Page 1005 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

With your hand fixed against the horse’s cheek, there is less danger of the nozzle poking the

eye as your hand will follow any sudden movement of the horse’s head.
VetBooks.ir HYGIENE GUIDELINES

• Always wash your hands before applying treatment.

• Ensure the nozzle of the tube or syringe is not contaminated with dirt or discharge.
• Use a separate tube for each horse to avoid cross infection.

• Throw away any partly used tubes when the condition has resolved. All medication must

be used within a month of the tube being opened.

The use of ocular lavage systems

When frequent medication is needed over a period of time, the horse often becomes fractious
and resentful. It is much easier for all concerned if a subpalpebral lavage or nasolacrimal duct
irrigation system is fitted.

SUBPALPEBRAL LAVAGE SYSTEM

With this system, medication is administered through a purpose-designed catheter passed
through the eyelid and sutured in place (Figure 21.22). The long, free end of the catheter is

sutured at intervals as is passes backwards between the ears and along the neck. The
medication can either be introduced through a syringe (Figure 21.23) or the end of the tube

may be attached to a continuous drip or pump system.