White eye

[Citysquirrel]

Hey everyone,

I'm writing about my rescue that is about 12weeks old. I rescue her at about 6 weeks old and she had some head trauma. Health wise she's progressed well, she weights 390 grams now, is still on about 18ml of formula 3 x a day and eats pretty well. Aside from her little quirks like spacing out, being a bit clumsy, and has pretty much become a nocturnal partier, her eyes keep tripping us up. They were fine at first, then got cloudy, then one hemorrhaged, then they cleared up, then got foggy again and boom out of no where, Wednesday we had a white eye. The next day it looked better and today it's even more white. I'm having a very hard time with vets and my heart is sinking with what I can do for her. Is there any medication you might be able to recommend for her?
I am including a picture of both her right and left eyes.
Thank you🐿️♥️

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hey everyone,

I'm writing about my rescue that is about 12weeks old. I rescue her at about 6 weeks old and she had some head trauma. Health wise she's progressed well, she weights 390 grams now, is still on about 18ml of formula 3 x a day and eats pretty well. Aside from her little quirks like spacing out, being a bit clumsy, and has pretty much become a nocturnal partier, her eyes keep tripping us up. They were fine at first, then got cloudy, then one hemorrhaged, then they cleared up, then got foggy again and boom out of no where, Wednesday we had a white eye. The next day it looked better and today it's even more white. I'm having a very hard time with vets and my heart is sinking with what I can do for her. Is there any medication you might be able to recommend for her?
I am including a picture of both her right and left eyes.
Thank you��️♥️

Hi CitySquirrel:
Welcome to The Squirrel Board and thank you for your concern and love for this baby Squirrel! I'm sorry that I missed your original thread about this little one being up at night and possibly having vision issues! What is your Squirrel's name? Do you have a Veterinarian for your Squirrel? Are you willing and able to keep this Squirrel in the very likely event that she is Non-releasable?

Please verify whether or not both eyes are involved in the color changes. Also, were there "hemorrhages" in both eyes or just one (which one?) and was the bleeding external or did it appear to be inside the eye? Do you have any photos of the hemorrhage(s)?

Ideally, any eye problem but especially those likely to be serious or likely to compromise sight or comfort should be seen ASAP by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist! This is a Veterinarian with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of animal eye conditions and diseases. I know it may seem impossible for your Squirrel to be seen by a Squirrel Friendly Veterinarian so probably there is even less likelihood of her being seen by a Veterinary Eye Specialist but this course is the very best way to deal with eye conditions! Please check in your area for at least a Squirrel Friendly Veterinarian who will not confiscate or euthanize your Squirrel (yes, this does happen!) and has experience with Squirrels or at least rodent pets!

I feel it is necessary to inform you that I am not an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) or a Veterinarian but from what you have described, I suspect (especially assuming that this condition was associated with the head trauma) that your baby has sustained what is called a Luxation of the Lens. This is where the lens of the eye has become dislodged and it can be dislodged posteriorly (toward the back of the eye) or anteriorly (toward the front of the eye). IF this is what is going on and IF the lens is dislodged anteriorly, it can cause an increase in the pressure inside the eye (a type of glaucoma) because it's position anteriorly can block drainage of fluid made inside the front part of the eye and cause very significant pain and blindness. A posterior luxation will definitely affect vision but is painless. There are some glaucoma medications that have been used in rodents with glaucoma such as pilocarpine that can help decrease pain if glaucoma develops. Other more likely to have available medications that may also help with pain if glaucoma develops but are NOT treatments for the glaucoma are infant ibuprofen, meloxicam (metacam for veterinary use) or carprofen (this is often given to dogs and is a veterinary medication and this may be available to you).

Another possibility is that your Squirrel has developed what is called an Anterior Uveitis which can result from a number of causes including blunt trauma which is where the eye is actually hit or struck by an object being struck during a fall or whatever. This is an inflammation of the components of the front part of the eye. Decreasing pressure inside the eye can help as well as using Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) applied to the eye itself. Systemic steroids may also help BUT systemic NSAIDs and systemic Steroids should NEVER be used together!!

If the "hemorrhage" was surrounding the clear part of the eye (the cornea) but did not cross over the cornea, it most likely was a Subconjunctival Hematoma which is bleeding under the thin covering of the eyeball called the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva ends at the outer margin of the cornea and that is why the bleeding of a subconjunctival hematoma (or hemorrhage) does not extend over the cornea. Often a Subconjunctival Hematoma is a result of blunt trauma a sudden increase in the pressure in veins of the conjunctiva which can result from head trauma or a fall. Again, I don't know how the "hemorrhage" actually appears and photos if any, may help make a diagnosis definitive.

