Horses eye is sore

Justification said:
The horse has fly eye. Its almost better now since I have been using the nose and eye lotion combined with the optitrex eye drops. As it happens every year (which is what I described in my op) people should realise that it was serious especially as he is quite happy to leave it open whilst outside the stable and only when he is resting in a partially darkened barn does he half shut it.

Next time I will keep my mouth shut. Should have learnt my lesson by now, but no. But kinda hoped I would have some sensible alternatives to people screeching at me to get the vet out when clearly it has not been at all necessary.

Sometimes there is an alternative to getting the vet out for every single ailment your horse encounters at a cost of £80-£100 a time especially with something as little as fly eye.
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You have had sensible replies. Nobody has been nasty, they've just said things you don't want to hear...which is to get the vet, which is NEVER a bad thing to say. Better to lose £80 on an unnecessary call out than keep the £80 and have a horse suffering. You must understand than when we can't see you're horse, we're not going to advise doing anything other than getting it checked when it is the eye. Stick around, you'll see plenty of threads where many of us say not to bother with a vet straight away...it is not always the answer, but you really can't be annoyed at people advising vet for an ongoing eye problem.

Nobody has been screeching at you and there is really no need to exaggerate like that. It isn't at all clear to me that a vet hasn't been necessary as, by your own admission, it will happen again next year. Would it not be nicer for the horse to be seen and possibly get to the bottom of the issue so that he doesn't need to go through this any more?

I was really quite complimentary in my first reply, but you have concentrated only on the negatives (in your eyes) and so I wonder if a public forum is a good place for you. It's a community, we're not always going to get on and if someone says things we really don't like, we can put them on user ignore...but we have to accept that we won't always agree.

Don't leave, join in...but don't expect people to tell you it's fine not to get a vet when there's an ongoing health issue with your horse.

I'm glad it's looking better for now, but seriously, it happens every year...I would want to get to the bottom of it.
 
Justification said:
Yes I appreciate that. But they don't need to be rude about it do they? Its like saying "people like that". I love my horse to bits, always have always will. He has the life of riley, has the dentist coming tomorrow, has the vet out whenever he needs it, is given the best food, the best care, the best life, I moved yards so he would be safe from mad dogs chasing him. I hack out in flourescent, never jump him XC over a certain height for fear of injuring him, shod every five weeks, physio every three months, change his food over for seven to ten days to prevent colic, give him upteen supplements and the best feed and rugs, - put aside £120 each and every week, cuddle and groom and ride him each and every night, get down the yard for six thirty weekends to ride out before the flies come out, and basically worship the ground he walks on as we all do with our horses. It really irritates me that people can be so bl**dy judgemental when they don't even know you. GRRRRR
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So why on earth are you so reluctant to pay the call-out fee for the vet to come out on this occasion? The vet can give you prescription only medication which you cannot reliably get from any other source.

I am surprised that an experienced, knowledgeable owner such as yourself is dragging your feet over this. I honestly thought that you must be a novice, numpty owner relying on a 'yard poll' instead of common-sense, until I read that you were a member previously - presumably with a different user-name, as I don't recognise this one?
 
_GG_ said:
I'm glad it's looking better for now, but seriously, it happens every year...I would want to get to the bottom of it.
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My eye itches. It happens with the pollen being high (every year). It itches so I rub it. It gets inflammed so I treat it with eye ointment. Sometimes it might take a few days to work. I don't run to the doctors or to A&E. Lets keep things in context here.

If I couldn't open the eye (as in uevitis) or there was a nail sticking out of it, or blood or anything SERIOUS then I would go to A&E.

But rubbing the eye as my horse has presumably done has resulted in an inflammed eye which is why it looked like it did. The nose and eye stuff and the optitrex has finally worked. END OF STORY. Not gong to comment further.
 
Justification said:
My eye itches. It happens with the pollen being high (every year). It itches so I rub it. It gets inflammed so I treat it with eye ointment. Sometimes it might take a few days to work. I don't run to the doctors or to A&E. If I couldn't open the eye (as in uevitis) or there was a nail sticking out of it, or blood or anything SERIOUS then I would go to A&E.

But rubbing the eye as my horse has presumably done has resulted in an inflammed eye which is why it looked like it did. The nose and eye stuff and the optitrex has finally worked. END OF STORY. Not gong to comment further.
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I have words for owners like you. I would rather not get banned so won't say them.....
 
amymay said:
Practically every post has recommended the vet. You say he doesn't need one and flounce.

It makes for very confusing reading.

He clearly doesn't have the vet out whenever he needs it........
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No he never has the vet which is why I've spent the last ten years on approx £9K of treatment for spavin, arthritis in coffin joint, colic, PRP and other minor things in between. That's not to mention the £1K I have just spent in the last year investigating something that has resolved itself.

So heh he never sees the vet...... I just like to give them lots of money for their Xmas meal out.
 
Justification said:
No he never has the vet which is why I've spent the last ten years on approx £9K of treatment for spavin, arthritis in coffin joint, colic, PRP and other minor things in between. That's not to mention the £1K I have just spent in the last year investigating something that has resolved itself.

