ADVICEFROMTHE VET
themselves in the process. With the eyes being in aprominent, vulnerable position theycan be susceptible to injury.Wounds to the eyelidscan usually be sutured under standing sedation and nerveblocks, but it is extremely important to try and maintain the integrityofthe eyelids so theycan function normally.A thorough examination of the eye should be performed to ensureno trauma to the globe has occurred at the same
time.Directtrauma to the globe canalso unfortunately occur-foreignobjects such as sticks penetrateeyes- obviously requiring emergencyveterinary attention!
LUMPS AND BUMPS The mostcommon neoplastic
we had this summer,wewerecalled out to multiple casesofconjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the eyelids. The conjunctivacan look redand inflamed, often the horse will have discharge from the eyeand will showvarying degreesofpain. The horse may then go on to rub the affectedeye and develop corneal ulceration from the trauma. Inflammation itself is usually caused by irritantssuch as dust, flies, wind and then canbe complicated with secondary bacterial infection. Treatment will usually involveapplication of an antibiotic gel or drops to the eyeaswell as anti- inflammatories. Useofawell fitted fly mask or stablingduring the warmer, windier weathercan help prevent exposuretoirritantsinthe firstplace.
UVEITIS Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal
tissue within the middle layerofthe eyeand canhaveseveral causes. It canbeaprimary event or canbe secondary to other conditions of the eye. Equine Reccurrent Uveitis (ERU) canoccur when uveitis reappears intermittently,the cause of which is triggered by the horse’sImmune System. Othersmay have ongoing, lowgrade inflammation which maynot resolve. The eyemay or maynot show outward signs of pain or discomfort in these cases. Unfortunately,often permanent damage canbedone to the structures within the eye, including scarring, cataract formation and other degeneration that canleadto permanent
blindness.ERU is in fact the mostcommon cause of blindness in horses. Thereiscurrently no cure forERU andtreatment is aimed to control and reduceinflammation in theeye.Early treatment is important
Trauma to the lowereyelid
so the complications associated with the inflammation canbereduced.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the 3rdEyelid in an Appaloosa Horse
TRAUMA Due to the horse’sinbuilt ‘flight’
response,theywill often move away from danger quickly,often damaging
condition in the horseseye are Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCCs). Theyoccur morecommonly in horseswith unpigmented skin around the eyes such as Appaloosas. Although theytend to be benign, theycan be locally aggressiveso prompt diagnosis and treatment is important. ExposuretoUVlight is known to increase the risk of SCC, so preventativemeasures such astable during the dayorwearing aUV mask canhelp to reducethisrisk. Sarcoids arealso common around the eyeand we see them in varying forms. Again, theycan be aggressive in their growth so prompt, appropriatetreatment is paramount.
IN SUMMARY Eyes arevery important, your
horse only has 2! Anypainful eye should be seen as an emergency to increase the chanceof successful treatment and agood outcome foryour horse/pony
ABOUT THE AUTHOR O O
AboutNancyHomewood BVetMedCertAVPMRCVS Nancyisanequine vetfromHook Norton veterinary Group,with aRCVS CertificateinAdvanced Veterinary Practice. Nancyhas aspecial interest in internal medicine,anaesthesia and the use of acupunctureintreating musculoskeletal conditions in the horse.
PleasementionCentralHorseNewswhenrespondingtoAdvertisementsNOVEMBER/DECEMBER2018 29
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