I wish you could somehow get your Squirrel seen by a Veterinary Eye Specialist or at least a Veterinarian ASAP! Sometimes Exotic Animal Veterinarians will see Squirrels and are familiar with some eye conditions. The ideal and optimal means to have your Squirrel's eyes evaluated would, of course, be from a Veterinary Ophthalmologist! Other Squirrel Board Members may have some suggestions for you as to Specialist and/or Veterinarians in your area!

IF there is no possibility of getting your Squirrel evaluated by a Veterinary Eye Specialist; is any other possibility for getting your Squirrel to be seen by an experienced and "Squirrel friendly" Veterinarian (even if not an eye specialist)? Having your Squirrel seen by a professional would be the very best approach and should be accomplished ASAP!

Thank you again for your caring for this Little One! Please provide updates and post any further questions or concerns you might have!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Citysquirrel]

I want to thank you for this immense response you gave me. I read it last night and had to sit with everything I read because I wanted to answer as best as I can.

Edie (pronounced Ee-dee) named after my late friend Eddie who passed away last month from ALS. I got a call the day after about this little baby girl squirrel that could move her limbs but nothing was broken and so my heart just offered to take her in before my mind and mouth did. (I became a licensed rehabilitator earlier this year so I am really very new to all of this) I have only rescued, rehabbed and released and this is my first injured baby. Since, Edie has come to stay with me I managed to get her to see one vet who as a kindess, offered. He told me she suffered neurological damage and that the right eye has damage to the cornea and the left had burst a blood vessel. He couldn't tell if the damage was permanent and gave me Gentocin Durafilm drops and told me to put one drop in her eye three times a day. She was also on Metacam once a day. Within a few days her eyes looked better then one starte to cloud up. I went to follow up with the vet a few days later and when i went to make the appt he said he wouldn't see her because it wasn't his field and told me to find a specialist. I was also told that Gentocin wasn't good for her by fellow rehabber and Wild Bird Fund via message and I stopped. I am concerned with having her taken from me and euthanized. I don't think I can keep her long term so if she truly is non releasable I would really appreciate help to find her a good home. I do not mind keeping her til she is weened or longer as long as I can find a place for her.

Back to the injury though, she came to earlier in Sept. I did post videos of her on here and connected with two rehabbbers, who helped me with getting her on Metacam to start. However, both are extremely busy and I feel like time was wasting in waiting for responses. So I started looking for other vets and literally every call I made was a no. So no, I have no been able to find a vet and the one place I know would see her, I am afraid they will take her from me and I may not see her again. I do not want either of us to go through that.

I do know about NSAIDs and steroids together being a no-no. I have recently been recommended Muro 128 by a fellow rehabber and saw Edie perk up on day one but a day later is when the other eye that did not receive the ointment turned white. I have been going through the eye stuff with her since a few days after she came to me. A week after the fall is when I noticed one eye turn cloudy, then soon after the other had a red spot inside the eye. I can post pics. After the Gentocin the red eye cleared up and the cloudy one did too but not fully. Then the cloudiness came back, and its been on and off for the last 5 weeks until this new super white eye this week. Aside from the stress of her eyes, she is also nocturnal, like full fledged party animal from 12am-6,7,8,9 am everyday it changes. She is still on formula but lacks gusto when she drinks. I am also having a hard time with Henry's blocks and am trying to give her greeens and tree branches, anything for her to eat. She weighed 382 grams this morning. I just feel overwhelmed and alone in trying to help her. I didn't think it would be this hard.

I will attach some photos in a separate post so i can show you the time line of her eyes.

Thank you so much for the detailed information and for trying to explain everything to me. I just wish I could get her seen and properly medicated already.

[Citysquirrel]

These were taken between weeks 6-9 and you could see the eye looks a little cloudy, then the let eye had that bright red spot on the bottom and ever since then we've been alternating cloudy side.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi CitySquirrel:
Thanks for your reply! I am more convinced than before that the best course of action is for Edie to be evaluated by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. I know you are in Queens and I did find some ophthalmologists there and in New York City. I am not familiar with NYC and have no idea as to logistics of getting around there especially with a Squirrel! We do have some members in the NYC area and hopefully they may have some suggestions as to finding a Veterinary Ophthalmologist or even a Squirrel Friendly Vet!

Also, hopefully some of our members may have some suggestions for you in finding a "Forever Home" for Edie!

