Uveitis

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Black_Horse_White

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It seems that my horse has had it for 3 years, i've had the vet out on several occasions 4 weeks ago being one of them. I was told it wouldn't be that as its very painful and it clears up to quickly. After treating with drops and giving bute for a couple of days. Its better within 24hrs. But within 6 weeks its back. I'm doing all i can just brought a guardian mask but tonight its swollen again. I called the vet who said it now will probably be Uveitis and is coming out to see him tomorrow. To say i'm devastated is an understatement my poor boy. Upto now there is no damage to the eye only a tiny cataract. I've done lots of reading on the net but would like to hear from anyone who's horse has it and how you are managing. Any advice please good or bad. Thanks.
 
It's hard to know what more to say hun if you've done your research on uveitis. You will know that it's other name is "moon blindness" which was because it recurs very regularly and in the old days it used to be thought that it was linked to the phases of the moon. There is a real danger in further damage occuring every time there is an attack because adhesions can form that disrupt the normal functioning of the pupil and iris. It can be very painul for the horse too, with many choosing to stay out of bright light and skulk at the back of the stable. You may also find massively increased tear production, swelling round the eye and general misery demonstrated by the horse. I don't think there's any cure and my understanding is that it can worsen and worsen until enucleation (removal of th eye) becomes necessary. I'm sure you've read all about all of this. One thing that many people have had dramatic success with on otherwise desperate cases is the American face mask that covers the whole face and has 2 special eye covers that radically reduce the UV light entering the horse's eye. I think they're called Guardian but if you can't find them, put another post on asking about Guardian masks. Some Forum member will be able to give you more details. Don't give up hope hun - even if the worst ever comes to the worst, a horse can manage fine on 1 eye. I've known 1-eyed eventers, showjumpers, dressage stars, happy hackers, you name it. Do let us know how he does x
 
Hi. My mare was diagnosed with this probably 15 years ago. I hate to tell you this but it doesnt clear up. However, we can manager her on a bute a day. When she was younger (she's now 22) she only needed the bute during a flare up but recently she has to have a bute a day. Without the bute she is in a lot of pain.
It's easy to manage if you keep them on the bute. She has had a very useful life, hacking, hunting pony club etc. So dont panic as it's not the end of the world. 99% of the time Misty is absolutley fine.
Feel free to get in touch if you want to chat about it with someone who's been there! Hope your neddy improves.
 
Hi there, just wanted to offer some reassurance that whilst it doesn't go away, it can be effectively managed
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My friend's horse has it who I share duties with at the yard. I think it started when he sustained an eye injury whilst travelling years ago and he lost the sight in one eye. He then got uveitis in the blind eye, which possibly went undiagnosed for a while because the eye was already damaged. He had the eye removed (again this was years ago) and has managed since, inc competing and jumping up to 3ft.

About 3 years ago he started showing signs of uveitis in his remaining eye. After a few episodes of it flairing up and being treated with drops he now wears a mask all day every day, including when ridden and I dont think they've had another flair up since.

That said if the worst comes to the worst they can manage with just one eye, you just have to be careful with gateways, signposts etc.
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The diagnosis was given over the phone as he has had a bad eye for 3 and a half years on and off. The following day when the vet came out, his eye was better. She put dye in and had a really good look. She said he has a small mark on his lense. She said there is no damage to suggest Uveitis as he has had it for so long his sight would be damaged by now.

She says its very common for welshies to suffer from eye problems (her words not mine).She also said he seems to be rubbing it, therefore making it sore and swollen. She is coming back after xmas and flushing both tear ducts. Lets hope that makes a difference. His eye looks normal; no cloudiness. Most of the time his eye looks normal. He is happy in himself and doesn't seem to be in pain.

