Cloudy eyes

[SandyC]

Hi everyone, I have an 8 yr old Eastern grey that has cloudy eyes. Her right is worse than the left. Shes not in pain, there’s no white tears. No discharge. No redness or swelling. It came on suddenly. About two wks ago. In April she went to Fla to a specialist for odontoma but lucky it’s only the very beginning stage. She did however lose all of her molars. Her diet consists of Henry’s blocks, Henry’s multivitamin, butternut squash, blueberries(2) a lil piece of watermelon as a treat! I make her a walnut butter with her vitamins in it. She eats romaine, one grape tomato, avocado as a treat…. Her diet is good. My vet here can’t see her til the 17th. I’m calling a specialist tomoro not too far from us but I’m freaking until then 😩

[Charley Chuckles]

From the picture I don't see cloudy.
I hope she improves.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hello SandyC and thanks for finding The Squirrel Board!
What is the name of your Squirrel?
Would you please clarify what you mean when you say that your Squirrel lost all of her molars. Were these surgically extracted by the Vet or did they fall out or what? Was your Squirrel seen by Dr Emerson in Port Orange or someone else as if someone else, who was the Vet (if you don't mind sharing this)? Have you notified the Vet about the "cloudy eyes?" Was your Squirrel on antibiotics since the visit to the Vet in April and if so, what antibiotics? Was your Squirrel diagnosed with an infection? Has the been any evidence of a dental infection (or other head associated infection) or head or dental injury that preceded the eye cloudiness?

I cannot tell you with certainty what is causing the cloudy eyes but this is ALWAYS a great concern. Ideally, your Squirrel should be seen by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist (an animal eye specialist) ASAP but this is usually far easier for me to recommend than for someone to actually have this come about. These specialist are not everywhere and many will not see wildlife.

The pictures are not very revealing and if you and your Squirrel as so inclined; more detailed photos may be helpful! Is the entire cornea (the clear part of the eye) now cloudy or does it seem as if the cloudiness is behind the cornea and you can see it through the pupil (the round black area seen behind the central region of cornea but is really an opening in the center of the iris)? In my Non-Veterinarian opinion, I suspect the possibility of a condition called uveitis which is an inflammatory change that occurs in certain parts of the eye that can result in cloudiness of the cornea (the clear part of the eye). It has many causes including nearby infection! There are potential treatments but Veterinary evaluation and specialized care would be highly recommended. Also, it there is a dental infection or other type of infection causing this, it will also need to be evaluated and treated!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SandyC]

Hello SandyC and thanks for finding The Squirrel Board!
What is the name of your Squirrel?
Would you please clarify what you mean when you say that your Squirrel lost all of her molars. Were these surgically extracted by the Vet or did they fall out or what? Was your Squirrel seen by Dr Emerson in Port Orange or someone else as if someone else, who was the Vet (if you don't mind sharing this)? Have you notified the Vet about the "cloudy eyes?" Was your Squirrel on antibiotics since the visit to the Vet in April and if so, what antibiotics? Was your Squirrel diagnosed with an infection? Has the been any evidence of a dental infection (or other head associated infection) or head or dental injury that preceded the eye cloudiness?

I cannot tell you with certainty what is causing the cloudy eyes but this is ALWAYS a great concern. Ideally, your Squirrel should be seen by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist (an animal eye specialist) ASAP but this is usually far easier for me to recommend than for someone to actually have this come about. These specialist are not everywhere and many will not see wildlife.

The pictures are not very revealing and if you and your Squirrel as so inclined; more detailed photos may be helpful! Is the entire cornea (the clear part of the eye) now cloudy or does it seem as if the cloudiness is behind the cornea and you can see it through the pupil (the round black area seen behind the central region of cornea but is really an opening in the center of the iris)? In my Non-Veterinarian opinion, I suspect the possibility of a condition called uveitis which is an inflammatory change that occurs in certain parts of the eye that can result in cloudiness of the cornea (the clear part of the eye). It has many causes including nearby infection! There are potential treatments but Veterinary evaluation and specialized care would be highly recommended. Also, it there is a dental infection or other type of infection causing this, it will also need to be evaluated and treated!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

Thank you for responding! Yes, she saw Dr E and the teeth were pulled but not surgically operated on. She said they were that loose 😭I did not have to follow up with her. I have called twice to make sure. I’m getting the xraysdone by my vet anyway just to be safe. I know it’s way different for animals vs humans but I was an ophthalmology tech and uveitis is super painful. You become very light sensitive as well. She has zero symptoms other than the cloud which could be white blood cells fighting off whatever it is, like you said an infection. Behind her cornea to answer your one question. I have a tech friend that works at one of the sister offices of mount laurel ophthalmology.Hopefully I can get her in tomorrow. She sees my vet on the 17th for X-rays and they’ll be sent to Dr E. I can’t thank you enough for responding!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Thank you for responding! Yes, she saw Dr E and the teeth were pulled but not surgically operated on. She said they were that loose ��I did not have to follow up with her. I have called twice to make sure. I’m getting the xraysdone by my vet anyway just to be safe. I know it’s way different for animals vs humans but I was an ophthalmology tech and uveitis is super painful. You become very light sensitive as well. She has zero symptoms other than the cloud which could be white blood cells fighting off whatever it is, like you said an infection. Behind her cornea to answer your one question. I have a tech friend that works at one of the sister offices of mount laurel ophthalmology.Hopefully I can get her in tomorrow. She sees my vet on the 17th for X-rays and they’ll be sent to Dr E. I can’t thank you enough for responding!

