Happy new year everyone. I hope 2022 is a great year for you and your beautiful 4 legged friends.
This week we have seen a high number of traumatic skin injuries. A few due to the presence of hay contractors and a few bad luck incidents.
Several have been to the face and I have been contacted by clients to ask about ointments and creams that can be applied to this region.
Here are my tips:
Any ointment that is applied to the face needs to be assessed for its safety to the eyes. This is because due to rain, sweat and rubbing, these treatments can end up in the eyes and we have seen nasty caustic burns to the cornea as a result.
Use creams that are safe to the cornea.
Avoid sprays as they can easily enter the eyes.
Use fly repellant as needed but apply with a sponge to the area below the eye and to the muzzle only: Be careful over the forehead.
Flamazine cream is a long standing favourite of mine for injuries to the face and this would be my preferred recommendation. It is safe if it enters the eye.
You can also use eye ointments as a topical antibiotic to face injuries.
Just a reminder, injuries to horse eyes are a scary thing, so let’s be extra careful and cautious.