Recent News for Eye and Ear Problems
Article
Corticosteroids: Short- and Long-Term Effects
October 01, 2006
Of the medications available in the arsenal of anti-inflammatory therapies, there is one type that has caused ... Read More
Article
Head Position Affects Intraocular Pressure
September 26, 2006
Intraocular (inside the eye) pressure readings are used in the diagnosis of equine glaucoma. However, researchers with the University of Pennsylvania have found that the position of the horse's head can impact the pressure reading, which could... Read More
Article
Leptospirosis Starting to Get More Attention
September 14, 2006
Recurrent painful inflammation and pathologic changes in the eyes of horses with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU, also known as moon blindness) could be caused by the persistence of invasive bacteria called Leptospira in affected horses' eyes... Read More
Article
Meet the Specialist: Veterinary Ophthalmologist
September 04, 2006
Although you've probably never seen a horse or dog wearing glasses, animals do have their own ophthalmologists. Not to be confused with optometrists, who test and fit people for glasses and contacts, ophthalmologists are doctors with medical or... Read More
Article
Torn Eyelid Injury
July 01, 2006
The bottom line is any injury that tears skin or causes painful swelling around the eye should receive immediate veterinary attention. I would have advised a visit on the day of this injury.... Read More
Article
The Gift of Sight
April 11, 2006
The lessons I learned from this experience are that if an eye infection does not resolve--or look much improved--in a week, then seek an ophthalmologist or at least ask your veterinarian to take samples of the infected area for further study.... Read More
Article
Understanding Congenital Stationary Night Blindness
March 27, 2006
Canadian researchers are investigating the cause of a condition found primarily in Appaloosas that prevents them from seeing in the dark. Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a hereditary, non-progressive condition for which there is... Read More
Article
Sun Protection: Does Your Horse Need Sunglasses?
March 01, 2006
While sunglasses and sun screen might be the obvious solutions for fair-skinned humans, they're impractical for horses. Protection from sun glare, however, is as important for horses as it is for humans, because horses with little or no pigment in th... Read More
Article
The Equine Eye: Ocular Emergencies (Book Excerpt)
March 01, 2006
Well before an ocular emergency occurs, you should familiarize yourself with the easily visible outer structures of a horse's eye. Observe the eye with the aid of a penlight or other light source. Evidence of pain is a clear symptom of most ocular... Read More
Article
Damaged Ear Repaired
November 01, 2005
A horse's ear is designed distinguishing fine sounds at the same time protecting the sensitive inner structures and communicating with herdmates. The ear of an 18-month-old Belgian Warmblood filly was injured, which resulted in the ear... Read More
Article
Corneal Dystrophy
September 01, 2005
I own a 12-year-old foundation-bred Appaloosa gelding. Five years ago he was diagnosed with corneal dystrophy, which seems to be extremely stable (it hasn't flared up in more than four years). The surface of the cornea has a slightly rough... Read More
Article
Ear-ly Warning Systems
September 01, 2005
Because we rarely encounter problems with our horses' ears, we often take them for granted. The equine ear, however, is an indispensable communication tool. A horse's acute sense of hearing allows him to detect danger, communicate with other horses... Read More
Article
Blind: Dealing with the Dark
June 01, 2005
There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the care of blind horses, the most common being that a sightless horse cannot enjoy a quality life. While not all horses adjust to blindness as well as Houdini, those with a calm temperament... Read More
Article
Ophthalmology for Ambulatory Practitioners
May 01, 2005
"I have a special interest in eyes, but they're only about 5% of my work," began Ann Dwyer, DVM, of Genesee Valley Equine Clinic in Scottsville, N.Y., at the Western Veterinary Conference Feb. 20-24 in Las Vegas, Nev. "Some problems will always... Read More
Article
Ocular Emergencies
March 16, 2005
Observe the eye with the aid of a penlight or other light source. Evidence of pain is a clear symptom of most ocular diseases. However, sometimes it is not the first sign, so paying some attention to the eye and becoming familiar with what looks norm... Read More
Article
Ophthalmology for Equine Road Warriors
March 11, 2005
Owners calling about horses with painful eyes or eye trauma should be told to have a dark examination area available, and to have four bales of shavings or hay ready to use as a head rest for standing surgery/diagnostics.... Read More
Article
Leptospiral Uveitis Helps Vaccine Research
March 09, 2005
Ashutosh Verma, BVSc, MVSc, graduate research assistant in the laboratory of John Timoney, BSc, MVB, MRCVS, MS, PhD, DSc, Keeneland Association Chair in Equine Science, at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center in Lexington,... Read More
Article
BEVA Shares Education
February 01, 2005
The United Kingdom is famous for its rich history and deeply rooted traditions, but that doesn't mean its veterinarians are bound to ancient methods of equine medicine. Quite the contrary, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) hosts... Read More
Article
Contact Lenses for Horses
December 01, 2004
While they aren't used to improve vision in horses, soft contact lenses can be used to protect the eye and facilitate healing in horses with non-infected ulcerations. Reasons to avoid contacts for a particular horse include reduced tear production... Read More
Article
Dealing With Warts
August 01, 2004
Awart is an epidermal (skin) tumor caused by a variety of different viral infections. Remember that the word tumor simply means lump or mass and does not always infer cancer. In medical terms, warts are typically referred to as papillomas... Read More
Article
Corneal Endothelial Degeneration
August 01, 2004
My horse has corneal endothelial degeneration. My veterinarian and I have been using a "control" schedule for some time, but I would like some information about the condition. Janine The corne... Read More
Article
Miniature Horses' Eyes
April 01, 2004
It is tempting for veterinarians to use laboratory reference ranges collected from full-sized horses when treating miniature horses. This is not always appropriate, however, as miniature horses have some breed characteristics that are only now... Read More
Article
100th Equine Corneal Transplant Performed at UF
March 10, 2004
Veterinary ophthalmologists at the University of Florida completed their 100th corneal transplant on a horse Jan. 9. <FONT... Read More
Article
Eye Protection from the Sun
March 01, 2004
I have a 14-year-old Paint/Quarter Horse with one blue eye that has been diagnosed with a "detached iris." His iris appears wide open or not even there. My vet suggested providing his eyes with protection from the sun. What is available? I would... Read More
Article
A Prosthetic Eye for the Horse
March 01, 2004
Using ocular ultrasonography, he was able to diagnose complete retinal detachment with a large retinal tear. Because of the grave prognosis for recovery of vision, enucleation (removal of the eye) was recommended.... Read More