BOF you have replied to me many times so thank you, I have a guardian mask which only came last week and then his eye swelled up. Which made me think as it filters out 95% of the suns rays it wasn't the light causing it. Maybe I'm wrong. He does always come in with mud on the side of his face which the bad eye is on. I'll give the flushing a go and hope it solves it. But would like to hear if any owners of welshies have the same problem. Thanks everyone for your replies x
 
Hi, my pony has had it since 2007 and he now has a catarct from it. I check his eye every day with a torch and he has gone from having flare ups every 6 weeks to 3 times a year. I know the main triggers and try to avoid them where possible, he wears a mask with UV protection most of the time. Some people get very worried about eye conditions and panic when something happens but it's vital to keep calm.
Mine was on a bute a day but it's now down to twice a week for the next 6 month unless it flares up again when it will be slowly lowered again from every day, down to twice a day and again for 6 months. Unfortunatley his eye ulcerated last time due to a new (my usual one was away) vet not understanding the condition very well
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I am very lucky that my vet is so supportive and mentiones us to all his other uveitus clients and has also asked if he can give them our number to discuss different ideas. We also have regular chiro visits because of the physical problems that can be caused due to eye problems.
If you want to talk feel free to pm me
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i find it a very interesting condition so like doing research on it lol. I could write so much more but i would bore everyone
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Diagnosed over the phone. Erk! I've never heard before that Welshies are particularly prone to uveitis but when Sunny's eye flared up from (untreated) bog standard conjunctivitis to superficial keratitis, we never did identify the cause. But I had noted that like your horse, he always used to roll in the mud that side first. Interesting. I have often wondered whether the same bacteria that live in mud and that cause skin problems in horses could have been a contributory factor. If your ned is rubbing his eye, take care! You need to know which is cause and which is effect! Are the vets saying it might be the rubbing that has caused the sore eye? Because the opposite is also true (and more likely to my mind) - the horse is rubbing the eye BECAUSE it's sore! My local vet said that flushing the tear ducts carries no guarantees whatsoever. The dye came out of the "good" side nostril very quickly but it took 40 mins for a tiny dribble to appear out of the "bad" side nostril. Flushing was discussed but we didn't know whether the chronically infected eye had clogged the tear duct, or whether the blocked tear duct had caused problems in the eye. Nightmare stuff. If there's any further deterioration BHW I'd ask for a referral to a specialist centre that has an equine eye guru on hand. And a PS - there's a possible link between the herpes virus and eye problems so stay alert!

And I'd always urge owners to take any eye problem seriously. Not to the point of panic obviously as that won't help anyone. But certainly take it seriously and get the vet out. Home remedies and bad eyes don't usually go together well.
 
Maybe it's one of those things he will always be prone to, like some have mud fever some don't etc. I've always sort the vets advice and i'm relieved it's not uveitis, although still not highly convinced. When i brought him he did have a runny eye. I had his tear duct flushed on that one but it still runs. It's his other eye that doesn't run that has the problems. I've never had the bad eye flushed, thats why we are trying it to see if it is blocked. He does suffer quite bad with allergies so we will see. I will seek specialist advice if it doesn't improve. Thank you all for your replies if it turns out worse case sinario, i won't panic x
 
Hi there, my boy was diagnosed with this about 10 years ago now and his life line has been the guardian mask. Not sure if you have got one yet but I wouldnt be without one. You will need the 95% protection from UV light and there are now stockists in the UK, one in Cambridge and the other in Cornwall, I've had my last two from Eileen based in Cornwall. They are very robust as well and I have only had 3 in 10 years! My last one size XL cost me £95 delivered, cheaper than a vets bill! He wears it everyday, not just when its sunny, he has round the clock protection from the wind and rain as well with it so it means that he can be turned out 24 hrs of the day, even wears it when riding. He gets more trouble with his ringbone now! Hope you've got something sorted
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I find that all the things that aggravate my cold sores set off the eyes snow, wind, strong sun and stress/hormones. I have it pretty well controlled in the horse using a mask, she just threatens to flare when in season but I can usually stop it with a few drops of maxitrol
 
There is research to show that many cases of uveitis are caused by leptospirosis infection. In Germany (particularly), one treatment for uveitis is vitrectomy - sucking out the vitreous humour from the eye along with the leptospira that are causing the problem - and replacing it with liquid. NOT an easy option but very effective. The AHT (I think) are doing vitrectomies (as featured in h&h last august ) and more recently so are Leahurst.

It is a seriously scary op and costs approx £3500 in total but may be worth investigating as a last resort.
 
you can ride out in the guardian mask i did a sponsored ride over jumps last week she jumped fine in it. Guardian mask the way to go keep a diary too day to day 24 7 inc winter to work out the trigger
 
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