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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Eye Diseases » Anterior Uveitis, Recurrent Uveitis, Periodic Opthalmia, and Moonblindness »
  Discussion on Leptospirosis/communicability
Author Message

Posted on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 10:54 pm:

Hi--My mare (appaloosa) has recently recovered from what we believe to be her first known episode of ERU. (preliminary diagnosis). My stable owner has heard of the connection between leptospirosis and ERU, but doesn't really understand it. Despite my consultation with 5 equine vets, she remains convinced that my otherwise extremely healthy mare is contagious. She has her quarantined until I have lepto titers done, and told me to find another boarding facility if they're not done. I just got results back from the first draw, which showed very slight positivity to L. Bratislava. I also plan to move my mare to another stable. So, I'm now stuck trying to decide whether to proceed with the 2nd "convalescing" draw.....I truly feel it is not necessary and all 5 vets were opposed to running titers in the first place. My mare has been through a lot of stress and pain through all of this, and so has my pocket book. Any advice?

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2000 - 2:15 pm:

Did you point out to your stable owner that if this is the problem your horse contracted it while at their barn? Follow your vets advice since you are moving anyway.
DrO

Posted on Monday, May 22, 2000 - 12:04 am:

I did suggest to my stable owner that her unvaccinated dogs were "probably" more likely to spread disease than my mare. I think that might have sunk in! duh. This has been a real learning experience for me, let me tell ya! Thanks for your reply!

Posted on Friday, Jun 9, 2000 - 10:48 am:

Hi folks, perhaps you can help me. My mare, who is away to be bred, was just diagnosed with the same thing. Her only symptom has been the one eye. The vet injected her eye with antibiotics/cortisone and gave her bute, we are to put ointment in her eye 2-3x a day. My concern is one of contagion. Before I bring her home, I need to know if she's contagious or not. I read something about the bacteria being carried in the urine forever after. I have a breeding farm and boarders, and want to be sure to do the right thing. I've also heard about a vaccination. Should I consider this for my healthy stock? Sure hope someone can help. Thanks.

Posted on Saturday, Jun 10, 2000 - 12:23 pm:

Hello Misty,
Check out: The Horseman's Advisor: Equine Diseases: Reproductive Diseases: Problems Keeping Mares Pregnant: Leptospirosis & Abortion. Though not directly about moon blindness it has a lot of information on Lepto in horses, any questions you have can then be posted there.
DrO
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