Red Mucky Eyes & Coughing

[flyingfeet]

One of our liveries has come back from camp with very red sore eyes which have yellow mucus built up on both.

Additionally he appears to be coughing a lot

Are these the signs of something we should be worried about??

 

[vicijp]

It could be a pollen allergy. My horse has one and had eyes as you describe in that hot spell a couple of weeks ago. Within 5 mins of the rain starting they were clear. He also coughed, but that could be due to the dust allergy (allergic to his own sweat too).
When is he coughing? If its when hes not working it could be a bit of a bug, affecting the eyes as well. If its when hes warming up in work it may be the pollen again. If its when hes coming in from working its time to be worried.
Worth getting him scoped just to see whats going on, and get some eye gel off the vet.

 

[flyingfeet]

He is coughing at rest - but on the other hand he is an old 11hh welsh type. He was very unfit before camp, but then only had to carry around a 3 year old on a lead rein.

Just quite alarming, so have quarantined him today to see if he clears up.

 

[Fairynuff]

Red mucky eyes and coughing may mean "Pink Eye" or equine viral arteritis. Has he got a high temp, runny nose, swelling around the eyes or other parts of his body? If any of these symptoms appear-call the vet. Its passed via infected coughs and is highly contagious. Keep your eye on him and it may be a good idea to try and isolate him till your sure hes okay. Hope its just an allergy and clears up soon. mairi.

 

[flyingfeet]

Checked him out for EVA and he is fine, thanks for the heads up though.

3 days of saline washing three times a day and his eyes are back to normal. Guess we must be blessed with the lack of flies on our farm!

 

[Fairynuff]

Bet that was a relief! Glad to know hes better. Mairi.