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

[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

[Rabs]

I have gotten responses from 8 of the ophthalmologists I contacted. This what basically what they all said:

"Thank you for reaching out to us for your pet's ophthalmic needs. I am sorry to hear you have been having such a difficult time obtaining care for these animals. Unfortunately under Michigan law, we are not able to make medical recommendations for animals we have not examined. I would recommend seeking the care of a veterinarian who is able to treat wildlife or exotics. I am not familiar with any in northern Michigan personally, but you may be able to get some direction by reaching out to a veterinarian in your area. "

Helpful? Not at all. Here is my reply to them:

"Thank you for replying,
I have called multiple rehabbers around the state, but none will actually help me. Although everyone has a lot of advice about what I SHOULD have done weeks ago, of course.
There are no vets anywhere near me that will see them, or even give me some simple tips or recommendations.
No specialists will see them without a referral, or give me simple tips or recommendations.
There is no one left to call. Even Michigan State Veterinary School wouldn't let me past the receptionist.
No one seems willing to help my little girl. So many people saying how dedicated they are to pet/animal health, but I guess some animals are more deserving than others. I understand that the laws do not help, but that doesn't make it any easier for me to sit here and watch her go blind, and maybe die.

Please say a prayer for my Nugget."

Feeling very sad and frustrated. I'm totally at a loss. Nothing left to do but cry and make her as comfortable as I can.
Please say a prayer for my Nugget.
Rabs


P.S. In case you were wondering - it is legal to have squirrels in Michigan, but you need to have a permit. I don't think that will make it any easier to get her medical care, though.

[Mel1959]

I have sent you a pm with a Michigan resource.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I have gotten responses from 8 of the ophthalmologists I contacted. This what basically what they all said:

"Thank you for reaching out to us for your pet's ophthalmic needs. I am sorry to hear you have been having such a difficult time obtaining care for these animals. Unfortunately under Michigan law, we are not able to make medical recommendations for animals we have not examined. I would recommend seeking the care of a veterinarian who is able to treat wildlife or exotics. I am not familiar with any in northern Michigan personally, but you may be able to get some direction by reaching out to a veterinarian in your area. "

Helpful? Not at all. Here is my reply to them:

"Thank you for replying,
I have called multiple rehabbers around the state, but none will actually help me. Although everyone has a lot of advice about what I SHOULD have done weeks ago, of course.
There are no vets anywhere near me that will see them, or even give me some simple tips or recommendations.
No specialists will see them without a referral, or give me simple tips or recommendations.
There is no one left to call. Even Michigan State Veterinary School wouldn't let me past the receptionist.
No one seems willing to help my little girl. So many people saying how dedicated they are to pet/animal health, but I guess some animals are more deserving than others. I understand that the laws do not help, but that doesn't make it any easier for me to sit here and watch her go blind, and maybe die.

Please say a prayer for my Nugget."

Feeling very sad and frustrated. I'm totally at a loss. Nothing left to do but cry and make her as comfortable as I can.
Please say a prayer for my Nugget.
Rabs


P.S. In case you were wondering - it is legal to have squirrels in Michigan, but you need to have a permit. I don't think that will make it any easier to get her medical care, though.

Hi Rabs:
I am so sorry about how things seem to be unfolding! I send a PM to you about this a few minutes ago.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mel1959]

Have you held this baby up to your ear like a phone and listened to its chest? Is there any clicking with each breath?

[Rabs]

Hi Mel, I have not heard that. I will listen periodically and see if anything develops. If it does, what might it mean?
Rabs

[Mel1959]

A persistent clicking from the chest with each breath is a sign of aspiration pneumonia. It must be treated with antibiotics in a timely manner. Other symptoms are, weakness, lethargy and loss of appetite.

[Rabs]

Good morning all,

Because of the kindness of some well connected forum members, I have finally gotten help for my little Nugget. While I haven't been able to actually take her to a vet, I have gotten some information.
Unfortunately it has been confirmed that she is blind and that there is a good chance that she will remain so.

Her general health seems ok now, although her fur is still a little dull. Her brother jumps on her a lot to play, and she is responding a bit better than she did a week ago. I don't think he understands. He is as healthy as a squirrel can be.

