Vet Been - Got to Wash Filly's Eyes in Virkon S

devilwoman

devilwoman

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Vet has been today to my filly with manky eyes, he now thinks its some sort of fungal infection, says to buy Virkon S and wash her eyes in it every day for a month, also only to turn her out in a fly mask incase its something in the filed she is allergic to.

Any tips on the Virkon S - is it a matter of putting it on a cloth and wiping over her eyes, it won't sting will it ???
 
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Are you sure he said to use it on the eyes???? I can't believe that's correct.
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My thoughts too. Would imagine it would sting rather a lot???
 
How can that possibly be right? These are the precautions on their website:

- Virkon® S is classified as irritating to skin and risk of serious damage to eyes under EU regulations
- Avoid contact with eyes and skin during the handling of this product.
- Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves, eye and face protection (in accordance with BS EN 166).
- If the product or its dilutions are splashed in the eye, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

Very concerned about this, please check with another vet before going ahead.
 
Virkon??? that stuff is dangerous on skin you shouldn't even get it on you own skin, let alone eyes. it kills e-coli what do you think it would do to your horses eye. blind her no doubt. please ring your vet and check what he means cos this could cause more problems than it cures
 
I would definatly double check the advice given...it doesnt seem right
shocked.gif
 
sheesh sorry but no way would I be doing that.

That is one of our main lab disinfectants, I know its buffered but not sure what the pH actually is as it is made up of peroxide and organic acids etc.

from this safety data sheet http://www.pharmacal.com/MSDS/US/MSDSVirkonS.pdf

Primary Eye Irritation: The powder is corrosive to rabbit’s eyes. A dilution of 5%
produces conjunctival irritation.

having breathed in the powder too much in lab use it is not pleasant stuff.
 
I think you all may have missed this bit from the link SS posted

"When tested in accordance with OECD and EU test guidelines a 1%, in-use dilution, of Virkon® S does not cause irritation to eyes or skin."

But I would contact your vet again just to get clarification. Or get a 2nd opinion from another vet.
 
I am an experienced equine veterinary surgeon working in full time equine practice and whilst I do not want to comment on individual cases or criticize a colleague I will tell you that I would never, ever, in any circumstances consider instilling Virkon into a horse's eye.

Fungal ulcers are rare in the UK compared with the US and there are recognized antifungals that are appropriate ,if the correct diagnosis has been reached.
 
For god's sake don't use it dilute or any other way on your horse's eyes. Or any part of the horse. It's a flipping stable disinfectant for crying out loud! If you're certain that's what your vet told you to do you need to change your vet immediately.
 
Definately do not put virkon S in the eyes, it is one of the strongest discinfectants available on the legal market! I use it to discinfect my kit and even after doing that I clean the residue off with boiling water (well I actually put it in the dishwasher but dont tell my mother that!)
I have to wear gloves just to wash my kit, the stuff is horrible!

I cant believe your vet said that, I think you need to contact the practice partner and tell them before he/she advises someone else to do the same thing and they actually do it!
 
No way - cannot be right - I use it on my kit to prevent transfer of disease between farms and ponds (foot and mouth and a fungal disease of amphibians being the main concerns for us) - and even when dilute I can promise you it bleaches clothing and drys out skin, there is no way on earth I would put it near something's eye!
 
Just wanted to bump this post back up to add a little more, have contacted surgery (still done nothing with filly's eyes) and the nurse said she would check it out with senior Vet and phone me back tomorrow after she has spoken with him. She did say they do use Virkon S for skin conditions but understood my concerns.

I would add this is not to go IN her eyes but AROUND them where she has skin/hair loss around the edge of her eylids, not that that probably makes much difference, but will update again tomorrow once have a further chat with vet.

Once again thanks for all the replies.
 
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