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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Eye Diseases » Inflammed, Tearing Eyes, Swollen Lids »
  Discussion on Horse with bad eye
Author Message
New Member:
rosie8

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 5:09 pm:

i have a mare that we have been treating her eye for conjuctivitis for 3 weeks they have done a stain and a block there is an ulceration she is on bnp ointment dmso ointment and atropine also smz pills twice a day plus banamine her eye is still tearing thermatter there it red and swollen we keep a special mask on her she wants to rub it constantly is there anymore we should be doing or how long should we go with the same treatment before you make any changes thanks elaine
Member:
paul303

Posted on Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 - 1:10 am:

I checked your profile, which horse is it? What color is your horse around the eyes? Is the skin pink or dark? There is a "Guardian Mask" that is very good - is that like what you are using? Is there no improvement in 3 weeks? Was the tearduct flushed?

Is there any exudate ( pus )? I have to admit that I can't blame you for getting concerned at this point. Eye problems can be so frightening. Hang in there....We'll see what Dr.O says...
Member:
pbauer

Posted on Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 - 2:23 am:

Dear Elaine,

Very sorry to hear about your horse's eye.

I didn't know (found this in a search):

Eye injuries and infections are common in horses. This is just one of the reasons you should check your horses—and not just from over the pasture fence—at least twice daily. Untreated eye problems can become very nasty very quickly. Minor problems can result in blindness if left unattended. If the eye becomes badly infected, the structures of the eye can be eroded until the entire eye collapses. But with prompt treatment many eye problems can be brought under control within a few days.

Your horse’s eyes should be clear, bright, and the lids tight, with the inside of the lid pale pink and moist. Tearing should be minimal with perhaps only a DrOplet at the corner of the eye.

Image #1 shows a healthy horse's eye




My Best,
Tonya

P.S. Please keep us updated.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 - 7:54 am:

Hello elaine,
I am a little confused by your post. Is the ulcer on the conjunctiva or the cornea. I will assume you have a corneal ulcer which is more common and called "ulcerative keratitis", correct me if I have this wrong.

The main questions is "do they have a firm diagnosis?" as to the cause of the ulcer. Though usually secondary infections to trauma, there are several different organisms that require different treatments, for more on this see, Diseases of Horses » Eye Diseases » Corneal Ulcers, Fungal and Bacterial Keratitis.
DrO
New Member:
rosie8

Posted on Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 - 10:58 pm:

thanks for responding as of today thur. the eye is starting to look better her eye has stopped watering so much and she is trying to open it some my vet says there is no fungal or bacterial problem he thinks she rubbed it from having conjuctivitis he saying it is corneal ulcer what is the usual healing time and when should i decide to go for more testing or possible call in an opthamalogist but at this point i do think it looks better thanks so much for your concerns to answer the questions above rosie is the horse thats her she is brown and looks alot like the eye in the picture there was some pus at first but mostly clear tearing now the tear ducts are okay. thanks elaine
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