So heh he never sees the vet...... I just like to give them lots of money for their Xmas meal out.
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Oh, I beg your pardon, that excuses not getting a vet this time then.
 
Justification said:
No he never has the vet which is why I've spent the last ten years on approx £9K of treatment for spavin, arthritis in coffin joint, colic, PRP and other minor things in between. That's not to mention the £1K I have just spent in the last year investigating something that has resolved itself.

So heh he never sees the vet...... I just like to give them lots of money for their Xmas meal out.
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You can't call other people rude and use a tone like that...pot and kettle anyone?

Amymay is referring to this issue with his eye, nobody has questioned your treatment of the horse aside from the eye issue. It sounds like you are trying to get a rise out of people here...why?
 
Justification said:
No he never has the vet which is why I've spent the last ten years on approx £9K of treatment for spavin, arthritis in coffin joint, colic, PRP and other minor things in between. That's not to mention the £1K I have just spent in the last year investigating something that has resolved itself.

So heh he never sees the vet...... I just like to give them lots of money for their Xmas meal out.
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Now you're just being silly, and making yourself look like a fool.
 
Justification said:
My eye itches. It happens with the pollen being high (every year). It itches so I rub it. It gets inflammed so I treat it with eye ointment. Sometimes it might take a few days to work. I don't run to the doctors or to A&E. Lets keep things in context here.

If I couldn't open the eye (as in uevitis) or there was a nail sticking out of it, or blood or anything SERIOUS then I would go to A&E.

But rubbing the eye as my horse has presumably done has resulted in an inflammed eye which is why it looked like it did. The nose and eye stuff and the optitrex has finally worked. END OF STORY. Not gong to comment further.
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You can decide to take yourself to a doctor or not, you can tell people what is going on and understand what is going on. Your horse cannot.

I understand your username now. You are constantly justifying not getting a vet to your horse. It's a recurring problem, being seasonal or not makes no difference. Are you saying that you find it more acceptable to allow it happen every year and treat it than to do something to just prevent it ever happening in the first place?
 
Shires fine mesh face mask and bath with cool tea bag after leaving them to cool in tea, use the bags like you would cotton wool to dab the eyes with the juice and let it run in the eye. This is as long as you can see nothing else wrong, otherwise don't risk and call vet
 
NOISYGIRL said:
Shires fine mesh face mask and bath with cool tea bag after leaving them to cool in tea, use the bags like you would cotton wool to dab the eyes with the juice and let it run in the eye. This is as long as you can see nothing else wrong, otherwise don't risk and call vet
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Poor advice IMO. The horse has had a bad eye for over a week and a half. The treatment OP was giving was not working.
 
_GG_ said:
You can decide to take yourself to a doctor or not, you can tell people what is going on and understand what is going on. Your horse cannot.
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And you know that rubbing it is bad/likely to introduce infection, your horse doesn't :p
 
_GG_ said:
You can't call other people rude and use a tone like that...pot and kettle anyone?

Amymay is referring to this issue with his eye, nobody has questioned your treatment of the horse aside from the eye issue. It sounds like you are trying to get a rise out of people here...why?
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Originally Posted by amymay View Post
"Practically every post has recommended the vet. You say he doesn't need one and flounce.

It makes for very confusing reading.

He clearly doesn't have the vet out whenever he needs it........"

Really??
 
This happens every year and you haven't got the vet yet? If you HAVE had the vet out, then surely he/she will know what to recommend as an alternative to your current treatment. Why on earth would you drag your feet on something as delicate as an eye?
 
We have one on the yard with weepy eyes - he has had a sinus flush and now has medicated cream from the vet, not just weak over the counter stuff.......
 
Instead of coming back at people with bad tempered sarcastic responses go away and take a deep breath, then think about what people have said - both about the issue YOU asked for thoughts about, and about your attitude to people offering their opinion. I can see that you feel victimised, but maybe it should be a wake up call for you - could it be that they are right and you are wrong?

Otherwise, I don't know why you bother posting, as both under this username, and your previous one, you have followed the same pattern. You ask for advice, don't like the answers, get defensive, then start throwing your toys out of your pram.
Maybe your next flounce should be a permanent one - as you don't seem to get very much out of this forum, other than disappointment and upset.
 
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Justification said:
Originally Posted by amymay View Post
"Practically every post has recommended the vet. You say he doesn't need one and flounce.

It makes for very confusing reading.

He clearly doesn't have the vet out whenever he needs it........"

Really??
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Yes really.

Let me tell you a story. I once delayed getting a vet out for my horse. He had a minor wound and I really didn't think much of it. A few days later it seemed to have become infected, despite my best efforts - so I reluctantly made an appointment (yet more bloomin money.....).

The wound was a very small punture wound. What I didnt know was that it had missed (or hopefully missed) the tendon sheeth by millimeters. Several hundred pounds later (and thankfully no hospitalisation needed, although it was touch and go) my horse was ok. But, I actually could have lost him, all because I didn't want to spend another £80.