It seems that Nugget has found her forever home.

Thank you again to everyone who reached out to help my little girl. You are truly squirrelific!
Rabs

[Mel1959]

I’m sorry to hear that Nugget’s blindness is confirmed. . Continuing with good nutrition can only help and you never know…. Squirrels are magical healers.

I think genetic anomalies are rare, but they do occur. My released girl, May, had a litter of babies the end of 2019. When the babies got old enough to come down from the trees and eat the nuts we handed out we discovered that one of them was deaf. If we threw a nut near it and it didn’t see it she would not turn around indicating she heard it hit the pavement. This has not changed. We can always tell it’s her because of her unresponsiveness to sounds. May is a good mom and has allowed that baby to live with her in her nest box.

[island rehabber]

Bless you, Rabs, for your devotion to your little one -- and for giving her a forever home. Miracles may happen, but even if they don't this little squirrel will know love and safety.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Good morning all,

Because of the kindness of some well connected forum members, I have finally gotten help for my little Nugget. While I haven't been able to actually take her to a vet, I have gotten some information.
Unfortunately it has been confirmed that she is blind and that there is a good chance that she will remain so.

Her general health seems ok now, although her fur is still a little dull. Her brother jumps on her a lot to play, and she is responding a bit better than she did a week ago. I don't think he understands. He is as healthy as a squirrel can be.

It seems that Nugget has found her forever home.

Thank you again to everyone who reached out to help my little girl. You are truly squirrelific!
Rabs

I'm so sorry about Nugget's confirmed blindness, Rabs! On the other paw, I am so very happy about your decision and willingness to give this Little One her Forever Home!!! Squirrels are resilient and as Mel stated; they have been known to make surprising comebacks against all odds. I am not saying this to plant any false hopes and only said it because it's true. Time may tell. Also, Squirrels have other senses of course and just like people, these will become enhanced and help her compensate for lack of vision. Further, and most important and yes, even wonderful part of all this is that Nugget can be and will be very happy and content for the rest of her life and this is solely because of your love for her and the kindness and caring you bestow upon her Rabs! The very best to you and Nugget! Please stay in touch!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Rabs]

Bless you all. Your help and generosity has made all the difference in the world. Don't know what Nugget, Bean and I would do without you! I'm sure we will be speaking again. It's a LONG winter up here!
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=

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

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=

DF, I believe you are absolutely correct as far as what appears to going on with Nuggets eyes. There is an opacity (cloudiness) of both corneas. That is why I initially suggested the possibility of this being a nictitating membrane (but I did not know whether or not a Squirrel really had a nictitating membrane that could fully close) because corneal opacities themselves are relatively rare. What is seen in the photos of Nugget are not cataracts which is essentially an opacity of the lens, not the cornea. The cornea is the usually clear front part of the eye that lets light pass inward through the lens behind it to the retina which lines the inside surface of the eye and is responsible for actually sensing light. I did make the assumption that while Rabs did not yet take Nugget to a veterinarian; that she had been able to forward the photos of Nugget's eyes to a veterinarian who had rendered a professional opinion and that was that Nugget was blind and would remain so. That is one reason I so appreciate your post DF! It may not have been a veterinarian or animal eye specialist and hopefully this can and will take place expeditiously. Blindness, though is really a relative term. Most of us would of course say that if someone can't see, they are blind. Blindness is not being able to see effectively (or meet legal standards) but it is not necessary to have no functionality of the eye (no sight) for someone or a Squirrel, to be blind. In fact it is possible to have blindness with perfectly good eyes if the vision apparatus in the brain is damaged. With a significant corneal opacity there may still be enough light penetrating into the the retina for there to be light sensing but no detail or indistinct detail. This is also blindness from a functional standpoint. I think that all Rab's veterinarian (or whomever she finally was able to consult with) was saying was that Nugget was unable to see effectively because her corneas were cloudy and was she was effectively blind. This is not the same as establishing a cause for the opacities and then investigate whether or not there are any potential treatment. Hopefully, Rabs will finally be able to get Nugget actually examined by a veterinarian and/or an Animal Ophthalmologist (an eye specialist) for a definitive diagnosis and possible treatment options, if any.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel