What is the right thing to do?

[Summer1994]

I have owned my horse since he was 3 years old, and he is still with me at 27.

At the age of 12 he was first diagnosed with equine Uveitis.

During the last 15 years, episodes have been far and few between, and successfully treated with steroids, anti inflammatories and careful stable management.

However, unfortunately over the last 6 months his condition has become progressively worse, with flare ups becoming increasingly frequent, every one to two weeks.

After numerous Veterinary visits it is becoming apparent that he is no longer responding to the topical treatment/stable management any longer and I now have to make the decision to either remove his eye at 27 years old, or make the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep.

I am in turmoil as to what the right decision for him is, and would appreciate some advice from fellow horse owners who have been in similar situations or had similar experiences.

Thank you

 

[poiuytrewq]

Hi, I often just leave uveitis threads without commenting as my story isn’t a great one.
Does your horse only get it in one eye or both?
The actual operation is very straight forward, easy to recover from (amazingly easy) It’s a standing sedation and heals easily with little input or after care needed.
It would have been the best thing I’d ever done, I’d absolutely do it again.... but for the fact within 2 months of the operation he had the first bout in his remaining eye. It was a massive flare up and he was already partially sighted in that eye so the decision was quickly made to pts.
IF your horses remaining eye stays healthy it’s a no brainier.

 

[ycbm]

Does he have any other issues? Is he a nervy, flighty kind of horse? Do you have any difficulty affording either the operation or his continued care?

If the answer to those is no, then eye removal is a relatively simple thing and they usually recover well.

But there is never any shame attached to putting to sleep a horse of that age who has been loved and cherished all his life.
.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m really sorry you and your horse are in this situation, it’s a truly evil disease to deal with.
x

 

[Melody Grey]

Easy for me to say and I have no related experience but at 27 I’d wonder if removing an eye might put him in a distressed situation?
Could these recent developments indicate an underlying age related Condition?

not helpful I know, but that’s what I’d be wondering I think.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Easy for me to say and I have no related experience but at 27 I’d wonder if removing an eye might put him in a distressed situation?
Could these recent developments indicate an underlying age related Condition?

not helpful I know, but that’s what I’d be wondering I think.

Really good point.
uvietis worsens over the years anyway so even with a younger horse it would be progressing. Ours was 6/7 when he was pts.
If a 27 yr old was having an operation this would be an easy one. I’d never consider colic surgery for example but if the horse is otherwise really healthy and in good form I don’t think this would be too much.
When the eye is out the horse is no longer a Uveitis sufferer, ours changed in personality. He was seriously flighty but really chilled after (pain free?)
If it were me... whilst I say next time I’d pts instantly in reality maybe, after treating that long I’d happily operate IF you can keep in the back of your mind that if the second eye gets bad you have no option but to pts.

 

[ihatework]

The decision to operate or not is going to be a very personal thing and will probably be very much dependant on your horses temperament and any other medical conditions.

Has the horse ever been tested for cushings? A friends horses recurrent uveitis cleared up once her horse was diagnosed and treated for Cushings

 

[Summer1994]

Hi All,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.

Just to add, my horse does also have cushings disease which I know effects their immune system, he is though treated with Prascend, so don't know if this still could be having an effect on his eye.

 

[Melody Grey]

Hi All,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.

Just to add, my horse does also have cushings disease which I know effects their immune system, he is though treated with Prascend, so don't know if this still could be having an effect on his eye.

I have no idea whether cushings and uveitis are linked but if there’s a chance they are, it might be worth checking out blood chemistry to see if the cushings is under control? That might inform your decision?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Hi All,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.

Just to add, my horse does also have cushings disease which I know effects their immune system, he is though treated with Prascend, so don't know if this still could be having an effect on his eye.

In that case, I would pts, I'm afraid. IME when the Prascend stops being effective enough there is only one way this is heading. It is horrible when they get to this stage and youhave to start thinking about 'the decision'.
I have a friend who gets recurrent uveitis. He has an open appt at the eye clinic/ward at this local hospital because it is so painful that it needs immediate treatment. It also affects his MH, I wouldn't put an animal who doesn't understand, through it.

 

[Goldenstar]

I have been through this .
He was a lovely gentle boy it was an arduous and hideously expensive .
When we got to the eye removal thing ( we had no choice he was maddened by the pain and banging his head against the walls he became aggressive when we where trying to get his drops in ) we where told that was a chance it would occur in the other eye the thought of him blind in a flare up was too much, not safe for us or fair to him.
We settled the flare he was having with shed load of steroids got him calm and comfy and had him put down at home .
It is an evil cruel condition you have my profound sympathy I hope I never ever see it again .

 

[PurBee]

Im not well-educated with the condition but i would be questioning If the eye with uveitis has already caused loss of sight, and is causing pain too, then removing the eye seems like a good decision. If he cant see with it anyway, he wont miss it.

Whereas, a horse that can see from the eye to be removed, might well behaviourally change and find it distressing, which at his age, isnt what we’d want.

Also, as mentioned, if his health is otherwise good for his age and all other conditions well managed and he’s still upwardly mobile and enjoying life, i’d go for the op for removal of the one thing causing regular problems for him.

Yet if there’s other health issues struggling to be balanced alongside the eye, i would pts, as he has lead a great life and its the kindest thing to offer.

Sorry youre going through this. Weigh up the pro’s and cons.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Taking Cushings into account id pts. Sorry ?
Mine was young and otherwise worth a shot.

 

[vmac66]

I had a horse pts with bilateral uveitis. He was nearly totally blind. If it had just been one eye I think I may have gone for the eye removal. He was only 10. A horse on the yard had his eye removed due to uveitis and was absolutely fine. I know his owner takes him jumping which he loves.

 

[ycbm]

I'm so sorry, with Cushings as well I think it is his time to go quietly and with dignity after a good lifetime of love and care.

 

[Lintel]

I would rather have 27 years of a good life than the possibility of getting to 37 with the unknown of whether I was going to enjoy my life anymore.

Sorry OP, it's a very difficult decision and one only you can make X

 

[poiuytrewq]

I hope your ok Summer, it’s very easy for us sat at home to type this stuff. It’s a whole lot more difficult for you, sat at home to deal with.

 

[Summer1994]

Thank you for your kind words xx

 

[Summer1994]

I hope your ok Summer, it’s very easy for us sat at home to type this stuff. It’s a whole lot more difficult for you, sat at home to deal with.

Thank you for your kind words xx

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thank you for your kind words xx

Most of us have been there. It’s awful but it’s what we have to do. What a lucky horse to have an owner who cares

 

[Summer1994]

Most of us have been there. It’s awful but it’s what we have to do. What a lucky horse to have an owner who cares

Xxx