Eyes watering on older horses

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Vodkagirly

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I've noticed that my 23yo is getting more watery eyes. Initially I thought it was due to wind but it's like that in any weather. No issues with flies. Last night I noticed the other oldies all have more discharge than the younger ones, is there a reason for this?
 
My old Shetland pony has messy eyes all the time. They get a bit gungy but its mainly sleep. I have to clean them daily. I asked the vet about it and she said it's his age as there is no infection or ulcers. He does have Cushing's and she said that doesn't help but my other Cushing's pony doesn't suffer.
 
Vodkagirly said:
I've noticed that my 23yo is getting more watery eyes. Initially I thought it was due to wind but it's like that in any weather. No issues with flies. Last night I noticed the other oldies all have more discharge than the younger ones, is there a reason for this?
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Get the vet to view, you cannot take risk with eyes
 
My old arab gets this from time to time, I just bathe them with warm water, which does clear it up after a couple of days. I think it must be problems with the tear ducts, she mainly gets it in colder weather.
 
We have one that needs her tear ducts flushed every year but is fine for the summer once they are done. I've noticed that my old pony who has sweet itch has had much less runny eyes since I've been giving him antihistamines for the sweet itch, though that may just be because he is not rubbing them as much.
 
Gloi said:
We have one that needs her tear ducts flushed every year but is fine for the summer once they are done. I've noticed that my old pony who has sweet itch has had much less runny eyes since I've been giving him antihistamines for the sweet itch, though that may just be because he is not rubbing them as much.
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Antihistamines lower the production of mucins, which are the problematic component of mucus when there is too much, as they make it sticky. Perhaps that's one way to deal with gunky eyes! Wish I'd known that when I had my shettie, but I've only been in respiratory disease for 4 years (mucins are produced in all types of epithelium, including tear ducts, but I came across them in my PhD, which is in the lung).
 
Fransurrey said:
Antihistamines lower the production of mucins, which are the problematic component of mucus when there is too much, as they make it sticky. Perhaps that's one way to deal with gunky eyes! Wish I'd known that when I had my shettie, but I've only been in respiratory disease for 4 years (mucins are produced in all types of epithelium, including tear ducts, but I came across them in my PhD, which is in the lung).
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That's interesting. I may start taking them more regularly myself too then.
 
Fransurrey said:
Antihistamines lower the production of mucins, which are the problematic component of mucus when there is too much, as they make it sticky. Perhaps that's one way to deal with gunky eyes! Wish I'd known that when I had my shettie, but I've only been in respiratory disease for 4 years (mucins are produced in all types of epithelium, including tear ducts, but I came across them in my PhD, which is in the lung).
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I will trial this on my old boy. Can you give any idea how many piriton I should give a small Shetland?
 
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