My Horse Has a Bloody Eye Infection

Horses are powerful animals. However, despite their size and strength, horses are just as vulnerable to infection as any other living thing. Sometimes, you will notice your horse bleeding from its eye. This is definitely a cause for concern. If you notice this, it may indicate a serious and chronic disease.

  1. Equine Recurrent Uveitis

    • A bloody eye infection can indicate Equine Recurrent Uveitis, or ERU, is a chronic eye infection that occurs in some horses. The condition is not constant; instead, ERU occurs and disappears in an ongoing cycle. This is a serious condition that needs to be dealt with immediately. Unfortunately, the prognosis is not good with this infection.

    Symptoms

    • Aside from bleeding inside the eye, there are many symptoms of ERU. Specifically, you may notice blood vessels on the eyelids and sides of the eye. The horse may also show an aversion to light, squint frequently, shake its head or rub its eye. Coordination can also be affected, which results in tripping and poor balance.

    Causes

    • ERU is triggered by a variety of infections. The bacteria that causes this infection is called leptospriosis. Viruses responsible for ERU are known as equine herpes and the flu virus. Parasites, such as onchocerca can also cause this disease. In all cases, ERU is triggered by a response from the horse's immune system.

    Treatment

    • Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, like penicillin or streptomycin. A variety of drug treatments will be necessary for dealing with the discomfort and inflammation. Unfortunately, ERU can never be fully cured. The condition may worsen over time, until there is no other alternative but to surgically remove the affected eye.