Across the world, thousands of working animals are suffering from treatable and preventable eye problems due to the harsh climates and hazardous environments in which they live and work.
Working horses, donkeys and mules can suffer from a number of common eye conditions. In fact, eye problems are something that SPANA vets at our veterinary centres and mobile clinics encounter every day. In 2023, we provided sight-saving eye treatment to 17,992 working animals.
If you’re wondering about common eye conditions in horses or want to know about the signs of eye issues in horses and donkeys, read on to find out how the global animal welfare charity SPANA is transforming the lives of working animals suffering from eye problems.
Common eye conditions in horses
SPANA vets treat working animals with eye conditions every day. With all eye problems in horses, it’s really important to get the animal checked by a veterinary professional. This is because, if left untreated, a scratch from a low-hanging branch or a small piece of dirt from a dusty road can escalate into a serious condition and even lead to sight loss.
Here are some of the common eye conditions in horses:
- Conjunctivitis: An irritated eye often caused by dusty conditions, a foreign object entering the eye, allergies or infections. You can read the story of how SPANA vets in Ethiopia helped a horse with conjunctivitis.
- Corneal Ulcer: Caused by a trauma to the eye. For example, an accidental scratch on the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye) can cause an ulcer on the eyeball, which can be extremely painful. Left untreated, ulcers can cause serious long-term issues. They are very painful and, in the worst cases, can cause the eyeball to rupture. Find out how SPANA vets in Zimbabwe helped a donkey with an injured eye.
- Blocked tear duct: When tears are unable to drain from the eye normally, it can cause discomfort and serious issues. SPANA vets in Mauritania were on hand to help a horse with a blocked tear duct.
- Habronemiasis: A parasitic infection transmitted by flies that affects the area around an animal’s eyes, as well as their mouth and any open wounds. Read how SPANA help horses with habronemiasis.
Signs of eye issues in horses and donkeys
SPANA vets know the signs and symptoms of eye issues in horses and donkeys. That’s why our charity provides vital training to the owners of working animals so that they know what to look out for and when to seek professional veterinary care for their animals. We also provide training to fellow veterinary professionals so that they can reach and treat even more working animals in need.
Signs of eye issues in horses and donkeys include, but are not limited to:
- Visibly sore, weeping eyes
- Squinting
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Tearing, or ocular discharge
- Red, inflamed inner eyelid (conjunctiva)
How to treat eye conditions in equids
Thankfully, sight-saving treatment is possible. Depending on the condition, treatments for eye conditions in equids include:
- Flushing the eye with a saline solution to remove any foreign objects or dust
- Anti-inflammatories for pain and to decrease inflammation
- Application of a topical antibiotic eye ointment for bacterial infections
- Anti-parasitic treatment, if the eye condition has been caused by parasites
- A nasolacrimal duct flush, if the animal’s tear duct has become blocked
SPANA vets will perform a full ocular examination using an ophthalmoscope. They will check for signs of infection or damage to the surface of the eye, then clean the eye thoroughly. They may check to see if there is any damage to the cornea with a harmless fluorescein eye stain.
The vets will also show the animal’s owner how to administer any necessary treatment at home and advise them how to keep the animal’s eye clean during the healing process. They may also be asked to bring their animal back to SPANA for further treatment and check-ups.
Although it is difficult to prevent eye conditions in equids, there are some measures that owners can take. For example, when with their animal, owners can ensure that their path is clear so that their animal’s eyes won’t get injured by obstacles such as tree branches, low-hanging signs, etc. Owners can also ensure that their animal’s shelter is safe and clean, with no sharp edges or splinters that could damage their eyes.
Owners can also fit their animal with fly masks or fringes to protect their eyes from insects. This is a good preventative measure for seasons when the insect population increases dramatically.
Preventing equine eye conditions in Ethiopia
SPANA vets in Ethiopia provide and fit working animals with fly masks and fringes to act as a preventative measure against flies during the dry season. The team designed masks using accessible and affordable materials, such as old clothes and mosquito nets, and then trained the community in how to make and fit them. Our vets also conduct community training sessions and display information posters at our centres and mobile clinics on the prevention of eye conditions and when to seek veterinary care.
The kind donations from our supporters enable our vet teams to act quickly and prevent minor and easily treatable eye problems from developing into debilitating illnesses. Their support is helping to equip SPANA centres and mobile clinics with vital sight-saving medication, allowing SPANA’s dedicated vet teams to prevent suffering and save the sight of working animals. If you’re interested in supporting SPANA, learn how you can get involved.