BLIND 5 WEEK OLD SQUIRREL-HELP-ANY EYE SPECIALTYVET'S IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS AREA?

[LoriT]

Hello, My name is Lori, a few months ago I rehabbed 4 baby squirrels from ages 1 week until the ages of 5-6 weeks and then passed them on to a professional rehab place in Kansas City called OWL Operation Wildlife. I was in touch with OWL through out the entire process. They have done a wonderful job and I donate to them often. I received a call from a lady in our local town who found an injured squirrel just after a massive storm we had. This squirrel (now named Rocky) is approx 5 weeks old and seems to be blind. I took him immediately to the vet and Rocky was given a shot of Dex and i was given Tobramycin eye drops to use 3 x a day. Now it's just a waiting game. However his eye is opaque and turquoise blue. I am calling OWL again today. In the meantime is there anything else I can do for him and should I get him to an Vet-eye specialist if I can find one?

[CritterMom]

OK, they only just do open their eyes at 5 weeks and they are always a little bit opaque. However, frequently babies that have had it pretty bad to begin with - found starving/dehydrated, etc., will have eyes like this that clear on their own with good nutrition.

[island rehabber]

I second what CritterMom said above -- very often these opaque eyes will clear once health is restored. In the case of one rehab squirrel I had last fall, one of his eyes remained opaque blue right around the center for weeks and weeks -- I think it finally cleared about two weeks before I released him.