Friday, September 21, 2018

It's all fun and games until somebody tries to poke an eye out

After an entire summer of no rain, we've gotten loads of rain in the last two weeks. Which means loads of mold, and loads of bugs. Which also means that sensitive horses (like a certain grey wonderpony) get itchy eyes.

And they rub them.

And sometimes they rub them on sharp, pointy things, which then requires a vet call and a bunch of stitches.

Luckily it was just the eyelid - the eye has a small scratch on it but is otherwise OK.

Unfortunately there's a lot of local swelling, so it's not the prettiest thing.

He's on Banamine and Uniprim, plus an antibiotic eye ointment 4x/day. He can't have anything steroidal (which would speed healing) because Cushings horses cannot have steroids.  

Unfortunately, he tore his eyelid last Sunday - the day before the vet was supposed to come out for fall shots. He's been having vaccine reactions, so he now gets Banamine whenever he's vaccinated. Unfortunately, with his immune system already stressed from the eye, we can't do vaccinations until the eye is fully on the mend. 

Normally the timing of vaccines wouldn't be a problem, but he has to have flu/rhino at least 10 days before any rated show, and our third level debut show starts in 11 days. He was all set for a vet re-check this morning, when we were hoping he would be cleared for vaccinations, but then I got a call saying that he's torn the stitches. 

At this point all I'm not even disappointed about the show - all I care about is him healing up and getting better. Rushing his health right now, for the sake of a competition, is not something I'm willing to do. So we'll tell T to stop rubbing his face (poor guy!) and wait for the all-clear from the vet. Besides, this just gives us more time to perfect our still questionable lead changes.

Also moar time to feed moar cookies.

15 comments:

  1. Oh NOOOOOOOOOO! I am so sorry to read this. Both for T's sake and for yours, I know how much you've been looking forward to that show.

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    1. I'm really OK about it. I wasn't feeling completely prepared anyway, so now we have even more time to work on all the things. I just feel bad for T!

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    1. I think T was feeling unloved and wanted to see the vet. At least, that's my theory.

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  3. OOO - I have a gross eye injury if you are ever interested in seeing!

    Wait, I mean.... Aw T, that sucks (this is about T and you, not me). And I'm sorry you guys have to miss the show, that's rotten. I hope he heals up fast!

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    1. Actually eye injuries are now right up there with bleeding from the foot in my list of gross things. 6 inch long blood-dripping gash in the chest? No problem. Eye injury? I'm feeling slightly ill...

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  4. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Get better T. Jenj needs a bronze already!

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    1. Right? Or at least to show off the wonderpony in all his fanciness!

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  5. That sucks. Sorry to hear about his eye and the timing. I have had some trouble getting Harley on schedule with vaccines due to his need for allergy meds, which conflict with the immune response needed for vaccines. It can be really frustrating.

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    1. Yes, getting the timing right and not upsetting the delicate balance of all the things can be a challenge. But SO worth it!

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  6. So sorry to read this. What horrible timing and for a scary injury which makes it double unfun

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    1. Yeah it's kind of a gross injury. Really T, you had to try to rip off your eyelid???

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  7. ARGH! I hope he heals without complication. Such a huge bummer about the timing!

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    1. Well if you consider ripping out stitches as a complication, then we're past that. Um, yay?

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  8. Oh NOOOO! I'm not squeamish, but eye stuff freaks me out every time. Hope it heals quickly and completely :(

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