It might be surprising to find out a horse can get a sinus infection, but this problem can be very uncomfortable---especially since a horse's sinus cavities take up a very large portion of its head. It is important to correctly diagnose and treat the infection in order to help the horse feel better, and prevent a more serious condition from occurring.
Instructions
Recognize the signs of a sinus infection for a horse. The biggest indicator is a thick discharge coming from the nostrils, often only on one side, and usually it has a foul odor. Some of the other symptoms include eye discharge, a change in the face's appearance, or breathing that appears labored.
If the horse in question displays any or all of these symptoms, make an appointment with its veterinarian, who will be able to confirm whether the horse has a sinus infection or something else. There are other conditions, such as dental problems, that exhibit similar symptoms, so it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Use antibiotics to treat the infection. It may be necessary for the vet to drill a tiny hole into the horse's sinus in order to obtain a sample. Then he will be able to determine what type of bacteria are present in order to prescribe the correct antibiotics, and to rule out a more serious infection, such as strangles (equine distemper). If necessary, the vet will also place a drain into the sinus in order to allow the pus to drain out and to flush out the sinus cavities. This will help the antibiotics treat the infection more easily.
Monitor the horse closely, and make note of anything out of the ordinary. If the infection gets worse, or if it seems like it is not improving, call the vet for a re-evaluation, and to determine what other steps should be taken.