Suspected uveitis with ongoing issues and growing vet bill.

[Vic3gs]

I wondered if anyone has been through similar and has either found a solution or anything that helps.

Will try and keep this short.

Back in November our pony’s right eye became quite swollen and watery and apon inspection was very red. Between now and then we have had 8+ vet visits with the issue being that when it is sore and swollen it presents as uveitis, with a twisted iris and grey film but once we start back on the drops (tried 2 kinds) and bute it clears up within 24 hours to the point that the vet cannot find anything abnormal at all.

This has involved numerous full sedations, two vets, lots of in depth observations of the back of her eye, blood vessels, retina dyes run through to check for damage in her cornea and we are still not any further forward.

Throughout the process we did locate a blocked tear duct which was quite high up and did need to be cleared, however our vet seems to think this is another symptom of what’s going on rather than a cause.

Since then she has been on oral steroids as well as steroid drops, with us weaning her off the the former last week with thankfully no change, the bute is to stop on Sunday with the drops following at end of next week and I’m starting to get the fear that we will be back to square 1.

Our vet is lovely but has suggested that despite doubting uveitis over the last few mother and it might be low grade version and if it’s to keep on happening we might need to call in a specialist which sounds like it could be costly so I wondered if anyone has every heard of anything similar or might be able to offer suggestion of anything we could try.

I also thought I’d sound out here (don’t want come across as stupid to the vet) the question of her staying on the drops long term. Pony is fighting fit otherwise and cracking, very forward going jumping pony but she is 19 and for us wouldn’t be the worse thing in the world if she needs daily drops.

 

[SEL]

Could it be an allergy? My friends cob presented like she had uveitis but they worked out in the end that she was reacting to something. She treats her like a uveitis horse with masks in the sun and the wind but any flare up now is attacked with allergy eye drops and settles down very quickly.

 

[Maryann]

I had 3 sheep with eyes that looked like that and loss of vision. My vet told me to give them Allamycin (antibiotic) injections.

 

[tatty_v]

Mine has equine recurrent uveitis. Are you using a guardian mask or similar? That’s made the world of difference for my horse, have only had one or two flares in 6+ years. Others on our yard have it too (one rides in an evisor, I’ve always got away with just turn out in the guardian mask). Helps that our vet is also a specialist though!

 

[ester]

I think I’d have asked for a referral after visit number 4 so I’d definitely do so after visit number 8.

 

[Vic3gs]

Thank everyone, I had considered a a posh fly mask with UV protection but those guardian masks looks amazing and while did have a sharp intake of breath on first seeing the price definitely cheaper than continuous vet appointments!

Interestingly the vet has always used an antibiotic jab as a last result, I’m not sure why…

She did have a blood test last time round and no raised infection markers so maybe that’s the reason.

I have faith in our vet and following his lead if indeed we do need to go down the Ophthalmologist route we will but he doesn’t think we are there yet.

 

[Equi]

Is it just the one eye? Has removal not been suggested? 19yo pony will get along just fine with 1 eye. I know a few.

 

[tatty_v]

The guardian masks are really spendy (I have to grit my teeth when I buy a replacement) but they have genuinely made a difference. I also second the eye removal point - I know it’s a horrible thought but I have seen this done for chronic cases that cant be got under control and it seems to be more distressing for us than them!

 

[LEC]

Oooo this is my expert area - I have loads of YT videos on it!!

My horse has had UV for years on and off and controlled through steroids and careful treatment. This year we had the flare up of all flare ups. Ended up with a 2 week stay with levage at Rowe Equine Clinic. Still they were getting flare ups they couldn’t control. We thought the horse was doomed as retinas had detached etc.
We tested for Leptospirosis and it came back positive. We then had over 200 lab tests to identify the strain and injected her eyeballs with antibiotics.
We had another mild flare up and were running out of money but miraculously it’s settled and *touch wood* seems ok. We had a long lasting steroid put in October and a vet check in Dec . We go back to eye clinic in March for another check.

Interesting story.. it’s very rare (Lepto particularly) in uk horses because in ww1 every single horse was inspected by the army and any with poor eyes was shot for meat.

It’s very common in German horses who were not looked at so much during ww1. They estimate 20% of German horses have it. Most horses have a tolerance for Lepto naturally but the German warmblood seems really susceptible. Mine is German warmblood lines even though bred in uk.

Anyway from expecting my horse to be shot as they go completely blind within 6 months as hers was both eyes so couldn’t even remove just the one eye to fix it, she is looking ok. In fact I have noticed huge changes in her so it’s probably been grumbling away for years.

