RE: [RC] [RC] Need tips for giving eye meds. - ladurgin
I have a question. Since this is a new vet for me, I don't know if I can trust them yet. (lost a horse last month). How long did your vet treat your horse initially? My vet has him on predisone and atropine , bute for a week, . Then he wants to recheck the eye in 2 weeks. And he did say we may need a round of antibiotics . But I remeber him saying you are supposed to maybe treat it for a month after it is clear. I don't know if he was suggesting it or what.(I am going to call and ask him, but we are in an economically depressed area and he may say that as an out for people...) Since we don't know the cause .... should I suggest a blood test for lepto? Or would it make a difference? I know the first and 2nd episodes (about a week apart that lasted 2-3 days) it had been very windy with rain and I wondered if he just got something in his eye.... but there were 4 episodes in a month roughly (2-3 days each till now,and it seems to then stayed).
Since someone said to treat this aggressively, I don't want to miss anything that may help.
I stilll am not sure I am actually getting enough in, it's above the eye, around and in the corners--- it's like trying to hit a bullseye on a strobe..... He does appreciate the cookie after...
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:36:25 -0500 From: rdcarrie@xxxxxxxxx To: ladurgin@xxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Need tips for giving eye meds. CC: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ok...I hope this explanation makes sense. Look at his eyelid. See that crease (fold) in the upper eyelid? Insert the tip of your index finger into that crease. Slide the eyelid UPWARD. It's very important that you concentrate on pushing *upward,* not inward, as inward will put pressure on the eyeball. It helps to have someone hold his halter. If you're doing it correctly, the eyelid will kinda fold down over the top of your finger as you slide it up. As you're doing this, use your thumb to pull the lower eyelid down. Squirt the stuff in the front inner part of the eye, and release both eyelids. It takes a little practice, so you might want to try it a time or two without trying to insert the meds till you get proficient. Just remember to slide upward. It helps if you hold your hand flat against his head, with your index finger pointing up, rather than having your hand some distance away with your finger pointing *at* him...that way your finger will push the eyelid up.
I told the vet I'd probably need to come by and get a couple tubes as half would end up on the ground. Most of my vet books show two handed methods. I know about trying to give it by placing my hand above his eye. But its' a match race between his eyes muscles clamping shut and my trying one handed to get some in. He isn't fighting me too much as I have dicuseed it with him, (and a few apple bits help)--- but I am getting most of it above his lid at he lash line, hoping it will melt into the eye. Therefore, I am also putting lots more than 2 or 3 drops above(, around, and under for that matter) the eyes.I also tried the inner corner , but again , even though he is tied, I can't pry his eye open like those pictues in the vet books. (How do they get those pictures?, bet they are on "happy" meds first....) I want this to be effective--as blindness could result if it isn't treated right. ---- I just didn't think a Levage would work as he is talented with rubbing. I'd have to encase him in beach balls and stall him with company. And the company would have to wear a muzzle and I'd have to rope the barn off from "levage-removing helpers, and stall door openers ". (all very talented, think monkey/horse) So any tips? Am I going to be able to get enough meds in? Am I in danger of getting to much in.? Course one is liquid-(so I can see drops and the other , though it says 2-3 drops is, an ointment! BTW I have given eye meds before, but had enough ignorance, that I was told to put a 1/2 inch line on the upper lid at the lash line and it would melt in. I was very happy in my ignorance...
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