Bacterial dermatitis under eyes?

[HollyWoozle]

I've posted before about our wonderful little companion loan pony and how he arrived with very sore patches under his eyes (bloody/cracked skin/crusty). He is 27 so knocking on but otherwise in excellent health. We managed to get the skin looking much better, primarily using filtabac and with use of a mask, but after a flare up a while ago the vet said the issue is bacterial dermatitis and prescribed Flamazine. Essentially his eyes are a bit runny with his age (he also has blue eyes but the eyes themselves are fine) and where the skin underneath gets damp, bacteria seems to take hold. I clean regularly with gauze and antimicrobial eye wash and then apply Flamazine if it looks like they are getting worse again.

These days the skin does get small sore patches occasionally, if he rubs them, but primarily it is just bald skin without damage. However the bald patches are rather large! I assume he just rubs the hair off or the routine we have just prevents hair from regrowing (or the skin is scarred). I just wondered if anyone had any experience with this sort of thing so as to solve it permanently?

 

[Zuzzie]

I'm no expert, but, I would be tempted to put some sort of mild barrier cream on the patches - like Vaseline?

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks @Zuzzie. That was suggested to me before vets had come out and I am wondering if that's why we had success with the filtabac before, although then it really flared up for some reason. I will check back on the topic I made previously as some posters had made some good barrier-type suggestions and I guess that is worth a go. Somehow it makes me nervous thinking we might trap bacteria but I suppose if I clean the area well beforehand then that shouldn't be the case?

 

[ester]

Is he pink skinned (given the blue eyes) the one I know that particularly suffered was noticeably worse if the weather was windy as her eyes would then weep more.

The trouble with using a barrier cream is that if you do then get an issue you'd need to take that off to get the flamazine to it. I'd wonder whether a silver+ aloe vera gel type product rather than a cream might work better for that (this is total pondering no experience!)

 

[HollyWoozle]

Is he pink skinned (given the blue eyes) the one I know that particularly suffered was noticeably worse if the weather was windy as her eyes would then weep more.

The trouble with using a barrier cream is that if you do then get an issue you'd need to take that off to get the flamazine to it. I'd wonder whether a silver+ aloe vera gel type product rather than a cream might work better for that (this is total pondering no experience!)

He does have some pink skin. I’ve tried to keep the mask most of the year as I feel like they protect a bit from wind too, but it is not easy when it has been so cold and wet and it has felt fairer to remove it, but maybe that’s a mistake ?

I like your idea though! I feel like there must be something. I guess we are keeping it at bay but I’d love to see him totally comfortable and with a full face of hair.

 

[ester]

Trouble is a damp mask might not be that helpful either! I suspect you are dealing with some probably skin scarring too which limits how good it will get. Most of that is further away from his eye than I thought it might be - I was worried about getting anything you put on then in his eye but that depends how much he rubs. He's lucky to have you , I love his ginger lipstick

 

[Gloi]

My friend's horse gets bald patches like that and gets the tear ducts flushed out once a year or so by the vet which really helps. The horse gets a mild sedative and doesn't seem to mind too much.

 

[shergar]

Watering eyes can be a symptom of cushings , worth having him tested if you have not already only other thing may be blocked tear ducts ,treating the skin helps but better to find the cause if possible . Love the oldies we also have a 27 year old .

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you all. He has not been tested for Cushings and I didn’t realise that was a symptom, will look into that.

I’d considered the tear duct issue and others had mentioned that too.. I confess I’m a bit nervous about that as our Shetland had a duct flushed once and he was never the same with vets and strangers afterwards, he really hated it. But if it would fix this long-term issue and make him more comfortable then it’s definitely something to look into. He is already nervous of the farrier though (who is brilliant with him and we get it done) and I am a bit apprehensive about doing things to worry him.

And thank you, @ester! We needed a companion for our mini because he has to be in a smaller, bare paddock and this little chap was offered to us on loan by a lady we bought another pony from (who we still have). Although he is a loan, we love him and hope she never wants him back ? I feel sorry for him being confined to boring paddock with a sassy little mini but he was stabled in previous homes and is always out now with great shelter and we try hard to look after him. I hope to get some more paddock enrichment things installed to make it nicer for them both once winter is over and if I can get the eyes sorted I’ll be chuffed!

 

[HollyWoozle]

Here he is wet from a summer bath and then a few days ago eating dinner out of the rain. He was a showing champ in his youth apparently (as a stallion) and then has taught a lot of children to ride. He is retired now of course and sometimes hides in the shelter if he sees my nieces, just in case ?

Aside from his sway back and some age-related stiffness, the eyes are his only health issue and I hope I can get them more comfy for him.

 

[Zuzzie]

Bless him! he looks a real sweetie.