowd, that's how distinctive and different she is... She needs me!! Or maybe I need her-- But I just need her to be ok... Thanks for ur help.

[Phoxy8947]

See the spot?

[Milo's Mom]

I am very new to eye issues but that looks very much like my guy that had an ulcerated cornia. Vet prescribed ofloxacin every 4 hours and neopolybac at night. It took several weeks to go away completely. The dye test they do is utterly amazing. It makes it so clear and easy to see.

[Phoxy8947]

Thanks for ur reply. I ordered the Terramycin becuz I couldn't find Neomycin Polymyxin Bacitracin opthalmic ointment online, and when I went to te pharmacy, they told me it was by prescription only... So I settled and ordered the Terramycin becuz when I was looking up what it could be/how to treat it in "Wild Mammal Babies", it mentioned that Terramycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, so I thought it was probly the next best thing... I will bring my babies to the vet tomoro. Do they charge at the visit? Or do they bill u afterwards? I only have about $1000 in the bank, and rent is coming up. But if they take credit cards. I can use that...

[Milo's Mom]

I have absolutely no idea what your vets billing practices are. All of the vets I've ever used for domestics or wildlife require payment in full upon treatment. You're really going g to have to check with the vet. No one here is going to be able to answer that with certainty unless they happen to use the same vet as you.

[Phoxy8947]

Ok, thanks. I've never been to a vet before... Well, once, for another squirrel, before I got my license, but they said they would euthanize him for a degloved tail!! So I said no, and took him back home with me.... But I wil absolutely be taking Dulce and Baby tomoro....

[Phoxy8947]

I am very new to eye issues but that looks very much like my guy that had an ulcerated cornia. Vet prescribed ofloxacin every 4 hours and neopolybac at night. It took several weeks to go away completely. The dye test they do is utterly amazing. It makes it so clear and easy to see.

U were rite!! It was an ulceratwd cornea. But the vet prescribed Terramycin, which I had already ordered anyways... Thanks