foal with conjunctivitis? Help?!

EquestrianFairy

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i've just come up now and baby has green gunk in the corner of her eye (like a conjunctivitis type) no nasal discharge and seems alert and feeding... Should i call the vet or am i over reacting?
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JadeWisc

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If it were my foal I would not have the vet out for something so small. It could be conjunctivitis or an allergy like my mini would always get to certain hay.I would call the vet though and explain symptoms and have them get ready some gel/ointment for you to come and pick up as it does sound like treatment would be a good idea.

I have a vet who is happy to do call in prescriptions though for simple matters

Eye is not cloudy right?
 

scotsmare

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It sounds like a touch of conjunctivitis, foalie probably needs some eye cream - you could get some golden eye ointment for over the weekend but you will probably need to phone vet on monday for some stronger stuff - particularly if it gets worse. She'll be fine though - don't worry!
 

Gucci_b

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Sounds like conjunctivitis, and your vet will prob want to have a look before giving you any thing. The cream you need is called Chloramphenicol eye ointment.
conjunctivitis (this time of year) is carried by the fly's and if one of your horse's have it, i bet there will be more?? this is very common. may be think of getting some fly masks!! can only help
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EquestrianFairy

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Mum has a fly mask but your right about the flies, they stick to mum like glue so i suppose its only normal for them to visit baby!

Thanks everyone.. i dont half worry!

I'll monitor it and ring vet monday.. whats the golden eye stuff?
 

Box_Of_Frogs

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EF - sorry to get on my soapbox again but eye probs - especially in such a young foal - should never be taken lightly. If there's gunge that smears across the cornea then it's 99% certain it's conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an infection. The $64,000 question is why? What is causing it? Could be something has scratched the eye. Could be a foreign body still in the eye. Could be a bacterial or viral or fungal infection. Could be the start of a problem with blocked tear ducts. Could be low level tear production. Any or all of this could eventually affect the cornea itself which would start to show as cloudy/milky patches as JadeWisc says and that certainly ain't good news. It could clear in a day or two or it might need help. Chronic conjunctivitis can turn into much more sinister problems if left untreated (my ned lost an eye to this). I'd always go for a firm diagnosis and POM off the vet rather than across the counter medication that won't necessarily help. Good luck x
 

Angela_Jackson

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We had a lovely horse at the riding school I worked at that had what was thought to be just conjunctivitis (yes it was regularily washed out with water in the mean time), unfortunately it was left too long without vet treatment and when the vet did come and tried to treat it it was too late, the horse ended up loosing its eye.
Since then I will always consult a vet regards just conjunctivitis!
 

EquestrianFairy

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Shes got it in both eyes, and yes the gunk is def smearing across her cornea- it wasnt like it this morning although by this evening it was apparent. (yesterday i mean)
 

hendrabonnie

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Get some golden eye ointment from chemist its about £3 a tube. That is what i use when mine get conjuctivitis (sp!) Dont use the tube to put it in though just incase the foal moves
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put it on a clean finger its much safer. Might be worth getting a fly mask or good fly repellant gel for that area.

If there is no change by monday though i would call the vet out.
Keep us posted.
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