Extremely weak and lethargic, cloudy eye, no appetite, won't leave bed box

[Rabs]

I have been scouring the web for more info. Can't find anything about squirrels having Nictitating Membranes, and most mentions of squirrels having cloudy eyes seem to be about nutrition and hydration. I have not been able to find a vet anywhere near me that will see a squirrel, but I haven't called all of them yet. I'm going to just keep giving her a healthy diet and maybe I'll pick up some Pedialyte and put a bowl of that in there too. Most of the threads and articles I've read say that it can heal with time. The waiting is hard, though. I'm very worried about her vision, but at least her energy level has improved. Not 100% but probably 80%, and that might just be because she can't see where she's going.
Thanks for everyone's help!
Rabs

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I have been scouring the web for more info. Can't find anything about squirrels having Nictitating Membranes, and most mentions of squirrels having cloudy eyes seem to be about nutrition and hydration. I have not been able to find a vet anywhere near me that will see a squirrel, but I haven't called all of them yet. I'm going to just keep giving her a healthy diet and maybe I'll pick up some Pedialyte and put a bowl of that in there too. Most of the threads and articles I've read say that it can heal with time. The waiting is hard, though. I'm very worried about her vision, but at least her energy level has improved. Not 100% but probably 80%, and that might just be because she can't see where she's going.
Thanks for everyone's help!
Rabs

Hi Rabs:
I haven't been able to find anything definitive about whether or not Squirrels have Nictitating Membranes yet either but I truly suspect they do and Nugget's photos show what appears classic for an extended Nictitating Membrane. Otherwise this is cloudiness of the the corneas themselves. There are many known and suspected causes of a cataract which is cloudiness of the lens which is inside the eye and obviously behind the cornea. Included in these possible causes for cataracts are certain nutritional deficiencies. What we are seeing in photos of Nugget is cloudiness of the corneas themselves, not the lens. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that permits light to enter the eye and then pass through the pupil, the lens and then reach the retina where it causes nerve transmission to the vision centers of the brain. This cloudiness is relatively uncommon. I would strongly suggest taking Nugget to a vet that is trustworthy as well as experienced with Squirrels (or at least rodents) as well as eye conditions. I don't believe it is legal to keep a Squirrel in Michigan so please be careful and ensure that the place you take Nugget will not confiscate your Squirrel or reports you to the Game Warden. It may be that an experienced Squirrel vet and/or an animal ophthalmologist (eye specialist) would be willing to view your excellent photos and render an opinion without having to transport Nugget. If so, you could use someone quite far from you who is qualified and you won't need to look locally which sounds like it is posing some difficulty. Also, while you are awaiting contact with a vet and while your are giving nutritional support (both of which I commend you for doing and I commend you also for your care and love for Nugget!) I would like to suggest that you also place a couple of drops of preservative free eye lubrication drops onto Nugget's eyes to help with possible dry eyes. This will not be harmful and may actually be beneficial! In addition, one way you might be able to check for an extended nictitating membrane is to apply those drops onto the eye and then saturate a Q-tip cotton applicator with the same drops and then gently touch it to the ear side of the eye to see if Nugget might retract the Nictitating Membrane if there is one. These membranes originate on the nose side of the eye and then sweep across the eye to the ear side of the eye.
Again, best regards to you and Nugget! Please let us know how things are going. Sorry for your frustration!
SamtheSquirrel

[Diggie's Friend]

Squirrels do have a 2nd eyelid.

[Diggie's Friend]

I see the question was for the 3rd membrane. This article explains that most mammals and rodents have a 3rd 'nictitating membrane;

yet in rodents this membrane is notably nonfunctional.

"The nictitating membrane in rodents is effectively nonfunctional"

This article also includes information on other ocular structures in rodents.

https://veteriankey.com/comparative-...atory-animals/

If anyone is interested in links to files on blindness vs. a condition that appears to be blindness; you can send me a request for the links by PM.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I see the question was for the 3rd membrane. This article explains that most mammals and rodents have a 3rd 'nictitating membrane;

yet in rodents this membrane is notably nonfunctional.



This article also includes information on other ocular structures in rodents.

https://veteriankey.com/comparative-...atory-animals/

If anyone is interested in links to files on blindness vs. a condition that appears to be blindness; you can send me a request for the links by PM.

Hello again Rabs:
I do hope you are able to find a vet and/or an animal ophthalmologist (eye specialist) who will at least look at your photos of Nugget as soon as possible especially if the cloudiness actually involves the corneas themselves. This should be addressed by someone with experience and knowledge in animal eye disorders. I know that you are working on this. Please let us know how things are progressing!
Regards to you and Nugget,
SamtheSquirrel

[Rabs]

You are all so kind and I really appreciate your advice. I have been contacting vets in a 150 mile radius but none will see wild animals. Not even the exotic pet vets. Your suggestion that I send the pics to a specialist is a great one!!! I will do that immediately! I have also contacted some other rehab resources by email, because most won't answer their phones, and usually have full voicemails.

Her general health is ok, but she is almost completely blind now. She has more energy than she did before adjusting her diet, and she has not had any nut treats for at least a couple of weeks. Poops are good, but she has also stopped using the litter box, at least sometimes, and actually peed in her food bowl this morning which is very unusual for her. I don't know why that would be. Her brother, who is crazy healthy, still wants to play rough, and she usually ends up on her back squeaking til he lets her up or I poke him! I tried separating them, but that upset her as much as it did him, and they both paced and complained until I took out the separator.

I will keep you all posted. It surprises me that it is so hard to get medical help for them. Thank goodness for people like you who can at least offer good advise.
Gratefully,
Rabs

[Rabs]

I just sent 10 emails out to Animal ophthalmologists explaining the situation and included the photos. I don't have high hopes after calling several others and being denied. Funny how all their web sites exclaim bout their love for animals and dedication to keeping beloved pets healthy, but they won't give my Nugget the time of day. At least the ones I called wouldn't. Well all it takes is one to respond positively, and I have my fingers crossed.
Say a prayer for my little girl please.
Off to buy the eye drops SamtheSquirrel2018 recommended.
Thanks,
Rabs

[Diggie's Friend]

I see you found a vet that said your squirrel is blind; very sorry to hear this. Rodents do well to adapt to blindness.

Just located my old post that contains science journals on blindness vs. various opacities in the cornea that do not cause blindness in rats. These journals are technical references (not for lay people); as such they may lend more support to veterinarians that may or not be up on the various forms of opacities in rodents. All the same, not saying here that the vet made in incorrect diagnosis.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...sis&highlight=