Thanks! I am not a Veterinarian and with that, I am definitely not a Veterinary Ophthalmologist BUT I have had several rodents with uveitis and this was associated with dental/oral infections although this may only have been an association and not the cause. Only anterior uveitis is classically painful and with that condition; the eyes appear red and often, at least when seen initially by a non-specialist; this is often initially misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis! BUT uveitis can also be posterior or intermediate and neither of these variants are particularly painful and their presentations is usually more subtle but potentially far more serious than anterior uveitis.

Well so much for that. I don't want to appear argumentative or inflexible or anything other than someone willing to help as best I can! Afterall, the purpose of TSB is to provide a safe forum for those who request help when in need to receive it and for those willingly offer help, to provide; while ensuring everyone feels safe, supported, non-threatened and comfortable while here!

IF the cloudiness is behind the cornea, are you then seeing the cloudiness in "back" of the pupil? A common cause for cloudiness behind the pupil is a cataract (a cloudiness involving the lens) but this is usually slow to develop and it would be very unusual to suddenly just show up fully developed and coincidentally involve both eyes as well, in this extremely short time frame!

Have you notified Dr. E about the cloudy eyes? Do you have any antibiotics available?

Did I read your post correctly and that your Squirrel may be able to be seen by an ophthalmologist tomorrow?!?! If so, that would be tremendous! Please keep on with the updates and please let us know your Squirrel's name!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SandyC]

Thanks! I am not a Veterinarian and with that, I am definitely not a Veterinary Ophthalmologist BUT I have had several rodents with uveitis and this was associated with dental/oral infections although this may only have been an association and not the cause. Only anterior uveitis is classically painful and with that condition; the eyes appear red and often, at least when seen initially by a non-specialist; this is often initially misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis! BUT uveitis can also be posterior or intermediate and neither of these variants are particularly painful and their presentations is usually more subtle but potentially far more serious than anterior uveitis.

Well so much for that. I don't want to appear argumentative or inflexible or anything other than someone willing to help as best I can! Afterall, the purpose of TSB is to provide a safe forum for those who request help when in need to receive it and for those willingly offer help, to provide; while ensuring everyone feels safe, supported, non-threatened and comfortable while here!

IF the cloudiness is behind the cornea, are you then seeing the cloudiness in "back" of the pupil? A common cause for cloudiness behind the pupil is a cataract (a cloudiness involving the lens) but this is usually slow to develop and it would be very unusual to suddenly just show up fully developed and coincidentally involve both eyes as well, in this extremely short time frame!

Have you notified Dr. E about the cloudy eyes? Do you have any antibiotics available?

Did I read your post correctly and that your Squirrel may be able to be seen by an ophthalmologist tomorrow?!?! If so, that would be tremendous! Please keep on with the updates and please let us know your Squirrel's name!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

Vet or not, you know your ****! I can’t thank you enough!! I thought cataract but it progressed so rapidly. Is that normal in your experience? I’m glad she’s not in pain if it is uveitis. Her name is Nyka (Neekuh) 😊

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Vet or not, you know your ****! I can’t thank you enough!! I thought cataract but it progressed so rapidly. Is that normal in your experience? I’m glad she’s not in pain if it is uveitis. Her name is Nyka (Neekuh) 😊

Thanks! Please keep us updated on Nyka!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SandyC]

Thanks! Please keep us updated on Nyka!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

Ok, I called everywhere and they won’t see her bc I don’t have a permit. I called my vet and she’s gonna come go to office this Fri instead of next to take a look. I wish she specialized in squirrels. Shes the best and is so kind and great with our other fur babies. Thank you again! It means a lot!

[Charley Chuckles]

🙏

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Ok, I called everywhere and they won’t see her bc I don’t have a permit. I called my vet and she’s gonna come go to office this Fri instead of next to take a look. I wish she specialized in squirrels. Shes the best and is so kind and great with our other fur babies. Thank you again! It means a lot!

That's good news! I have been at work with very little time and I just had this quick moment to post on your thread. Please let us know how Nyka is doing and how the visit with your kind and considerate Veterinarian went!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi SandyC:
How is Nyka doing?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel