Yesterday I wrote a bit of an overview about corneal ulcers and such. Today I wanted to explain a bit more what Rusty and I are dealing with...
His right eye has been ok for about a month. The left eye has just healed up this past week. That makes me happy. BUT, (of course there is a but), all of the vets involved in helping me (3) really feel that he has uveitis.
Which really sucks.
Alot.
However, at this point, he is fine. He isn't spooking or hurting himself - he seems to have a fair amount of vision. It will all depend on the number and severity of any re-occurences that will be the problem. I will be riding him and working him as usual, as long as I can.
Some horses do ok with losing the sight in one eye - I'm sure most of us have "met" a horse that had lost vision in one eye (due to uveitis or an accident) and was just fine. I personally know of 5 - all are ridden regularly and one even became a better jumper after he lost his eyesight in one eye! The hard part for me with Rusty is that he has problems with both eyes – I'm hoping that any vision loss that he has will be slow and progressive so that we can both adjust. Often horses that lose vision in both eyes quickly have a hard time adjusting, so hopefully we can avoid that angle.
The vets also suspected that this wasn't his first case of the problem - they said that it rarely occurs out of the blue this late in life (Rusty is 18)...so that means that it may have been a pre-existing condition, that the previous owners either a) didn't realize because the main care-giver was just a kid, or b) they knew and lied about it. Apparently minor cases are very hard to diagnose in a pre-purchase exam by the average vet.
The signs he had were: excessive tearing, squinting, swelling and sensitivity to light. These signs could be from any number of eye problems - uveitis, ulcers, glaucoma, bacterial and fungal infections, and a form of the herpes virus, believe it or not! So, the vet came and stained the eye - this shows if there are ulcers. Uveitis sometimes presents with ulcers and sometimes doesn't. So, if you have a clear diagnosis of uveitis, you can treat with steroids and often prevent alot of damage to the eye. If you have ulcers though, you can't use steroids, as they can cause blindness.
Rusty is getting about 1.5g of bute a day and he wears a flymask anytime he is outside, as long as it isn't snowing. He seems to be his usually happy self and as long as that is the case, we will be riding and trying to have fun...
Name That....
2 days ago
9 comments:
My trainer has a little rescue that lost an eye to uveitis. He's still a great little horse and he's adjusted well.
I went through an "eye scare" with my Appy last year. He appears to be fine and I'm not sure it was his eyes now that were the issue. But I still worry about it.
Now, he has a strange bump on his face that I have to possibly have biopsied on Friday. Another possible Appy thing (more susceptibility, I think) I suppose it could be some sort of skin cancer, but I'm hoping it's not!!
Hang in there and just take it day by day with Rusty. Worrying will not help things, and, you really want to focus on enjoying this time and working with him! A good solid foundation between the two of you will make a transition to eyesight in just one eye much easier.
Oh man! Poor Rusty. I also hope it's a gradual process, too...or that it just goes away and heals on it's own with time. (That can possibly happen right?)
So, Rusty has corneal ulcers then?
So no steroid treatment?
I'm so sorry Laura. I'm glad he seems to be doing well right now and you're able to get in some riding time together.
HUGS
Lisa
I am so glad Rusty found you to take care of him. I am keeping my thoughts on the positive side for you that he will adjust well and you will be able to manage his condition.
I wonder if this was the cause of the gaps in his training you have pondered at?
Poor Rusty, I'm sure you will both adjust to this condition and hopefully it won't get any worse.
Our horse Lifeguard had a cancerous tumor in his eye and they did surgery to remove it, the operation was a success. Hang in there I'm sure you will both deal with the changes as they come and everything will work out fine. Rusty knows you love him and I'm sure he is grateful he has you to care for him.
Could I add option c? Perhaps they didn't know or realize what they were dealing with was actually an issue??
My advice, keep your spirits up but also prepare for the possibility of reduction of sight. Start making verbal commands part of your normal contact and an everyday thing. Find a verbal command for anything that may pose a problem to a horse with limited or no sight.
IE "Up" for a small step up.
"Down" for a small step down.
"Big Up"(or down) for a larger step. Verbal commands for gait as well. (I find that drawing out "walk" to more of a "waaaaaaalk" sound helps lessen confusion with "whoa")
I am sorry to hear about Rusty be happy to hear you are keeping a positive perspective on it all.... sounds like you are being a very responsible horse owner and keeping the best interest of Rusty at heart. I know of one horse who is almost completely blind but does really well because of the close bond he has with his owner.. so much so that she didnt even know that he was blind and trail rode, did a little drill team and lots of crazy stuff like that!!
Keep you guy fat and happy and in a familiar environment, and there is no reason why you cant enjoy him for years to come...even if the worst should happen.
Good job, Rusty's mom!
Aww, Lisa, I'm sorry you've had to deal with all this in the short time you've had Rusty. I'm glad both of his eyes have gotten better though, and I send huge *jingles* that they will stay that way. You and Rusty hang in there and enjoy each other.
I seriously hope that Rusty is able to maintain his eyesight. Hopefully, your early recognition that there was a problem will help.
I know you have heard that horses that are blind or have lost sight can be just as good. I have personally known many that are successful in the arena and the showring with diminished eyesight. It isn't the minamalistic future that it used to be.
I know it has to be sad to think about it and wearing emotionally. Just remember that Rusty is a mature and well trained horse that can and will continue to give you much enjoyment for quite some time.
Hugs to you!!
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