My point is, we don't always know what's going on - and if I have to spend £80 on a vet telling me to carry on doing what I'm doing - fine. Lesson learn't.

So whilts many posters on here may say they haven't got the money or the inclination to get the vet at a drop of a hat - most of us can't afford not to. We simply don't have the knowledge or expertise.
 
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Justification said:
Originally Posted by amymay View Post
"Practically every post has recommended the vet. You say he doesn't need one and flounce.

It makes for very confusing reading.

He clearly doesn't have the vet out whenever he needs it........"

Really??
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Not sure why you have gone grey but hopefully you can still read this.

Yes, really. You assume amymay meant you don't get the horse out when he needs it. Amyway just said you clearly don't get the horse out whenever (as in every time) he needs it and that comment is true because, as the vast majority here have said, your horse needs the vet for this...and you won't get the vet out.

It's not confusing. It's quite simple.
 
We all asses the injury situation when presented to us, eyes I check for anything obvious. Then call the vet out, loss of vision in a horse is a big thing. I certainly would not treat my horses eye with remedies till I knew what I was dealing with, this can also make your insurance void if you self treat it and it goes wrong.

I treat my horses wounds as I find them as long as they are surface wounds, once they are more than 2 ml deep I get the vet. Joints its vets straight away. My late mare got kicked on the hock region, a tiny smaller than a 5 pence piece wound. ( Saturday) by Monday it was still trickling blood, so called the vet straight away, she put fingers in the hole and felt bone (shattered splint bone in 19 pieces).

Likely the blood flow stop infection getting in. I learnt a big lesson that day ANY injuries on a joint "VET", we spent 10K on my mare for her lami. We spent a lot of money on her Uveitis and Recurring Ulcers (which I thought OP was reading and would act on).

Gut feeling and When in doubt get the vet is what I abide by, I have seen a lot of self treating going on, and don't know why some people quibble about a vet visit when a problem comes up. When you have horses they go hand in hand with vet visits, When my boy broke my Humerus in Nov due to livery stupidity we had vet regularly to treat his leg wounds.

Really bugs me when people ask for advice, describe a potential recurring problem with one of the horses most delicate parts and at a risk of paying a small premium are willing to jeopardize their horses vision because of ££££.

Then we get slatted for advising her the vet, if she was so certain it was a minor issue why bother to ask on here??
 
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Update - horses eye fine, just the typical fly eye that strikes every year. Has cleared up nicely on its own although it did take a couple more days longer than I thought it would and doesn't help that every time he rides he rubs his face/eyes/nose on his haynet or whatever is to hand as soon as the bridle comes off!

Many thanks for all your help. xx
 
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applecart14 said:
Update - horses eye fine, just the typical fly eye that strikes every year. Has cleared up nicely on its own although it did take a couple more days longer than I thought it would and doesn't help that every time he rides he rubs his face/eyes/nose on his haynet or whatever is to hand as soon as the bridle comes off!

Many thanks for all your help. xx
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Good to know. Any plans to prevent it for next year Applecart?
 
You need to feed the herb eyebright, I get mine from hilton herbs, and a fly fringe has solved it for my friesian :)
 
Sometimes you come on a forum to generate some ideas, so 52 identical responses isn't that helpful.
Then, when you become aware that people don't have anything helpful to offer, and that you've been misunderstood, just sigh... close your laptop and move on.
 
_GG_ said:
Good to know. Any plans to prevent it for next year Applecart?
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Yeah keep him in all summer so the pollen doesn't irate his eye, never ride him so he doesn't get a sweaty face and then rub it on a hay net, wrap him in cotton wool (particuarly his face) and give him a nasal tube to breathe through? Place him in a deep freeze???

Assume you are being sarky GG?

Not really sure how I can prevent fly eye or an irritation to pollen other than to do as I am doing now and put a mask on him every night before I turn out, keeping dust down by not mucking out with him in the stable (not that I ever have done) and putting a fly fringe on him when out hacking, oh and wiping his eye with eye and nose lotion.

Have you any ideas GG??? I am sure you will share them with me without any hesitation.
 
I don't think I've ever known GG be sarky!

I would actually suggest discussing it with your vet and see if you can start some treatment before the troublesome season starts so that he doesn't get into the sore-rub cycle.

A mask would also be better for hacking than a fringe as it will stop some of the pollens too.
 
chestnut cob said:
Got to be a fly mask for turnout and something for riding too, surely? Mine is in a fly mask 24/7 ATM as he really suffers with the flies, gets really gunky nasty eyes that get sore. Prevention is the best thing!
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Wow just seen your reply Chestnut Cob. Unbelievable! Why do you assume that I don't already use a fly mask/fly fringe and fly spray already????? Honestly I've owned six horses, been riding for 30 years, evented, dressage to elem, show jumped to disco, hundreds of fun rides, ridden problematic horses that have bucked reared and bolted, seen my fair share of accidents, seen a lot of injuries on the big yards I've been on, spent thousands getting my horse right, read magazines and veterinary papers till they have come out of my ears.

I am not a beginner who knows nothing (not that there is anything wrong with that), why do people jump to conclusions???
 
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