Well here is the latest update on reds eye.  We had the vet do cultures so we could treat the infection with the right medicine.  The vet said that the eye was full of pus and infection.  K-State vets recamended that we use silvadine cream on the eyeball.  Silvadine cream has a broad sprectrum antibiotics and antifungal properties.  Continue the Banamine paste once a day, and atropine drops twice a day for five days.  Well on 11-29-07 I vent out to do the treatments and I noticied that the eye lid was turning out a little and there was a large amount of discharge.  When I opened the eye I noticed that the anterior chamber of the eye had ruptured.  I called the vet and told him what I had found and he said that the eye had probably ruptured and that it would have to be removed.  They said that they would remove the eye and then flush out the cavity to clear of infection.  Then they will remove a small piece of the upper and lower eyelid and suture the eye shut, so it will grow closed and help keep out any forign bodies.  They expect that it will take about two weeks to heel up and then the skin will start to sink in as much as the muscles will alow.  He will be on antibiotcs for five to seven days post op.  I hope all will go well but I think the good lord will be looking out for my beloved red.  I will update post surgical so you all can see how he is improving.  Until next time Live long and ride often.

Jon  Lazy J

Well here is an update on Red's eye.  There isn't much improvement at this time.  The vet wants me to go to K-State for an opthamolic exam.  After calling them it is determined that I can't afford that at this time.  So they are going to work with my local vet to gome up with a plan of care for Red.  On Monday we are going to do cultures for bacteria and for fungus.  Then we will hopefully be able to get the infection under control.  For the weekend we are using neomycin cream in the lower lid for to days four times a day.  And bamine paste once a day for three days.  The vet did say it wasn't as cloudy as it was but now is a greenish color.  I don't think he can see out of it.  I will continue to update as time goes on.  Thanks for your concerns and suport during this trying time.I think Red knows that I am trying to help him.  Untill next time

Lazy J

Well its been a while but I am back.  Unfortunatly I have some bad news.  My beloved mule and trail buddy has developed a corneal ulcer.  We don't know when or how this happened.  The vet stained the eye to find the ulcer.  Unfortunatly the eye has started to turn bluish grey and he is obvious in pain.  To treat we are using an antibiotic eye drops six times a day and Bute twice a day.  If we don't see marked improvement in 48 hours we will have to do a culture on the puss to see what to use to kill the infection.  It is yet unkown if he will loose the sight or the eye.  I will post again on Wendsday after the apointment and let you all know what is going on.  Has anyone ever had to deal with an corneal ulcer, if so what was done and what was the outcome.  I could use all the help that I can get during this time of crisis.  Has anyone ever ridden a horse or mule that was blind in one eye.  Thanks to you all

Lazy J

Howdy,

 I just returned from the St. Jude benifit trail ride.  Man we had a good time.  There were around 80 people at $10 per person.  We rode through Rock Creek Station in nebraska.  This place is along the pony express rout from the olden days.  I rode Red my mule, and my father-in-law rode his mule Spaky.  The trails were beautiful, but a little muddy in places.  The weather was in the 80's and a breez was blowing.  We had 5 others from our saddle club show up and that was nice.  In some places the trails cot a little rough, but the rougher the better for me.  Red didn't have any problems except crossing one creek.  He hates water crossing.  Something we need to work on.  We rode for 3 1/2 hours and afterwards had a real nice supper.  There was a tack raffle and each person entered received 1 ticket.  I won a pair of work gloves which means I probably am going to have to do some work.  All the money raised is going to St. Jude Childrens hospital which helps children with differant types of cancer.  This or any other charity dealing with cancer is near and dear to my heart because i am a cancer survivor for five years and my mom is a survivor for three years.  Well enogh for now and I hope to hear from others sometime.  I will hopefully post again when something else exciting happens.  Bye for now my friends.

Jon aka Lazy J