The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Clarebelle on June 17, 2015, 08:17:16 am

Title: eye infection in lamb
Post by: Clarebelle on June 17, 2015, 08:17:16 am

I have a cade lamb who has an eye infection but I can't seem to find any information about treating it. There seems to be lots online about pink eye but I don't think this is the same. Its just the one lamb so far, the eye lids are pink and look sore but the eye is clear. There is discharge coming from the eye. The eye lids do not look inverted so I don't think it is the eye lids being turned in.

I will be ringing the vet later but as we are on an island they cannot come out to see us straight away so does anyone have any suggestions for how to initially treat the eye? would eye drops for people relieve some of the symptoms? The lamb is 5 weeks old btw.  :sheep:

Title: Re: eye infection in lamb
Post by: Kimbo on June 17, 2015, 08:42:15 am

Sorry no idea about the cause but I do know that when my cat got a serious eye injury he was prescribed human eye drops. On the bottle was a label with my cat's name on and instructions to him not to drive or operate complex machinery while using the meds!!

Title: Re: eye infection in lamb
Post by: Hellybee on June 17, 2015, 10:47:04 am

Speak to vet x

Title: Re: eye infection in lamb
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 17, 2015, 10:56:37 am

I wouldn't risk human ointments, personally.

While waiting for the vet to come, if you have another sheep-keeper, or a dairy farmer nearby that you can ask, you could try to get some Orbenin cream.  It will soothe and may heal, depending on the cause of the infection.  (It's used for eye infections in sheep, cattle, horses, dogs and cats, and also for mastitis in cattle - hence why a dairy farmer may be able to help ;))

Otherwise, bathing in cooled boiled water will probably provide some relief.

And of course, if you can take and post a pic, there may be other ideas from the folks on here ;)

Title: Re: eye infection in lamb
Post by: Clarebelle on June 17, 2015, 01:58:17 pm

thanks everyone! There are plenty of local farms, i'll try and see if anyone has some orbenin while we wait for the vet.

Title: Re: eye infection in lamb
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on June 17, 2015, 02:00:19 pm

Quote from: Clarebelle on June 17, 2015, 08:17:16 am

I have a cade lamb who has an eye infection but I can't seem to find any information about treating it. There seems to be lots online about pink eye but I don't think this is the same. Its just the one lamb so far, the eye lids are pink and look sore but the eye is clear. There is discharge coming from the eye. The eye lids do not look inverted so I don't think it is the eye lids being turned in.

I will be ringing the vet later but as we are on an island they cannot come out to see us straight away so does anyone have any suggestions for how to initially treat the eye? would eye drops for people relieve some of the symptoms? The lamb is 5 weeks old btw.  :sheep:

How about making an infusion of chamomile tea and bathing the eye 3 times daily, it might help soothe it. :)