I was recently given a horse
I noticed tonight it looks like it has an eye infection
she is really trying to rub it a lot
the tractor supply and vets are closed for the weekend
is there anything I can do for her.
horse muct have had something in eye it is fine now with no treatment other than cool cloth thanks every one no vet was needed
charm
Favorite Answer
Alright, I tried typing this twice, and I'm struggling to make sense, so forgive me if I use small words and more sentences:
You need a vet, because you MUST have her problem diagnosed.
There are two or three basic types of treatments for eye problems in horses.
What will FIX one problem will make a different problem much worse, to the point of blinding your horse.
Even with years of experience managing horses, I have yet to find a good vet who will diagnose my horse over the phone or without seeing it in person if the issue is with eyes. So the only safe supportive treatment to get you through the weekend would be if you could use a cold compress on her eye to help take down the swelling, and I would ONLY do that if she will quietly accept it, because if she moves around and fights the contact, she could make a scratch or other injury worse.
If it were my horse, I would consider the emergency call worth it. You will have to have the vet see her anyway, so get started on it now instead of later.
?
Definitely sounds like an infection. You will need antibiotics for the eye more than likely. Wait for the vet to come out for that treatment though. If the eye happens to have an ulcer an anti biotic with steroids in it will actually make it worse. You can put very warm compresses on it over the weekend and that will sooth the eye. I use Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment on my dogs and cats. I just looked it up on the internet and it shows that it can he used on horses too. Some feed stores sell it so you can call around and see. If your horses cornea is ulcerated Terramycin won't damage the eye.
Barefoottrimmer
An eye infection in a horse can be an emergency situation. Doesn't your vet have emergency on call for such as this. An eye infection can go bad very quickly and lead to severe consequences. I would call the vet and get them out asap. All offices have someone on call 24/7. you should not let this go.
Needle
That is strange that a TSC or vet would close for the weekend. I can understanding closing at 12 on Saturdays and closed on Sundays for a vet, but TSCs are not though. Call TSC and double check, they shouldn't close until 6PM on Sundays. I have never known one to do otherwise, anyway.
For brief relief you can clean her eyes with a solution called Clear Eyes by Farnam. You can usually find this at any local tack store or mill and TSC. If it's not on the shelf, ask for it.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/horse-liniments/farnam-reg-clear-eyes-sterile-eye-care-solution-4-oz--5022227
Anonymous
my horse had it i used clear eyes and squirted it in his eyes then rubbed it and put a fly mask on him but this is pretty serious i went the vet and i had to get a bunch or cream to put in his eyes but until you can get to the vet try the clear eyes oh and i put the clear eyes on a gauze strip and rubbed his eyes after i squirted them but you need to get to the vet asap if you have any questions you can email me at ldjs@ymail.com im not a vet but i do know what im doing if you don't have anything just rub it and try to rinse it out with sterile water