my horse's eyelid ripped off?

Question

a couple weeks ago (on labor day) i woke up to feed my horse and he had manage to rip his eyelid off :/. the bottom part. like where his eyelashes are. i called the vet and he came and gave him a ton of stitches. He told me he cut it on something metal like the handles of his feed bucket or something. He told me to get cups to go over his eyes (for racehorses) so that he cant itch out his stitches. But he has worn it for almost two weeks now. and he developed a bunch of really bad cuts on his face. like they look infected with pus, and its like raw. he has them behind his ears, under his chin, below and above his eyes and on his jaw. i put cream on them, but the mask keeps rubbing on it and its not working because of that. i let him out of his stall for about 3 hours in the evening (because its too hot for him during the day) and when i let him out i clean his mask, and put on the cream and then i have to put it back on when he returns to his stall. he was on antibiotics and Bute (like horsey Advil) for a week and a half, and he isnt on it anymore. my vet is coming Monday to take the stitches out, he said to just keep the mask on. but the cuts will get worse and worse, does anyone have any suggestions on what i could do?

Update:

ok let me say this again. his mask isnt one to wear everyday its one the rachorses wear such as:

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-...

it isnt like a fly mask. i have to keep it on him with the cups so that he doesnt scratch his stitches out.

zephania666 · Accepted Answer

Is the mask on tight?  Some of these sound like pressure sores.  If the mask is tight, LOOSEN it or the sores will get worse.

Also, ask your vet if he can have more bute - if he's rubbing himself raw like this, it's because pain and/or itching is driving him nuts.  Bute would help.

Third...  I'm surprised it hurts this much.  Did the vet check for corneal scratches or abrasions before he sewed it up?

Fourth...  what's the cream?  That could be what's causing the irritation.  If the vet didn't prescribe it, don't use it.  If the vet prescribed it, he may be sensitive to it or allergic to it.  I'd stop using the cream, just in case.

Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

It would probably help, to make very certain his environment is safe even for a toddler, no rusty, nails, splintery wood, anything that can cut him. Cutting will happen for one of several reasons, he may be blinded on that side due to the cup over his eye, or itchy and trying to get rid of it. As far as the cuts themselves go, encourage the skin to grow healthy. Is the cream oil or water based? What skin needs to grow is a warm moist environment. Horses are ery prone to grow proudflesh, so you need to know exactly how to treat the cuts not 'just' toss cream or anything else on. Be careful, study, and never be afraid to call the vet and pester them. Vets do not mind you asking questions and they will not charge you for it. They want horse owners to be informed! If you can not make his environment safe, move him to a safe place OR provide a companion that will help bond and guide him. Another thing you can try is simply spending alot more time with him, keep his mind occupied, take him for walks, talk to him, teach him a trick. anything except the moments where he scrapes himself up when you arent looking. Spend more time with him, so that he spends less time hurting himself. Study him, make sure he doesnt know your there, and see how and why he gets scraped.

amanda · Answer

I'd just listen to the vet, keep up with the cream...the vet will see him Monday and take the stiches out. He may give you some antibiotice cream or cleaner for the cuts/rubs on his face

gallop · Answer

Your vet should be the one answering these questions and prescribing solutions.  You should not act on any advice received here other than advice to consult with your vet.

Finley · Answer

why is he getting cuts?

a good mask that is placed properly won't cause cuts.

either get a better mask, or fit it better. 
there's no reason for his face to be getting cut up. makes no sense. 

check his area too, for any nails, etc....

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my horse's eyelid ripped off?

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