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Discussion on Other options to control weeping in the eye
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Friday, Mar 18, 2005 - 9:42 pm:
Last year about this time i had her eyes checked by the vet and all diagnostic tests done to rule out anything serious. We did the stain test. and drained both eyes. goopy clear liquid came out on one eye, the other was fine. they both seem to have some weeping happening.
I am wondering if i should do this drainage thing again. Since its the start of mosquito and gnat season, this seems to be the culprit. And her eyes are starting to tear excessively again.
what to do in nipping this before it gets bad?
The fly masks work to an extant. But leaving one on all day everyday create other skin problems. Plus these little buggers are smart. I still find them in the mask. even the ones with the ears covered. short of covering her whole neck, ears, and muzzle, they will find a way in.
I was also putting on daily fly ointment for wounds under the eye (she looked like a football player, grin) But that rubs off on the nearest tree. and i am afraid of it getting into her eye, too.
Should i get the eye ointment from vet again? it has steroids in it. Do i really need that. didn't the article state that once stopped the eye will inflame again?
I just see her rubbing on the trees and know she is going to really cut something.. (which has happened before)
Anyone have ideas to alleviate the tearing. Or just alleviate the itching?
thanks.
joj
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 19, 2005 - 11:56 am:
If flushing the nl ducts helped before joj, it may need to be done again. Sometimes stopping minor inflammation results in help well beyond the time the steroid ointments are stopped.
Though not common, inadequate tear production (keratoconjuntivitis sicca) is a problem is some horses. It is a bit counterintuitive but the dryness causes irritation which then causes the eye to produce excessive mucous and the eyes run. If the tearing is very watery and the eye not irritated looking this is even less likely. Did your horse get a Schirmer tear test? For more on this see the article.
DrO
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 - 6:57 pm:
Counterintuitive...good word. had to think about that one for a bit... 
Yes, thanks Dr. O, My vet did the schirmer test. He is thorough. He just said she irritates from the bugs....So she has no trauma, or uveitis or dry eye. My vets recommendation was put her in a barn and put a fan up... and that would solve it. hmmm. i don't have a barn... so that rules out a fan.
Flushing the ducts didn't make the tearing stop. or irritation. which then becomes inflamed... I just need some options how to control it besides fly mask. and following her around all day putting on fly ointment.
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Member:
Marroon
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 - 10:51 pm:
I may be out of line here but I used Frontline Plus for my dog for fleas, tics and flea eggs. You put the liquid between the shoulder blades and between the hips on the skin. I do this every 45 days and our indoor/outdoor dog never had another problem with fleas or tics.
Last summer I saw in one of the Country General Stores they had something similar for horses and flies. Well, I didn't tell anyone but I did try it. Was out on a limb a bit because he gets hives, so...I just went real light on the aplication. I felt there was some relief for him and I plan on implementing it fully this year. What's real nice so far is no hives from it. Wish I knew what it was called. I'll look for it tomorrow, I know I kept the box, and let you know if someone else doesn't come up with it before then. The only downfall is it didn't work as well in the rain or when he got wet.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 6:35 am:
Besides steroid eye ointments JoJo, there are eye solutions with NSAIDs you could try but they may not as effective at releiving inflammation and may sting a little.
DrO
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 10:22 am:
thanks Dr. O and Cj..
Cj what is the name of the product. I have only once ever seen a flea on my horse. and it was right after nuzzling one of the dogs. but i will try it and see.
If i don't stay on top of it her lower lid starts to swell and get i nflamed on that one eye. the tearing gets worse, too. and it means i need to put stuff on her about 5 times a day. of course, at that stage she see me coming and it becomes a chasing match... It really is a pain. Her fly masks... (i have 4 of them) all create their own problems. I am losing skin around her nose area and cheek. And during this time i need to leave the halter on which creates bald patches, etc. Otherwise i can't catch her. So, anything that i can do ONCE a day. or twice during feed times would just help so much...
Maybe i should just stick with the steroids. I just vaguely remember bad things about long term steroid use. Also, Dr. O, if using Swat around the eyes. How much damage if it gets into the eye?
thanks,
jo
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 21, 2005 - 6:18 pm:
I think you will find vaseline at least as effective as the Swat and it won't sting. Run a search on swat and vaseline, we have had discussions on this before.
DrO
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