I just want to mention once again, that I am not a Veterinarian or an ophthalmologist! I suspect, though this is strictly my own non-professional opinion; that Edie has sustained a traumatic Uveitis especially in light of the the fact that the cloudiness and color changes of the eye seem to resolve or at least improve when using the Gentocin Durafilm. The medication has two components; an antibiotic called gentamycin and a corticosteroid called dexamethasone. Again, my opinion only, but I don't believe that there is an infection present so I do not believe the gentamycin is playing much if any part in the improvement you noticed but I do believe that if there is significant inflammation as would be the case with uveitis, one of the mainstays of treatment is the use of steroids!

The Muro 128 is neither an antibiotic nor a steroid. It is simply Sodium Chloride (a salt solution) and it comes in two strengths, 2% and 5%. This medication is used to help treat corneal edema which is swelling of the clear part of the eye. The 5% is what is called hypertonic and can be quite uncomfortable when applied to the eye.

Again, if this was "wish world;" I would wish for Edie being seen by an ophthalmologist! Hopefully other can help with suggestions! I will also forward your thread to some others here on TSB for their opinions.

Please keep us updated on Little Edie!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Citysquirrel]

I'll take any and every recommendation at this point I feel like I'm grasping at straws. I do also have Terramycin ointment at home as well. I don't know if that will help, but I have it. Do you think maybe I should go back to the Gentocin? This is ofcourse is in case I can't get her to someone. I'll include a few more pics of her eyes since the last pics in the other post.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hello CitySquirrel:
I sent a PM to you moments ago!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Citysquirrel]

Thank you so much Sam! I replied back. Here are a few more images if for anything, then at least more reference for anyone coming across the page. These photos are starting from the beginning of Oct right about the time she got the Gentocin drops and the weeks that followed up until a. Few days ago.

[Citysquirrel]

Hi everyone again,

Just updating since I couldn't add photos in a private message. Last week I tried Muro, not sure it did much. A vet let me buy Oculenis which a few other rehabbers suggested I try and I have been giving it to Edie for three days so far. No significant changes as far as I can tell. I will attach Photos from a few days ago when I started Oculenis on Monday.

[Citysquirrel]

Here are Edie's eye today. That's not a dent in her eyes it's just the reflection of my window. So it seems a tiny bit clearer but over all, she still sleeps all day and is up allllllllll night running around.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Here are Edie's eye today. That's not a dent in her eyes it's just the reflection of my window. So it seems a tiny bit clearer but over all, she still sleeps all day and is up allllllllll night running around.

Hi CitySquirel:
I did get your PM's but I am going to save some time by posting my comments here to maybe keep all of the general responses, opinions and suggestions in one place for consisteny ant to help keep everyone up to date. Also, I needed to go out of town unexpectedly on a bit of an "urgency" so I will have limited time (or possibly none) on TSB for the next couple of days.

Thanks for uploading the photos! It's difficult to discern details because with magnification, the details become pixilated. You implied the possibility of the head injury causing the flare-ups of activity at night but a thought is that if Edie "room" kept dark at night and light during the day, her activity reversal may be due to excessive light sensitivity of her eyes secondary to her ocular condition(s)! She may simply feel more comfortable at night! Just a thought!

The Vet visit scheduled for tomorrow is very encouraging and I hope that possibility of Edie being seen by an ophthalmologist come to fruition expeditiously! Please let us know how things went with the Vet. One of the things that you might consider doing is printing Edie's thread for the Vet as this comprises in a very real sense, Edie's most recent and pertinent medical history that finally led to her being seen by the Vet!

As far as your questions about sedation; IMO, that would be a very good idea especially is the sedating medications also has some "tranquilizing" effects. My suggestion would be Gabapentin. It has an extensive use history with Squirrels and rodents in general and it is generally quite safe as well as being efficacious. It can also help with pain relief! Do you have this or another sedating medication available? If so, please post the medication, the strength (usually in milligrams) and Edie's current weight preferably in Grams and one of the Admins will need to first of all evaluate the situation and the proposed medication and personally decide whether or not this particular treatment is acceptable them and if ok, the Admin will send a PM to you with the mixing and dosing instructions.

My thoughts and hopes are with you and for you little Edie!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Citysquirrel]

This forum is such a blessing! Thank you so much for responding again Sam!

