Pink eye

CarolynRenee · #1 11/05/08, 06:43 PM

I've had a Lamancha doe who's been having problems with pink eye. She's had it in her right eye probably 6 - 7 times in a year, and today she had it in BOTH eyes.

I've tried several medicines and remedies, but of course, it just seems to "help" it, not keep it away.

She's over a year old & also has skin problems (about 1/2 dozen absesses, although not CL), so I've decided not to breed her (which was my original intention).

I've been struggling with the though of having her put down because of her not-so-great health, but I'm pretty much sure I should. I have three other goats (Doe in milk, her doeling & a wether) and have been "lucky" enough to not have had any of them get pink eye.

Any suggestions / comments are welcomed.

Drewusa81 · #2 11/05/08, 07:22 PM

When I first had goats I had a Pink eye problem. I read up about it and tried a method that reccomended first squirting the eye with Saline solution that people use for contact lenses. It said this was to change the PH level in the eye. Next, after whiping the eye clean with a piece of paper tower (new piece for each eye) I applied a generous layer of Walmart brand cheap triple aniti biotic ointment all around the eye. I did this for a week and it cleared the pink eye right up. Don't know if you have tried this method but its worth a shot as it worked great for me.

CarolynRenee · #3 11/05/08, 07:40 PM

Yes, the triple antibiotic goo is what I used. It does clear up, but seems to come back too often.

Is pink eye curable? I didn't think it was and I'd hate for the rest of my small herd to catch it. Even when she doesn't have an obviously swollen eye, she seems to be tearing a lot, actually, almost every day & I'm assuming that the tearing my carry the infection also.

Drewusa81 · #4 11/05/08, 08:05 PM

I forgot to mention that I also gave a shot of LA200 but I can't think of the does off the top of my head. I really don't think there is a cure for pink eye and like you said, be carefull of it spreading because it spreads easy from one goat to the other.

Chaty · #5 11/05/08, 10:23 PM

I use the medicated loose minerals that have tetracycline in it for cattle. I didnt have a single case of pinkeye this year. Ask your feed guy which mineral to get. They will know which 1 is the medicated mineral. I use the Purina loose mineral, it sure helped me and you might need to give her more than 1 shot with maybe Nuflor for a few days to really get rid of it, and it might be a sign that she has something else if it keeps returning.