Gunky Eyes

[SmartieBean09]

Hi,

Can anybody recommend anything for gunky eyes? My pony has been diagnosed with a sensitive repiritory tract which causes hayfever and head shaking in the summer. However she seems to have gunky eyes all year round (even though I clean them every day!) I use Global Herbs Shake Free in the summer which seems to work but was only recommended to use this in the summer.

Can anyone help?

ps - the vet has been to see her and checks her on every visit. They arent concerned as they dont appear to be aggrivating her at all, they just look awful.

 

[teddyt]

If the gunk is yellow or green then it will need ointment or drops from the vet as there is an infection.

The tear ducts could be blocked.

If the gunk is just dark then clean them everyday with seperate pieces of damp cotton wool. Wind can cause it, as can straw, wood or shavings bedding. Make sure your stable environment is dust free, feed forage from the floor too. Euphrasia is a herb that can help eyes., you feed it and also make an eyewash with it.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Hmmmm. I think you're doing the right thing cleaning them every day and as teddyt says, all sorts of things can give rise to weepy eyes. In the winter it's cold icy winds and in the summer it's flies (and sometimes cold icy winds lol). It's worth speaking with your vet though because ANY condition that becomes chronic (ie goes on and on without resolution) can lead to more serious diseases because the tissues are constantly "on the alert". Chronic gungy eyes (ask your vets if it's conjunctivitis) is a recognised precursor to superficial keratitis which can be extremely difficult and hideously expensive to treat. Be guided by the vets if they offer to flush out tear ducts as there are no guarantees that will solve the problem. Clean your neds eyes as if your life depended on it because over time, where the gungy muck collects on the skin around and below the eye can develop chronic dermatitis. Ned may need referral to a specialist eye clinic if the condition worsens x

 

[Izzwizz]

When my mares have been gunky I have bathed them with luke warm salt water, (not too salty) and thats done the trick. Vet said it was ok to do this by the way. I have also used some ointment called Golden Eye from the Chemist as recommended by others on the yard and that worked a treat too.