Ok so we got to see a vet! She walked into the room with her own rehab baby squirrel in her arms to show me and I almost cried. This has been such a frustrating and stressful experience and to finally find someone to help me is such a relief.
Ok so the left eye appears ok and pressure seemed fine, but the right eye has glaucoma. Pressure was 40something, I honestly can't remember. It could be from Uveitis or the trauma. She does think the nocturnal behavior is because of this especially if she has lost some vision. The meds are prescribed are Dorzolamide HCI Opthamolic solution 2% and Neomycin and Polymyxin B sulfates and Dexamethasone opthamolic suspension. She said to put one drop in the right eye per day. I can continue the Oculenis in the left just to sooth it and support it as there is no interaction. She said she will treat it this way for now until she hears back from the Opthamologist she contacted regarding Edie's case and will let me know when she does. She did remind me not to give Metacam as the drops are steroids. It's been a long morning. Lol We go back in a week for follow up visit to see if it's working. I still appreciate all thoughts and suggestions you may have.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

This forum is such a blessing! Thank you so much for responding again Sam!

Ok so we got to see a vet! She walked into the room with her own rehab baby squirrel in her arms to show me and I almost cried. This has been such a frustrating and stressful experience and to finally find someone to help me is such a relief.
Ok so the left eye appears ok and pressure seemed fine, but the right eye has glaucoma. Pressure was 40something, I honestly can't remember. It could be from Uveitis or the trauma. She does think the nocturnal behavior is because of this especially if she has lost some vision. The meds are prescribed are Dorzolamide HCI Opthamolic solution 2% and Neomycin and Polymyxin B sulfates and Dexamethasone opthamolic suspension. She said to put one drop in the right eye per day. I can continue the Oculenis in the left just to sooth it and support it as there is no interaction. She said she will treat it this way for now until she hears back from the Opthamologist she contacted regarding Edie's case and will let me know when she does. She did remind me not to give Metacam as the drops are steroids. It's been a long morning. Lol We go back in a week for follow up visit to see if it's working. I still appreciate all thoughts and suggestions you may have.

Hi CitySquirrel:
I have just returned from my unexpected trip out of town (and unfortunately away from TSB) and saw your post. The facts that you were able to not just get Edie seen by a Veterinarian but have the Vet familiar with Squirrels, ocular conditions and diseases and also be able to perform what appears to be a very thorough eye examination which included tonometry is truly miraculous! As I mentioned in one of my PM's to you, one of the most likely diagnoses I had suspected was Uveitis probably secondary to the original trauma and as I mentioned, a concern is that uveitis or the other particular diagnosis I had also been concerned about, that being a possible anterior luxation of the lens can both cause glaucoma which is increased pressure withing the anterior portion of the eye and this must be diagnosed in turn by using a tonometer to measure the pressure within the eyes. Who would have dreamed that your Vet had this tool available and knew how to use it! I am amazed and beyond happy about this and now little Edie is on some very appropriate medications to decrease the pressure in her eye and also, if this is indeed uveitis which I still suspect it is, the steroids are a first-line drug for treating this as well. Also, icing on the cake, is the fact that your Vet knows a veterinary ophthalmologist and is obtaining a consult from this specialist in behalf of Edie! This is all so wonderful! How is Edie doing after starting the medication?
Regards,
SamtheSquirel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi CitySquirrel:
How is Edie doing?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Citysquirrel]

So sorry for wrapped up on squirrel glaucoma and holidays and general bustle of November. Thank you so much for checking in! So Edie now weighs a pound! 463g as of yesterday and I'm thrilled she made it physically to this point. She still hold her front claws a little funny sometimes, and when she climbs some of the branches I've brought home for her I notice if she flips upside down it's almost like one of her arms spasms and she lets go with that arm. She does love to climb the low to the ground branches we have. Her eating has gotten pickier, she doesn't care much for Henry's blocks even though I offer them every day. I got her Mazuri blocks, doesn't care for them either. I dump mountains of greens and fruits and acorns and bark in hopes she'll get the nutrition she needs since she's weaned from formula last week. I kept trying to offer her formula but she started fighting me on it. She still has moments of running in circles, sometimes there a few feet in diameter and then they get tighter. There are also moments when she stops and her head drifts to the right and she looks spaced out, then comes back to it. I'm not sure if that's considered a seizure or just left over side effects of the head trauma. She is still a late partier, but not an all nighter as before. Now it starts around 9pm and she runs around til around 1am sometimes later if I fall asleep on her and I'll wake up and put her in her cage where she starts chewing on all the trays and eventually gives up and goes to sleep. She has no issues drinking water from the water bottle. I still give her both drops twice a day but her left eye is still milky and the right is clear but both seem larger than they should be. I'd like to think the drops help but things fee kind of the same, unless of course it is something I can't see like pain she might of had prior to using them. I haven't followed up with the Opthamologist yet, in fact I was going to reach out this week to see what she thought would be best to do. Edie is a chill squirrel so it seems, I do think she loves me best at home, even though lately my feet and legs seem to rub her the wrong way lol

[Citysquirrel]

Here are some recent pics of Edie.