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  Discussion on Atropine Sulfate in treating cataracts in horses
Author Message
New Member:
simba3

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008 - 12:08 am:

My old vet came by and asked me how my 23 yr old Arab was and I told him he was blind in one eye due to cataracts (peripheral vision in other eye). He told me that by using the above ointment (3 days in a row, stop for two weeks, then repeat) that it forces the pupil to stay open so the horse could see. In addition, after using this for some time by forcing the pupil to stay open it would end up"shattering the cataract". Huh??? I need your advice. I haven't had a chance to talk to my regular vet. I'm not doing anything until I talk to him (and you, of course). HELP!!!
Thanks!
Pam
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008 - 7:47 am:

Hello Pam,
I think he was talking about a synechiae: a thread of connective tissue that spans the pupil during inflammatory episodes of the anterior chamber of the eye. A cataract is in or on the lens and would not be effected by atropine. It may be possible to prevent synechiae or stretch the synechiae with atropine but I have not had much luck breaking them down.

In either case atropine use must be accompanied by keeping the horse out of the sun since the pupil cannot close down to limit the amount of light coming to the retinae. If you have ever been to the eye doctor and had your pupils dilated for an exam then gone back out into the sun you know what I am talking about here.
DrO
New Member:
simba3

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 1:02 am:

Thank you Dr. O.
One more question. With a fully developed cataract, there is absolutely no eyesight, right? I just want to be sure there is nothing else I can do for him.
Thanks,
Pam
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 7:06 am:

Pam,

Just a thought. Is eye surgery not an option here? About two years ago, my dog went blind almost overnight from cataracts due to complications from diabetes. Once we got her diabetes under control, she had cataract surgery on both eyes and they inserted lenses. She now sees perfectly fine and she is 14.

The vet that did her surgery has also operated on horses and has had really good results. Price wise for the dog it was 1500 per eye, but other than that original cost and the cost for the refills on the eye DrOps that was it.

I don't know if you have an equine opthamologist near where you are or if this is cost effective for you, but it is another option.

Rachelle
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 8:33 am:

I am not sure what the definition of a "fully developed cataract" is. There are many cataracts that are "fully developed", that is they are finished developing, that do not effect vision significantly. Certainly pervasive clouding of the lens by a large aggressive cataracts will seriously effect vision. For more on all this see, Diseases of Horses » Eye Diseases » Cataracts in Horses.
DrO
New Member:
simba3

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 12:22 am:

Hi Rachelle,

I asked my vet about surgery and was told that they do not do cataract surgery on "older" horses (he's 23)...in real young horses but not older. I wonder if it's because of the after care required. I just don't know.
Thanks for your response. It's sure worth asking the equine opthomologist again however...I really love this horse and if it's possible I'd be inclined to do it.
Pam
Member:
simba3

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 12:33 am:

Hi Dr. O,

By "fully developed" I mean that the cataract completely covers the pupil so it's finished doing it's damage apparently leaving my horse with no vision in his left eye and only peripheral vision in his right eye. By the way, I'm still riding him...we just stay in familiar territory. My vet is having a cow but then he doesn't ride.
Any chance of surgery to remove it or would it be too tramatic for him i.e., lamanitis, colic, ulcers as a result. If there really isn't anything then at least I still have him whether or not I can ride him. I'm a good seeing eye dog for him and he trusts me.
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.
Pam
New Member:
mcharles

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 1:43 am:

I ride a horse that is totally blind in the left eye from cataract (from birth). I show this horse on the QH circuit and he excells in Trail and Western Pleasure. He is very quiet, trustworthy and reliable. They adapt well to one eye.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 6:59 am:

Pam, general anesthesia is harder on horses than most species and age increases the chance of problems. It is not founder or colic or particularly it is keeping the tissues perfused and the heart going.

In the case of a serious use limiting problem in a horse with good overall health I would think it should be contemplated. Consider a opthalmic consult at a institution where the surgery is done and see how they feel about the idea.
DrO
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