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Discussion on White Spot on Side of Eye
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Member:
tunatime
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 - 9:03 am:
Dr O, we have been treating our 4 y/o Paint gelding for about two months for a spot that showed up on the side of his eye just off the cornea. When first noticed it was about the size of a small nail head, white, opague,raised a little, but did not appear to be causing any discomfort. We had our Vet check it and he put him on an ointment of Neomycin, Polymysin B and Dexamethasone to see if it would clear it up. We have had mixed results with this treatment. Seems like as long as we are putting the ointment in the eye the spot does not get any bigger and may actually be getting a tad smaller. Also it has become flatter and sometimes changes from the opaque white color to a translucent appearance like a blister that has popped. If we stop the ointment for a couple of days the spot starts to get bigger again. Our Vet wants to go ahead and knock the horse out and take the spot off the eye but with the hot summer Florida heat he would like to hold off until the weather cools a bit and continue with the ointment to try and control the growth. At this point he is not real sure what the growth is. I have attached a picture of the eye so you can see what we are talking about. Looking for a second opinion and some guidance. I don't want to knock the horse out in this heat if we can avoid it. Is there anything else we could try before we go the surgical route? And, what does it look like to you the problem is? 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 - 6:35 am:
Both scar or cancer is possible but if a scar why is it forming. This area is prone to squamous cell carcinoma but this would not be a typical appearance. The history of recurrent vesicle (blister) formation and popping could cause a scarring but again why does the vesicle form? I don't have an answer.
I am uncertain what the concern is about the anesthesia. Yes it is hot and humid but pick the coolest part of the day in a shady spot and I don't think there are any additional health problems.
DrO
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Member:
tunatime
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Posted on Monday, Aug 4, 2008 - 9:48 am:
Dr O, sorry for taking so long to get back. First, thanks for answering my post. You have the same questions we have. Surgery was done on the eye this morning and a couple of sports were removed, the big one to the rear of the cornea and a much smaller one under the eye lid at the front of the eye. Our Vet mentioned the possibility of Habronema after he got a real good look at the growths. Anyway, samples are being sent to the lab for a definitive answer. I'll keep you posted. Jim
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Member:
tunatime
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 8:51 am:
Dr O, the lab results came back this morning and are not as good as we had hoped. Squamous Cell Carcinoma with well defined margins... I just finished reading your page on Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma so we have a better idea of what we are in for over the long haul. Since we have a tremendous amount of faith in our Vet we are going to follow his advice for further treatment and see where it takes us. Jim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 6:36 pm:
Good Jim, when caught early surgical removal is very effective. What is your veterinarians plans?
DrO
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Member:
tunatime
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 - 9:35 pm:
As of this morning he feels that he got it all. There were a total of three spots, the one in the picture and two others under the upper eye lid and toward the front of the eye that were about the size of a pin head. The immediate plan is to keep a very close watch on things and hope for the best. We did put him in a fly mask to breakup the Florida sun as much as possible. The eye looks good with only some redness toward the back of the eye. We have been putting chlorophenocol ointment in it daily since the surgery. Any suggestions? Our vet is very open minded and receptive to suggestions so he won't mind if I propose something to him. Jim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 8:11 am:
Jim, the literature and oncologist recommends follow up treatment and this is described at, Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In small lesions I have had success with just surgical removal.
DrO
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Member:
tunatime
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 10:48 am:
Dr O, thanks for the input. Sounds like we are all on the same sheet of music. Time will tell what the final outcome will be. I will keep you posted, but hope that is not necessary. By the way, remember a couple years ago the horse Babe that fell out of the horse trailer and had the massive wounds on her front shoulder, side, and hip? She is ours and it is now 2 1/2 years post accident and she has made a 100% recovery. Sure there's some scaring but she can sure keep up with the rest of the herd and is being ridden occasionally. We have a trail ride planned with her next spring. A very happy ending!! Jim
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 2:24 am:
Jim, I didn't want to hijack your post by asking, so THANK YOU, for the news on Babe!!!
Best of luck with this horse.
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 5:54 am:
Congratulations on Babe - that's excellent news!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 6:37 am:
Thanks for the update Jim and let me continue the congratulations.
DrO
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 7:11 am:
Jim, I'm so happy to hear that Babe made a 100% recovery. Congratulations and kudos to you for giving her such fabulous care.
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