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Discussion on Eye injuries
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Member:
gwenyth
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Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2010 - 3:06 pm:
Dr. O. - I have an 11 year old grey mare that I have owned for 2 years. My horses are turned out 24/7, but have access to stalls for run ins.
Last December, my mare presented with a very swollen RIGHT eye one evening. It did not resolve by morning, so I had my vet out that afternoon, and she determined that there were corneal scratches with a constricted pupil, and I administered gentamycin sulfate DrOps, flurbuprofin, and atropine as directed. The eye was significantly better the next day, and she recovered without incident. Two weeks ago, she had a similar issue with the LEFT eye, and I took her immediately to the vet, and the mare had two small scratches on her cornea, as if she had been stuck in the eye by some hay. Again, I administered gentamycin and flurbuprofin, by not the atropine, as the pupil was normal in appearance. Again, the eye was substantially better 12 hours later, and I had the vet look at her 7 days later, and the eye was completely healed. Yesterday, the mare's RIGHT eye was all swollen, so I immediately took her to the vet, this time the pupil was constricted and a small spot was found on her cornea, so I am treating the eye with the 3 types of DrOps again. The eye is nearly OK 12 hours later, though is of course light sensitive due to the atropine.
My Questions: Is this mare just getting herself into trouble, or is the fact that she has had 3 eye "issues" since December a warning for me that she might be developing ERU? My vet is very competent for routine care, but do I need to get a 2nd opinion from an opthalmologist - my closest one probably being at the State university 4 hours away.
Thanks, Nancy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 8:30 am:
Hello Nancy,
This is a question for your veterinarian who has seen the eyes but the focal lesions and response to eye medications without steroids suggest trauma to me. Does your horse have prominent eyes and have to travel through the woods?
DrO
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Member:
gwenyth
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 8:58 am:
Yes, the mare has a large head with big eyes. I tried to put an X-large fly mask on her yesterday, but there was no room for her eyes!
She is not in the woods, BUT she is very sensitive, and will rub her face if I do not clean it immediately after taking off the bridle. I suddenly remembered last night that I caught her rubbing her forehead and eye lid on her stall guard earlier this week. Since the stall guard is smooth, I thought nothing of it, but now I bet it played a role.
Your thought that trauma is the culprit is what my vet does think as well. She is not an equine specialist, however, so I felt better double checking with you!
The eye looks completely normal despite the atropine - when do you think it would it be safe to begin exercising her again - just some light walk and trot work initially. She tends to be an easy keeper, so I feed no grain and depend on daily exercise (as per your website)
Thanks!
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 12:15 pm:
Nancy we had a mare who last fall presented with a bad corneal scratch which took quite a while to heal, and just as it was finally 95% healed she re-injured the same eye. So I can commiserate a bit .. what those ponies won't do to keep us busy! 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 9:17 am:
I see no reason listed above to stop work now but again this is a question that must be directed at the veterinarian who examined the horse.
DrO
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Member:
gwenyth
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 9:51 am:
Dr. O. - Thanks for your advice and I will call her tomorrow.
And Shannon - LOL!
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 10:53 am:
Nancy,
Since your horse seems to be prone to rubbing, and reinjuring her eyes, why not try mesh goggles.
I am not suggesting a fly face screen, but a piece of equipment that standardbred race horses use to dull the sometime spooky things racehorses see on the track. I think if you check www.Bigdweb.com they have it there under hoods and accessories.
The reason I am recommending the mesh goggles/hood and not a regular hood with half or full cups is that it will accomplish several things. 1. It is full eye protection, so, whether she is rubbing on something or poking her eyes she will be protected. 2. It lets air in because of the mesh. and 3.It will not obstruct her normal peripheral vision. So, if she is in a herd situation, she can still see everything.
Good luck
Rachelle
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Member:
gwenyth
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 1:03 pm:
Wow - what a great idea! I never knew such things existed, though in my mind that is what is needed. She is part draft, and has a large head (and is also nosy!).
I have had my three "boys" that she has been turned out with for many years, but (so far!) no problems with them.
Thanks for the tip and I'll let you know how they work out. I also think that this year their coats are really nasty and when I work her I have to be fastidious about cleaning her forehead and cheeks and that should help.
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