Watery swollen eyes, what to do?

sophs_c

sophs_c

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My boys are kept out 24/7, went to check them this afternoon and both of them have watery eyes. It's been really hot today but it's the first hot day that they've had problems.

Sandy's are worse, his left eye is watery but the right eye is swollen and looking a darker pink colour. He does have a blocked tear duct which the vet knows about but said if its not causing him too much trouble then not to operate on it. I did bathe it in cold tea as I heard that's a good thing to do, brought them both in out the flies for the night as well.
Should I get the vet out in the morning or just keep an eye on it?
Any magical lotions or potions that might help?

Thanks :)
 
2 of my horses have had this recently as well. Do you have buttercups in your field? I think its that which is causing irritation for mine. I didnt do anything other than wipe their eyes with a damp sponge - usually by the next day they're totally back to normal again!
 
I would just keep an eye on it ( excuse the pun! ).

Could they wear a fly mask during the day, at least until the swelling goes down a bit? At my yard we have started using ours this week as the flies have just started to become a real problem.
 
My anglo sometimes get a watery swollen eye, although it never seems to affect the actual eyeball, just the lids. I bathe it with cold tea too, and it soon clears up. However, I have seen this enough on him to be used to when I need a vet. Don't mess about if you are worried, just get the vet out if they don't look any better. You can't replace eyes!

Having said this, I find its mostly caused by flies, and tend to keep mine in full face fly masks to help combat it.

good luck xxxx
 
Have any fields been cut for hay nearby.? Could be caused by pollen and that could affect their eyes just like it does us.
 
One of mine gets this sometimes - ask your vet for some Maxitrol eye drops or eye ointment - it is really great as it seems to work so quickly - and put fly masks on your horses.

Your vet may give you some Maxitrol if you describe the symptoms over the phone and this will save you the call out fee if you have the vet out - or alternatively take your horses to the vet in a trailer or lorry, again saving the call out fee.
 
Ah that's interesting about the buttercups! Think there are a few in the field, due to be topped and rolled soon as theres quite a lot of docs and thistles as well which probably aren't helping!

Think I will invest in some fly masks! Sandy has worn one before but my lovely destructive 5 year old will spend all day trying to shred it into tiny pieces. I might as well rip £20 up for him :S

Hmm well i'll give it a go anyway and if it's still bad tomorrow afternoon then will hail the vet.. And burn some more £20's..

Thanks for the help :D
 
sophs_c said:
Hmm well i'll give it a go anyway and if it's still bad tomorrow afternoon then will hail the vet.. And burn some more £20's..

Thanks for the help :D
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The Maxitrol eye drops were only £5.60 - and they work really quickly - within a couple of hours my horse's eyes were back to normal. You might need someone to help you put them in as you need to use your finger and thumb to hold their eye open (not easy!). If you do ask the vet for this try and get the ointment - it's easier to squeeze a line of this (gel) along their bottom eyelid.
 
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