Recurrent equine uveitis

[Supertrooper]

Looks like my best friends horse may have to potentially have his eye removed due to this. He has now developed a cataract also

Can anyone tell us what to expect, is it done under GA? He's a shire x cob so a big horse to go under anaesthetic or do they do it under sedation/local.

We're not too worried about him coping as obviously he's lost some/most of sight anyway already xx

 

[Dumbo]

I don't know any of the procedure details etc, but I know a horse who has had his eye removed due to uveitis. He's very happy now but caused a lot of heartache!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

My veteran cob (aged approx 19 at the time) had his eye removed under GA. relatively simple op. Will have pressure pad sewn on externally when he comes round and the cavity packed with gauze. Pressure pad should be removed within a few days then the packing will be removed either gradually over a few days or, like my boy, all at once. The empty socket will be convex for a few weeks but will settle to concave then. Tell your friend NOT to be tempted by a prosthesis...it's only humans that want them, not the horse. They cause immense problems and recurring infections so a waste of time. If the horse is already blind that side, your friend will know all about caring for him in that initially a horse will think that if he sees nothing on one side then there's nothing there. You have to be his spare eye til he learns that there usually IS something there! Good luck and don't worry, the horse will be much, much happier without the constant pain of the uveitis. Remind your friend that her horse will like the cavity regularly cleaned of grease and dust and dirt. I screw an old squeezed out flannel into a thick tube and work it round and round. Horse adores it and leans into the flannel, groaning in pleasure!