Last Updated on May 25, 2022
If your horse has an eye problem, you might consider putting Monistat in horse’s eye. But what exactly is Monistat, what is it used for, and should you put it into your horse’s eye? Let’s find out!
What Is Monistat? – Putting Monistat In Horse’s Eye
Monistat is a human medication used to treat vaginal yeast infections. It is an antifungal medication, and its active ingredient is miconazole nitrate. It normally comes in two forms – a topical cream, and a vaginal insert.
This cream is very effective against growth of a fungus named Candida albicans, the common cause of genital thrush infections in humans.
So why do some people suggest putting Monistat in horse’s eye? After all, it is clearly not intended to be used on horses, and certainly not in the eyes!
The idea is not as crazy as it sounds, but putting Monisat in your horse’s eye should never be done unless prescribed by your veterinarian. Let’s find out why!
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Putting Monistat In Horse’s Eye – A Good Idea?
Monistat contains miconazole nitrate, which is a powerful and effective antifungal agent. Miconazole nitrate is used as an antifungal agent when treating horses with fungal eye problems, also known as fungal keratitis.
So, if your veterinarian suggests treating your horse with miconazole nitrate, should you save a few dollars and buy some Monistat instead?
Absolutely not! Just because Monistat contains the same active ingredient as the medication prescribed by your veterinarian, it does not mean you can use the human product instead. This is because the strength of the active ingredient in Monistat may not be the same as the veterinary product. If it is stronger and more concentrated, it may cause considerable irritation to the horse’s eye.
The other reason why using Monistat is not a good idea is that it is not the most effective antifungal treatment for eye problems in horses. While miconazole nitrate can be effective against some forms of fungal infection, your veterinarian is more likely to prescribe medications such as natamycin, ketoconazole, and itraconazole.
Monistat 1-Day Yeast Infection Treatment, Prefilled
How To Treat Fungal Eye Infections In Horses
The first thing to remember when treating any type of eye problem in horses is that veterinary advice must always be sought. Eye problems in horses are treated as a medical emergency, as any delay in treatment can potentially increase the chances of the horse becoming blind or even losing the eye. Never be tempted to leave eye problems for a day or two, as this could make all the difference between your horse making a full recovery or losing his sight!
Your veterinarian will carry out a range of tests to identify the cause of the eye problem in your horse. Fungal eye infections in horses can be difficult to diagnose, and even harder to treat. They range in severity, but all types require aggressive and intensive treatment.
If your horse is diagnosed with a fungal eye infection, your veterinarian may suggest using a device called an ocular lavage catheter. This is a fine piece of tubing that is inserted through the upper eyelid of the horse and sutured in place. This enables the medication to be administered at regular intervals, without the stress of trying to put eye drops or ointment directly into the eye.
The reason that this device is necessary is that your veterinarian may prescribe up to four different eye medications to treat fungal eye infections, and each of these will need to be administered several times a day. For this reason, it is common for horses with fungal eye infections to be hospitalized for intensive treatment, as the treatment schedule is too demanding for most horse owners.
Alongside eye medication, your horse may also need systemic medication such as intravenous antifungals, antibacterials, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Many of these can only be administered by a veterinary professional.
In very severe cases of fungal eye infections, surgical treatment may be required. This involved debriding the damaged tissues on the surface of the eye, to promote healthy cell growth. In some cases, a flap of conjunctival tissue is sutured over the affected area to help heal the damaged surface of the eye.
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Summary – Putting Monistat In Horse’s Eye
So, as we have learned, putting Monistat in horse’s eye is not a good idea! This is a human medication, formulated to treat vaginal yeast infections. Your veterinarian may suggest using Monistat or a similar product to treat eye problems in your horse, but only after a full diagnostic evaluation.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on putting Monistat in horse’s eye! Have you heard any other weird or dangerous suggestions for eye treatments for horses? Or maybe you’ve had a lot of success in treating horse-eye infections using a different method? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
FAQ’s
Why Do Horses Get Eye Infections?
Horses can get eye infections for many different reasons. Eye infections can be caused by exposure to dust, pollen, or other foreign bodies in the eye. They can also be caused by bacterial or viral infections.
How Do You Treat Irritated Eye In Horses?
If your horse's eye is irritated, check carefully for any other signs of infection or injury. Eye problems in horses can quickly become very serious, and veterinary advice should be sought if you have any concerns. A mild saline solution can be used to wipe away discharge from around the eye.
Can You Use Human Eye Ointment On Horses?
You should never put any ointment in a horses eye without a veterinary prescription. Some ointments may cause more harm than good, leading to serious eye problems and potential blindness or loss of the eye.
How Long Do Horse Eye Ulcers Take To Heal?
The time it takes for a horse eye ulcer to heal depends on the severity of the ulcer and how quickly treatment is started. A mild ulcer that is treated quickly will start to heal within a few days, whereas a deep ulcer that is left untreated may require several weeks or even months of intensive nursing care.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE
