Q. How Do You Cure Cataracts in a Blind Squirrel?

Posted by Mia Carter Nov 24, 2008

On November 23, 2008, I received the following question on my blog entry titled Is My Orphaned Squirrel Blind?: "Hi, I rescued a baby squirrel that had been hit by a car. He is fine now but he has cataracts in both eyes and is totally blind. You said in the above article that squirrel cataracts are treatable. How exactly? Our local vet has been helpful in curing his injuries but has not indicated that there are any options about curing the cataracts and as we are not supposed to keep squirrels here he is saying that we should now give him up to a shelter. Of course they would just euthanize him. If there are options available to us to cure the cataracts please let me know what they are. Do you know any vets who would perform cataract surgery on a squirrel?"

Cataract surgery is commonly performed on cats and dogs, though I must admit that I am not sure whether this option is widely available for exotics like squirrels. You will need to find a veterinarian who specializes in exotics or in veterinary opthamology.

An exotics veterinarian or veterinary opthamologist will be able to assess your squirrel's eyes and they should be able to tell you whether it will be possible to perform the procedure that will cure his condition. Unfortunately, while science has the knowledge to perform certain operations, some procedures are not routinely performed due to lack of demand. Squirrel cataract surgery may be one of these procedures.

About the Cataract Surgery Procedure

Cataract surgery is really the only option for restoring this squirrel's sight. Cataracts form when the eye's lense hardens and scars, resulting in clouding. This can occur as a result of injury, infection or it can be a hereditary condition.

In the cataract surgery operation, the surgeon will remove the scarred, damaged lenses of the eyes, and synthetic man-made lenses will be put in their place, thereby restoring sight.

Unfortunately, some medical procedures are not available for certain animals - they're just not routinely performed due to lack of demand. I fear that this may be one of those cases. While it's medically possible to perform a surgery that will cure a squirrel's cataracts, it may be very difficult to find a vet to take on the case simply because they have no experience treating squirrels for this particular condition. Though one up-side is that this is a case where there is little risk of causing more damage. In some cases, there's a danger of causing more harm than good with a surgical procedure. That will not be the case here - the worst case scenario involves a permanently blind squirrel, which is precisely where your squirrel is right now.

Finding a Vet to Perform Cataract Surgery on a Squirrel

So, if this was my squirrel, I would begin contacting veterinarians who specialize in exotics and veterinary opthamology. You will probably have to travel for this procedure, so that's something to consider here as well. I know Boston's Angell Memorial Animal Medical Center has an array of exotics and veterinary opthamology specialists on-staff - some of the best in the world. I know they also deal with squirrels and other rodents, as I've taken my animals there on several occasions. But there are other wonderful hospitals in other areas as well. It's just a matter of calling around and sending e-mails until you can find someone who will take on the case.

I would also do a bit of "Googling" to find an exotics veterinarian who specializes in treating squirrels. There may also be a few wildlife veterinarians who could be of assistance. Those may be other good avenues to pursue.

You will want to consider cost - this won't come cheap. I would expect to pay $2,000 to $3,000 for the procedure. This is largely due to the fact that you're dealing with an animal that's considered an exotic, which means a specialist will need to be involved and specialists come with a price tag. Dog and cat cataract surgeries are significantly less in terms of cost because the procedure is performed fairly regularly. Fortunately, this is a case where you can save up for the operation, as there isn't really a risk of the condition advancing if you fail to act quickly. He's blind now. In a year from now, he'll still be blind, so luckily, it's not a case where he'll be getting worse over time.

Other Considerations for a Squirrel With Cataracts

I would also keep in mind that your squirrel can continue to have a good quality of life, even without the surgery. It's likely that he will never be released into the wild, but he can live a fairly good life with you as a "pet." I say this in quotes because squirrels are wild animals and nature is always the ideal option, but a disabled squirrel can live very comfortably in captivity.

I'd consider getting the proper permitting required to keep him longterm. And if you do this, you could build him an outdoor enclosure so he can experience the outdoors in a safe way. You're right - he will almost certainly be euthanized if brought to a shelter. If you cannot keep him, I would contact an experienced wildlife rehabilitator. They can help you find a wildlife sanctuary where he can live long term.

I think many people view physical disability from the perspective of a human - and something like blindness is devastating to a human. But animals are different - they live in the moment. They adapt and make the best of the situation.And I say this as a caretaker of nearly two dozen disabled and handicapped animals, including a blind dog. Animals accept their situation and live in the moment. No self pity required.

Have a pet question? Send your questions to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.