What does conjunctivitis in horses look like?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the inner lining (pink tissue) of the upper and lower eyelids. This results in a “red eye”. The other clinical signs of conjunctivitis in the horse include swelling, and discharge (tearing, mucoid, mucopurulent).

How do I know if my horse has an eye infection?

ERU symptoms can include redness, swelling, squinting, sensitivity to light, and pus in the eye. If uveitis becomes a chronic condition, your horse’s eyes may begin to look cloudy or cataracts may form.

Can you use human eye ointment on horses?

Yes. You can put Visine drops in your horse’s eyes if they are irritated.

How do you treat pink eye in horses?

Commonly, horses are put on a combination of medications, including both topical and oral medications to treat the symptoms and the underlying cause. Topical broad-spectrum antibiotics such as Neopolybac are one of the most common medications used in the treatment of conjunctivitis.

Why is the white of my horses eye red?

This inflammation may be due to dust or fly irritation or can be due to infection. Most simple cases improve quickly with eye drops or ointment that can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Severe bilateral (both eyes) ‘brick red’ conjunctivitis can be seen in horses with Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) infection.

What causes goopy eyes in horses?

Your veterinarian can flush out duct blockages. Gray or black grime is most likely debris from a dusty environment. The eye tries to wash away these irritants, but they often become trapped in the fluid, forming the gunk that collects at the inner corner of the eye.

How do you treat sore eyes in horses?

Your vet may begin treatment with an ointment or gel to apply to the eye multiple times a day. 4 If the infection is bacterial, your vet may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops. A horse with a fungal eye infection is likely to be prescribed a topical anti-fungal and may need surgery if ulcers are present.

What do you do for a horse with conjunctivitis?

What eye drops can I use on my horse?

Drugs that have been documented to penetrate into the aqueous humor in normal horse eyes include doxycycline, chloramphenicol and enrofloxacin. Doxycycline was also present in the pre-ocular tear film. Trimethoprim-sulfa combinations are also frequently used in horses due to their ease of use and cost.

How do you get rid of conjunctivitis in horses?

Once your vet confirms a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, they will likely prescribe your horse topical antibiotic cream, eye drops, or ointment to banish all signs of infection. In between applications, be sure to administer Vetericyn’s eye wash twice a day to keep the eye clean and clear during treatment.