The smaller of the twins, born 1-5-02, has matted eyes. She is eating well and looks good, but her eyes appear to be kind of crusty today. Any suggestions on what I should do or how I should treat it? I have washed her eyes and cleaned them. Thanks again, in advance. JoAnn

-- JoAnn Young (younguno@bellsouth.net), January 07, 2002

Answers

Have you looked closely at her eyelids? I'm new to goats, but newborn lambs can have an eyelid inverted and it makes their eyes very mattery. The eyeball itself is red and will sometimes even have an ulcerated place on it from the eylashes rubbing. As far as treatment, Grandpa could do a little "surgery" job on the eyelid to bring the lashes out, but I have no idea what he did....I'd think a vet would be the best idea for this. Hope this helps...poor little thing!

-- Cara Dailey (daileyd@agalis.net), January 07, 2002.

There sure seems to be alot of this going around. This is not Pinkeye season in the US anyway! Great 1st post, look closely at the eyelids and see if the lashes are pointing towards the eyeball itself. If they are scratching it then you can eaisly snip the eyelid in the center, this relaxes the skin, like opening your zipper after a big meal. Use cuticle sizzors and then just a dab of terremycin eye ointment. Usually you will only notice a very wet cheek on your kid, then the eye glazes over. If you don't see this problem you may want to use the terremycin anyway, or a hot wash cloth. If she is the only kid affected it isn't of concern, but if all kids in the kidding are affected, Mom may be harboring a vaginal infection. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 07, 2002.

See how much I know, my mentor just told me that they are plagued with pinkeye in the pacific northwest during breeding season, fall, and winter. So much so that she doesn't do much outside breeding because of it. So you could very well have pinkeye! We just rarely see it this time of the year! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 07, 2002.