Strange small holes near eyes!

Lissa

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One of my ponies has small holes near the corners of both eyes, they are about the size of a pin head maybe.

If you squeeze/press on them sometimes clear fluidy stuff comes out sometimes its a slightly yellowy colour but doesn't look too manky.

We asked the vets about them when he was there for his vaccinations earlier this year and none of them had any idea about them. Atleast 3 looked at them. They basically said as long as nothing manky looking is coming out then not to worry.

Brought him in tonight and one side there was lump of gunky stuff that had hardened on the outside, managed to pick it off and then noticed it seems blocked and there is quite a lump inside.

Pony wouldn't let me get a good look though, but no idea how I should try and clear what ever is in there, tried the usual pressing on it but it seemed a lot more there than usual and harder.

Anyone ever seen anything like this, only thing I could think of was something to do with sinuses or ducts from the eyes. Obviously will take him to vets if I can't unblock and it seems as if it needs looking at. But any tips of how to try clear it would be great.

Thanks
 
They are tear ducts, and it sounds like you press and squeeze them a fair bit, leave them alone!! If you are squeezing all the time, then you are going to increase the chance of them becoming blocked and infected. I would just bath the eye in cooled boiled water water and if no improvement, then you will need to call the vet, but please stop poking!!
 
Did think tear ducts but thought it was strange they were outside his eyes. Don't squeeze them very often but will stop poking am terrible with anything like scabs just can't help picking!

Will try the bathing with warm water tomorrow, seems the same today apart from there wasn't a lump of stuff on the outside.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Surely if it was as simple as tear ducts the vets would have known that?! How about something similar to styes which are a problem for some humans. Similar to an over production of something or other at the root of the eye lash, which can become infected I think. Bathe with quite warm water and rub gently as this helps to clear the gunk around the hair follicle. But yet again I would have thought the vet would have seen if it was lash related.
 
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