Eye infection

[Mark]

My squirrel has an eye infection how do i rectify it?

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

My squirrel has an eye infection how do i rectify it?

Hi Mark:
What is the name of your Squirrel? Would you please upload some photos of your Squirrel with the focus of course being the eye that seems to be "infected" but also include a photo or two of the "normal" eye for comparison. It would be beneficial for you to describe in detail just what it is that you are observing that suggests to you that your Squirrel has an eye infection such as redness, drainage, bleeding, swelling of the eyelids or whatever.

Do you have any antibiotics available that are formulated to be used in the the eye (ophthalmic eye drops). A good option is Ofloxacin but another will usually be fine! Please check on the availability of any eye antibiotics.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mark]

Hi Mark:
What is the name of your Squirrel? Would you please upload some photos of your Squirrel with the focus of course being the eye that seems to be "infected" but also include a photo or two of the "normal" eye for comparison. It would be beneficial for you to describe in detail just what it is that you are observing that suggests to you that your Squirrel has an eye infection such as redness, drainage, bleeding, swelling of the eyelids or whatever.

Do you have any antibiotics available that are formulated to be used in the the eye (ophthalmic eye drops). A good option is Ofloxacin but another will usually be fine! Please check on the availability of any eye antibiotics.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel
Hi sam. I have pictures but unfortunately i cant load photos from my cell phone on this forum. There is randomly a white discharge. The reason i think its an eye infection is because the top and bottom eye lid is swollen and pink on the inside i had to help him open it because the discharge was holding his eye lids together. He has had trouble with that eye since he first opened his eyes. I have 8 red squirrels from the same litter and its impossible to tell them apart so i haven't named them yet. I dont know if its allowed but if you want to check my Facebook profile ill put pictures up. My name is mark tomsic. My cover photo is a motorcycle. Is there somewhere i can purchase antibiotic eye drop for squirrels?

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi sam. I have pictures but unfortunately i cant load photos from my cell phone on this forum. There is randomly a white discharge. The reason i think its an eye infection is because the top and bottom eye lid is swollen and pink on the inside i had to help him open it because the discharge was holding his eye lids together. He has had trouble with that eye since he first opened his eyes. I have 8 red squirrels from the same litter and its impossible to tell them apart so i haven't named them yet. I dont know if its allowed but if you want to check my Facebook profile ill put pictures up. My name is mark tomsic. My cover photo is a motorcycle. Is there somewhere i can purchase antibiotic eye drop for squirrels?

Thanks Mark! I am not setup for Facebook. Sorry! It certainly sounds like your Squirrel could benefit from Ophthalmic (eye) Antibiotics. There are none in the USA that are available without prescription! These medications are commonly prescribed however, for both people and pets and you or a friend or relative may have some available. If so, please post what they are and the concentration stated on the bottle along with the expiration date (just for review, often, these can be used effectively after the expiration date if there are no other alternatives).

A common eye infection is conjunctivitis which involves the thin membrane that lies over the eye except for the cornea which is the clear potion of the eye that allows passage of light. If thiere is abacterial cause for this, eye antibiotic drops are usually prescribed or recommended.

There are other causes for eye infections besides conjunctivitis. We all know that a Squirrels claws can inflict some damage to whatever they may cross and eyes are of course no exception. It is not unusual for a Squirrel to inadvertently scratch his own eye responding to an itch or from just an errant swipe of the claws. This can scratch the eyeball and since the cornea is usually exposed; a corneal injury is very common. The can result is a scratch or even a perforation of the eye. It is potentially serious! Antibiotics are usually required.

It has always been my recommendation that any Squirrel with the possibility of an eye injury or other problems such as cloudiness of the eye should be seen by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist ( a Veterinary eye specialist). This is rarely done because in many area, there are so such specialists and often when there are, the will not see wildlife!

Just for your information, here is a link to a short thread regarding eye issues that may help with understanding some of the possibilities and options;
( https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?69090-eye-infection&highlight=eye+infection ).

Most likely, the option of having your Squirrel seen by an ophthalmologist may be logistically impossible but if that is a possibility for you, I would strongly recommend this. You will also get a prescription with this visit. Please try to find any antibiotic eye drops and post them. Please keep on with the updates!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Spanky]

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[Spanky]

Posting squirrel babies on FaceBook can be playing with fire for overzealous wildlife officers or bass turd neighbors.

[Mark]

Thanks spanky for posting the pics for me.I never even considered a backlash. I think im ok though im in wi and we have very laxed laws concerning wildlife here but ill definitely be more careful where i post. The only eye antibiotics i have is erythromycin ophthalmic it was prescribed to me for my eye but it is a cream. Can i use this on the squirrel? I have smz tmp its an oral antibiotic will tat work?

[Spanky]

If there is any way to post better, close up pictures that would help.

Squirrels that are in pain will secret milky white tears from their eyes, but usually this is both eyes. Just make certain there is not a reason that he may be in pain.. a pinch, poke or whatever else.. feel his legs for breaks.

Sans tears of pain, I don't think there is any harm and giving the erythromycin a go and see if he shows improvement.. let us know!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Thanks spanky for posting the pics for me.I never even considered a backlash. I think im ok though im in wi and we have very laxed laws concerning wildlife here but ill definitely be more careful where i post. The only eye antibiotics i have is erythromycin ophthalmic it was prescribed to me for my eye but it is a cream. Can i use this on the squirrel? I have smz tmp its an oral antibiotic will tat work?

Hi Mark:
Again, my recommendation would be for your Squirrel to be seen by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. This is because, as mentioned, much more that could be going on beside a "simple" conjunctivitis such as a scratch on the eye that may involve the cornea, a perforation of the eye, a corneal ulceration, a foreign body in the eye such as a piece of a claw or other. I know that this recommendation is far easier for me to make than for someone to actually do so let's get back to your questions!

If erythromycin ophthalmic is the only eye medication you have, it will do. I have never heard of erythromycin ophthalmic antibiotic dream; I suspect that this an ointment but please clarify. It will be a acceptable choice. Is it expired and if so, what is the expiration date (is it fairly recent?)? My opinion (and I must make you aware of this and that is that I am NOT a Vet or an ophthalmologist!) would be that your Squirrel does not currently need a systemic antibiotic such as the SMZ-TMP.

I will send detailed instructions to you via PRIVATE MESSAGE as to how to administer the erythromycin ophthalmic ointment and my humble recommended dosing frequency and duration. Please provide at least daily updates.

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Tashahaven]

It’s very challenging to understand what is going on, with whom of your babies. I believe you have EIGHT littles, and your posts are all over the place from one thread to another.

Can you post an update of how it it going with your other 7 squirrels? Is it just 1 with an eye infection? Are the others all doing ok??

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Mark:
How is your Squirrel doing? What did you decide to do for him?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel