Swollen Eye and Nose x.x?

Question

Charlie, my 3 and half year old Thoroughbred, got into a bit of trouble. Today, I went out into the pasture to the left side of her face riddled with bumps and her eye and nose swollen. Any advice about something to put on. I put some swat around her eye and the bumps for now just to give her some relief of the flies but what could she have gotten into?

I thought she got kicked in the face but my dad is positive it's a bug bite. If it is a bug bite, what would do THAT? It looked like she was in a boxing match and she was continually itching it on everything. Me, the wall, the cross ties the bars of her feeder. We've been reccomended to put Teabags on it, what do you think?

Going to call the vet tommarrow if it's still really bad.

Answer 1

I am not a horse person but I would say that she shoved her face into a wasp's nest. They will sometimes build their

nests on the ground and if she was looking around for food and put her face in it they would fly up and sting her all over which would account for the bumps and the swelling. It would be very itchy and sore. Try her with some icepacks and see if that helps with the itchiness that would chill some of the pain too. (I stepped in a ground wasp nest when I was a kid and got over 24 stings so I know what it is like!)

Answer 2

Definitely sounds like she got into a wasp nest.  Or bald face hornets if you have them in your area.

Rubbing alcohol...

put on cotton balls or guaze and wet the bumps down with it.  It will reduce the pain and itching greatly.  Will also help reduce swelling.  It will continue to 'itch' though for the next couple of days.  After the rubbing alcohol...the next few days...use cool water or rags to soothe it.

Happens to mine every now and again...this is what was recommended to me...and it worked.

Please watch carefully for the nose swelling.  If it closes off the nasal passages...your horse CAN'T breathe.  If this happens, you can cut a garden hose into 6 inch pieces and gently put them in the nostrils to keep air moving....GET THE VET CALLED!!  Vaseline to 'coat' the hose for easier entry.  If it's swollen now...I would have these things ready...and would have a call into my vet to ask for his advice on when these things may be needed.  And how to do it...

Please do not try to insert the hoses without proper supervision or knowledge of how to do it.  Your vet can also give you an antihistamine to reduce inflammation..