swollen eye

[preciousgem]

Yesterday we went out to the barn and our horse has a very swollen eye! She was fine the evening before. I didn't see any kind of bug bite or injury on the outside of the eye. The swelling is worse on the top but the bottom is also swollen. Any ideas? The trainer flushed it and put drops in it. We applied a cold cloth for a while. What else can we do?

[emmathechief]

My hossy gets swollen eyes and they get all weepy this time of year. For her it's just the flies. She has to have a veil on to stop them, otherwise they turn infected!

Always be very careful with eyes though. I would say if it hasn't improved in a couple of days to get advice from a vet. Better to be safe than sorry!

[titch]

It more thank likely to be a bite, specially during this time of year, however i would say keep flushing it for a few days but if it keeps weeping call the vet. My pony had a streaming eye which was swollen and had no imporovement by flushing it, keeping her in to stop the wind aggravating it nor did leaving her out to prevent dust getting in. Luckily i called the vet because a strand of hay was trapped in the eye causig an ulcer to develop! all was fine, but i think if not showing any improvement call the vet asap.

[preciousgem]

I just spoke to the trainer. The eye is still swollen. She will flush it and apply cold cloths today. If it's not better when we go to see her after work today, I'm calling the vet to come out tomorrow. This is our first horse and the first problem we've had. It makes me very nervous and I don't want to wait long for it to get better.

[mu0ljk]

Otto came in yesterday with a swollen eye. We think it is the flies and have dug out a fly mask for him to wear and put a cold compress on it.

Like you if it gets any bigger or hasn't gone down by tomorrow or if there is any coloured discharge then we will get the vet.

[Portia]

B had this a few weeks back, was a bite combined with irritation caused by flies.

Clean the eye twice daily with optrex and non-linting cotton pads ( the ones they sell for contact lense wearers), and put either a fly fringe or a fly masks on her.

BUT - if it doesnt settle in 24 hours or so then have the vet to check, eyes are far too precious to risk.

[preciousgem]

Thanks for your support. This is scary when it happens for the first time. She wears a mask outside but at night all the horses usually come in. Maybe we should leave her mask on at night, but then I would worry that she would get caught on something when no one is around. This happened during the night because it was fine at 8pm but by morning it was really bad. I'll let everyone know how she is after we've gone out there tonight. I'll try to get pics.