Foal Wrestling. Any tips?

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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Mouse has somehow scratched her eye & I need to administer some eye drops.
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Now, when I first noticed it she stood as good as gold whilst I flushed the eye with saline. And again the next morning. However, by the time the vet came out she was well and truly sick of being messed with & we had to sedate her to get the dye in properly
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So now, I have to put eye drops in every day. It is taking about 30 minutes each time. Starts off with the softly softly approach but quickly degenerates into what I can only describe as wrestling!

Anyone got any good tips or do I have to just persevere?

(She isn't aggressive at all - just very wriggly....
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Oh no! I had to do drops twice a day with K for 2 weeks, so sympathise!

I did it whilst I was feeding him to help keep his head low. The trick is to keep your hand on the face (anywhere to begin with) whilst they are moving away etc and as soon as they stand still take it away. She'll soon learn that moving around doesn't get rid of you. Then build that up to opening the eye. Did the vet show you how to peel the lid back easily?

IN the end I was doing it iwithn about 2 mins of starting; but just don't rush it at first...... and keep calm
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I had to put ointment in Holz eye earlier this year.

I put gloves on, then the ointment on my finger tip, peeled back the eyelid and put it on the eyeball. Don't know if that will work with drops, but is it worth asking if you can have an ointment? I was given Maxitrol Ointment
 
lol - Thanks both. CM - it is an ointment and I've used them plenty of times but I cannot get her to keep her head still!
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So can't get anywhere near the eyelid!

Clair - This is where I'm at so far - but she just wriggles - she knows I'm coming for the eye!
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I am getting a weeny bit in - but more is on me!
will keep trying though
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Another suggestion: if you have time of course, go to her and attempt to hold her head, scratch her, pet her, but don't confine her, and then let her go ... at random times without the eye ointment. This way she doesn't associate your coming with the treatment and may be more inclined to stand still long enough for you to (quickly) do the deed!!
 
Thanks Colour fan. Think this is the way forward - she's such a nice character & very people oriented so I don't want to spoil this.
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SN - she isn't dangerous - just irritating!
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but that is a good point. I tried a neck twitch but might have to go the whole way.
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Make sure her bum is planted firmly in the corner of the stable, and go for an ear twitch
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Failing that, get an extra pair of hands, and go for a neck twitch, a tail hold and a double ear twitch
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Or howabout jumping on her when she's laying down, kneel on her neck and voila!
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lol - thanks.

I *think* we've managed to get enough in to clear up the scratch now.
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Fingers crossed I never have to do THAT again!
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Hope so - but if you do - you need help. My technique for such problems is to stand on the near side with right arm over neck, left arm around nose and grip hands firmly. Once you've bounced around the stable a few times, foal WILL stand. Then helper puts in eye ointment! Works with ID foals until they're about 6 months old - and by then they're well-mannered.
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