Sore eye

[Halfstep]

Horse came in from field yesterday with a sore eye. He had it open as normal, but it was puffy underneath (like a black eye in a human), red rimmed at the bottom and quite runny. It didn't seem to be bothering him too much, so I cleaned it with some sterile saline. It wasn't much better this morning, still very puffy. Any tips? I'm thinking just keep it cleaned with the saline and if it looks any worse get the vet. As it is not shut, I'm guessing it isn't too bad. I think he knocked it off something while removing his fly mask, naughty pony.

x

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

I think Id be inclined to call the vet straight away, eyes are so delicate and I really woundlt wait. He may have an abscess or some thing.

 

[kick_On]

go to chemist and get some 'goldeneye' and keep as clean as poss.
Mine get puffy eyes from flys, so they go out with flymask on and sort eye in morning and evening. I also bring mine in every day so they are not out in worst of flys.

 

[Tania29]

My mare came in from the field wednesday morning with the same thing! i`ve been using a ointment called Golden eye (human eye stuff) you can get it from the chemist. This has worked really well, the next day her eye was almost back to normal. I`ve also made sure she has her fly mask on in the field as i think it`s the fies that have caused it. Hope this helps.

 

[__Annie__]

I'd call the vet if this is the first time he's had eye trouble. I'm a bit paranoid about eye problems

my mare is very sensitive to flies so if her fly mask comes off and her eyes are swollen and gunky I cleanse them with plain Optrex eye bath and then apply a thin layer of brolene ointment to the upper eyelids before superglueing her mask back on

*the superglue bit was a joke

*

 

[Halfstep]

Thanks everyone. I've got some Brolene ointment from the pharmacy (apparently there is some problem with Goldeneye at the moment). I'm going out to check on the horse now and will see how it looks. If it isn't any better I'll get the vet. Don't want to risk it with eyes.

x

 

[Sparklet]

I would go down the 'golden eye ointment' route for a runny eye only. Puffy, swollen eyes need to be seen by the vet. Its astonishing how quicly they can disintergrate if the right treatment is not given. I had a 2 month fight to keep my daugthers pony's eye earlier on this year.

Get the vet unless it has cleared.

 

[__Annie__]

I totally agree. Puffy, swollen eyes are a potential lifechanging situation.
Previous to having my mare i had heard of a horse losing an eye because of flies, the owner hadn'y realised just how severe the problem was. I'm happy to treat my mare with optrex and brolene because i know her condition and would also recognise if she failed to respond to treatment and call the vet accordingly.

 

[diondelmonte]

Yep - another vote for getting the vet

One of mine came in with puffy eye - turns out he had a 1/2 inch puncture wound in it - 5 weeks box rest with top doors shut & drops every 4 hours day & night - he could well have lost his eye if I hadn't got the vet immediately

 

[Loupride]

Cold Tea Bags are FAB for eyes (used I may add) Just gently hold them up against the area for about 10 minutes, works everytime

However as others have said, if it is the first time with eye trouble it would do no harm to call a vet. A friend of mine had something very similar during the week, vet came out & it turns out tat the sun is scarring her horse's eyes. She was advised to get a mask for him in the bright weather, otherwise he could have longterm damage.

I lnow that sounds a bit drastic but it may be better to just check?

 

[Halfstep]

Eye no better so vet coming at 6. Sigh.

Thanks for all advice.

x

 

[Sparklet]

I think you are wise and I really do hope its something trivial and we have all wound you up for nothing. Good luck to pony

 

[Halfstep]

Well have had vet - she couldn't find any wound or obvious source of the problem so we are thinking that he must have bashed it. She's given me some eye ointment and he's had an antibiotic jab and will be on lots of bute for a few days. If no better then I start to worry! So fingers crossed.
Bless him, he was heavily sedated so she could really get into the eye and I ended up propping him up - he very nearly went over! Poor pony. He woke up and promptly bit me.

Thanks everyone.

x

 

[BBs]

Naw poor lad.
Well his bro had something similar mid week, but i put it down to flies.
Cleaned it out with damp cotton wool and rode, got back still puffy but less sore looking. Cleared up in a few days. Still occasionally runny but no weepy gunk.
Hope the little chap is feeling better now, bad PONY for biting mummy tho.

 

[Sparklet]

Poor pony - my girl's eye problem was due to a bash too and she ended up being okay but it was touch and go for a while. You have done the right thing - keep a close eye (excuse the pun) on it and get the vet back if anything looks worrying.