One of my lambs has a runny eye, it started out about a week ago and it just seemed like it was tearing. I thought maybe she scratched it on hay or something. After a couple days she still had a tear streak on her cheek. I started to use a puffer powder once per day. It didnt seem to have any affect. Today it is slightly thicker looking than the teary look at first. Her eye looks clear-not pink or anything, I also wonder if maybe it is more the tear duct rather than the eye. Should I call the vet, or what else should I try?

I also noticed that the last feed that I bought, lamb grower, is medicated. I only have 2 lambs, not a feed lot of confinement animals- should I be using medicated feed? My first thought was I would rather not, I have never fed medicated feed to any other livestock weve had. I also thought that since the chickens are always cleaning up the left overs maybe it wouldnt be good for them. It lists that it is fatal to horses, no mention of chickens. Thanks, Tami in WI

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), May 16, 2000

Answers

Tami, how old is your lamb? Entropion is a condition with newborns/little ones where the eyeball isn't quite big enough to fit into the eye socket yet, so the lamb's eyelashes turn inward and irritate the eyeball until it grows bigger. Is this what's happening? I have had luck treating for it by using an eye antibiotic and turning the eyelashes out several times a day. I have heard that some people tape the eyelashes out of the lids. Last year I had a ewe lamb with it bad enough that I had temporary staples put in her lids. This is an inherited condition, so you might not want to breed b/c of it.

If the lamb is older, sounds like she has something in her eye. (?)

I don't used medicated feed. There is a posting for an online vet on the forum here somewhere... Sorry I have to run and don't have time to find it for you. Good luck.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), May 17, 2000.

If the medication is Lasalocid, Bovatec or Decox, Decoxinate, then this is fatal to your horse. If it is just a "myacin" for shipping fever and pnemonia than it won't hurt anything. Make sure you make any changes from one feed to another slowly, even when they state they have the same protein. Because one may have soybean meal as protein and the other might have fish and feather meal! Might want to have a more experienced goat or sheep person look at your ewe's eye, though if it is clear I doubt that it is enverted eye lid. Usually the lashes scrathing the lense will cause the eye to go cloudy and weep. And is usually noticed right after birth. We have sucessfully treated this with a small incission in the eye, sort of like undoing a zippler on to small of jeans. Teramyacin may help if it is an infection, but if it was pinkeye both eyes would usually be affected and the other lamb. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 17, 2000.

It is only on the one lamb and in one eye, she is almost 5 months old. What sort of drug is Teramyacin, and it is an injection?

The medication is Lasalocid. I guess that next time I go in I will see if they have it with out the medication.

Thanks for reminding me of the online vet. I had forgotten that, I have the address too. It is tim@vetontheweb.com just in case anyone else needs it. Thanks

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), May 17, 2000.

Its found in most larger feed stores, and can be ordered through a catalog. It is an ointment and when purchased for my vet is perscription for peoples eyes! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 17, 2000.

In the early stages of entropion there is just excessive tearing. There is usually some squinting also. As the condition progresses the cornea becomes damaged and will develop a blue haze or in advanced cases will turn black at the site of rubbing. The rate of progression is very variable and is affected by a lot of factors. An experienced sheep person could help you make the diagnosis and of course you're vet could also. If you can take a good, steady look at the eye you might be able to tell if the eyelid rolls under or not. It usually is a lower lid and the smooth edge rolls under itself so that the eyelashes actually rub on the surface of the eye. Other possible causes are conjunctivitis (allergic, infectious), an injury to the lids, eyeball etc., a blocked tear duct and a foreign body (piece of hay etc.) Terramycin would help only with a bacterial conjunctivitis.

-- teresa (teresam@ascent.net), May 17, 2000.

Yes, do check for foreign bodies - we can get a lot of "pink-eye" problems due to grass-seeds.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 18, 2000.