 

[LEC]

The guardian masks are really spendy (I have to grit my teeth when I buy a replacement) but they have genuinely made a difference. I also second the eye removal point - I know it’s a horrible thought but I have seen this done for chronic cases that cant be got under control and it seems to be more distressing for us than them!

I have this Harrison Howard Maskology Supreme Horse Fly Mask Stellar UV Protection with Detachable Nose Cover Well-Received 2-in-1 Mask Amethyst L Full Size https://amzn.eu/d/6FmTOqt

Its uv ratings were done by David Marlin and it performed very well for the price. The Guardian is the gold standard but these and the equilibrium were just behind but I prefer the halo in these.

 

[SEL]

I have this Harrison Howard Maskology Supreme Horse Fly Mask Stellar UV Protection with Detachable Nose Cover Well-Received 2-in-1 Mask Amethyst L Full Size https://amzn.eu/d/6FmTOqt

Its uv ratings were done by David Marlin and it performed very well for the price. The Guardian is the gold standard but these and the equilibrium were just behind but I prefer the halo in these.

Thanks for this - my Appy destroyed her mask last summer and she's too high risk to be without her sunglasses. I think her old one annoyed her by catching on her eyelashes but this looks to have more room.

 

[AdorableAlice]

If you are in middle England, Mr Brian Patterson is the man you need for a second opinion.

Equivisor mask was a game changer for my little mare. Very expensive and I need a new one now but well worth it for the comfort of the horse.

 

[LEC]

Thanks for this - my Appy destroyed her mask last summer and she's too high risk to be without her sunglasses. I think her old one annoyed her by catching on her eyelashes but this looks to have more room.

My horse has one on 24/7 when out of the stable and it’s been brilliant. One of our UV flare ups came with a fly mask sitting on her eyes so I am paranoid now and like her to have the halo. It’s probably a year old and in good condition. I removed the nose net as not needed and it’s detachable

 

[Vic3gs]

Thank you everyone, this is been quite reassuring, glad that posted.

Definitely think we will invest in the halo, our vet did say the only thing with fly masks was the risk to them touching her eye (understand there and some that are better quality, more structured and less likely of this happening)

 

[saturdaygirl]

A consultation with an ophthalmologist won't be crazy expensive and will give you much more information/ a plan

 

[BronsonNutter]

A consultation with an ophthalmologist won't be crazy expensive and will give you much more information/ a plan

^This. There are some opthalmology specialists who will come to you, and others who you can travel to (saves a visit fee, and is ideal in terms of they will have a dark room etc). Might not tell you anything you don't already know but may just reassure you that the treatment plan you're on is correct and there's nothing else going off. It's likely not as expensive as you are fearing either!
Depending on where you are in the UK someone may be able to recommend somewhere.

 

[clairebearnz]

I wondered if anyone has been through similar and has either found a solution or anything that helps.

Will try and keep this short.

Back in November our pony’s right eye became quite swollen and watery and apon inspection was very red. Between now and then we have had 8+ vet visits with the issue being that when it is sore and swollen it presents as uveitis, with a twisted iris and grey film but once we start back on the drops (tried 2 kinds) and bute it clears up within 24 hours to the point that the vet cannot find anything abnormal at all.

This has involved numerous full sedations, two vets, lots of in depth observations of the back of her eye, blood vessels, retina dyes run through to check for damage in her cornea and we are still not any further forward.

Throughout the process we did locate a blocked tear duct which was quite high up and did need to be cleared, however our vet seems to think this is another symptom of what’s going on rather than a cause.

Since then she has been on oral steroids as well as steroid drops, with us weaning her off the the former last week with thankfully no change, the bute is to stop on Sunday with the drops following at end of next week and I’m starting to get the fear that we will be back to square 1.

Our vet is lovely but has suggested that despite doubting uveitis over the last few mother and it might be low grade version and if it’s to keep on happening we might need to call in a specialist which sounds like it could be costly so I wondered if anyone has every heard of anything similar or might be able to offer suggestion of anything we could try.

I also thought I’d sound out here (don’t want come across as stupid to the vet) the question of her staying on the drops long term. Pony is fighting fit otherwise and cracking, very forward going jumping pony but she is 19 and for us wouldn’t be the worse thing in the world if she needs daily drops.

My old boy (now 29) has had blocked tear duct issues that present as similar to uveitis on and off for the 17 years I've had him. Once the tear duct is cleared, he goes back to normal until the next bout (usually brought on by dust in the summer) so it could be due to the blocked tear duct.