damaged eye - help needed

[chev]

We have a gorgeous Sec A lead rein who punctured her eye a couple of months ago. Our vet gave antibiotics, bute and eye drops and the eye improved. It's still eye-shaped but it's got an ulcer on the cornea. Our vet then gave us cream to put in May's eye twice a day, which is when our problems started. She was ok to begin with but then got very headshy, wouldn't be caught, certainly wouldn't let us put the cream in. The vet could only suggest twitching her or bribing her with food; the food didn't work and I'm loathe to twitch her, even if I can. He thinks there is a chance her eye will recover completely and I'd like to give her that chance. She hasn't had the cream in for about three weeks now, it's no worse and we can handle her no problem again. Anybody got any ideas on how I can treat it? Has anyone had a similar problem? Anyone know of any alternative therapies that might help? Any suggestions gratefully recieved!

[wonkydonkey]

I'm very sorry to hear your sad news.

I'm afraid though I only have a firm reply for you.... If your vet thinks your poor pony needs the cream in it's eye twice a day then you need to do it. I understand you are trying to do so but for your animal's own sake you need to get over your nervousness about twitching. Twitching does not harm the animal. I think we as humans are more concerned over it than the normal recipient is !

If you have no experience of twitching I'd ask the vet over to demonstrate. What's another call-out fee when balanced against your poor ponies eye ? Or a local instructor/friend with more experience.

Even if the thing ends up losing it's eye it will soon get over it. A small pony on my yard punctured his eye last Summer and had it removed at the age of 28 ! He was back in the school by the Winter and is hacking out happily in company now... You could continue it's showing career in the 'fun' categories such as best legs !

Good luck.

[chev]

Thanks for the encouragement. The problem with twitching wasn't so much that I don't want too - we have been doing it at the start of treatment. The problem is more that she hates it - once it's on, she's not too bad but she was starting to get a bit nasty while we were trying to get it on. I did get bitten twice and although I can cope with it she was threatening us whenever she saw anything that she thought might be a twitch. As she is basically my children's pony you can see that's not a desirable character trait! If I have to twitch her to treat her I will - I was just kind of hoping someone might have an alternative.

[judyl]

The only thing I can suggest is get someone really knowledgeable to do it! My horse damaged her eye and tore the top layer off in a triangle shape (I've forgotten what the top layer is called now). This happened about 10 or so years ago. When the Vet came out, he gave bute and drops and cream and she also had to be kept in for 24hrs a day for 2 weeks. She couldn't even have the top door open. She had to be kept in total darkness. I must admit I wasn't very good at doing her eye either as she is 15hh and a 1/2in and kept putting her head up and I couldn't reach. My instructor did it for me. She did some work around the yard so luckily for me was able to do it twice a day.

The Vet also said that if the torn flap didn't come off by itself, they would have to operate to remove it. Luckily for me, the flap did come off but I still think she has blurry vision in that eye. The Vet checks it over every year when I have her MOT done. Before this, I hadn't realised how serious this could be and was very lucky my instructor was there and advised me to call the Vet and shut Shade up in her box. All I could see was a runny eye.

Good luck in your search!

Judy

[wonkydonkey]

Hmm, I see the poor pony is already wise to you and the twitch ! What type is it ? Is it a cord twitch or the 'humane' metal twitch ? You may find that the humane twitch (which are like a large clip) may be quicker and easier to attach than cord twisting.

Some other methods of restraint that may help to distract it whilst you twitch it are;

feed
neck twitch - (pinch some loose skin and hold it firmly)
holding up a leg

This is a horrid situation and I'm sure it stresses you both out but it's for the best in the long run.

Otherwise I guess if the cream is a long shot anyway (?) and the eye may inevitably have to be removed maybe it's better to have that operation performed sooner to save any further distress to you all.

Best wishes.

[chev]

Well I got in touch with our local equestrian centre but as we are new to the area, and they are v. busy and also 20 miles away she couldn't really visit! She did suggest using Bach remedies to help May (the pony) cope so we've started her on mimulus (for fear of known things) and olive, for those who have had a long period of suffering or illness. Our twitch is indeed a cord one, so I'll try with the humane twitch as speed of application is important! I managed to treat it today as she wasn't expecting it, and then we went out for a walk so she wasn't so cross with me when we left! Our vet doesn't feel the eye is bad enough to warrant removing it now but did also say that for as long as the ulcer is still there there is a danger the eye could collapse. I guess it's just a matter of time and lots of understanding. Thanks for the advice!

[Mehitabel]

one of our school ponies had an ulcer in her eye a couple of years ago. we also did the cream, and it was stressful, but she is now fully recovered. we also got a heavy duty black fly hood for her to wear in the field, as she wasn't allowed too much sunlight. she was on box rest in a darkened stable for a while, and the hood let her go back out earlier, which everyone was very happy about! if the pony ends up having long term problems with sunlight, which ouir vet warned us was possible, you can get the riot shields that police horses wear (you can get them if you write to the metropolitan police) and cover it with dark transparent film so it's like sunglasses. we used this on a pony who had uveitis, and it worked really well.

[Bebe]

I agree that you should persevere with the cream. I had to give my mare ointment in her eye (for conjunctivitis) last year and got really good at it. I'm now called on by most of my horse owning friends for anything like that so maybe if you ask around there'll be someone you know who is a dab hand at it!

Homeopathic remedies can be useful in situations like this, and can be used alongside the cream your vet has given you without fear of sideeffects. Horse magazine just had an interesting article giving the most common remedies for eye problems. I think it's still the issue that is in the shops, or last months anyway. If you want to look at it and can't find the magazine, let me know and I'll copy the article for you.

Good luck!
Amanda

[chev]

Good news! May's ulcer has gone and her cornea is totally smooth! We tried a humane twitch - not hugely successful, I found I had more "fine control" with my old cord one, but it was quicker to get on and because I could tie it onto her headcollar it left both hands free to dose her. Her eye is still cloudy but not so bad and the cornea still has a white patch on it. The vet came out to see her on Friday and said the white patch is inflamation and could go altogether or could leave a small scar. Apparently inflamation in the eye is white not red. We still have to put the cream in but he was really pleased with it and thinks she has a really good chance of recovering most of her sight!
Amanda - can't find the article but would love to know more. We've been giving her Bach remedies and I'm sure it's made a big difference to her mentally.
Es - how long did it take for your pony's eye to heal? This seem's to have been going on forever!
She's made me realise once again what amazing animals horses are - all that she's been through and she still goes straight up to my daughters (age 3 and 4) and stands while they hug her legs and kiss her chest. I'm so happy she's getting better!

[Mehitabel]

it was several months i think - at least 2 on darkened box rest, and then in during the day and out at night when it was dark. probably 4 or 5 months in all i think. the vet said to watch out for weeping and soreness for at least a year, and to keep it under close observation in case she knocks it or rubs it and restarts the inflammation. she didn't get it from an injury though, it just happened, so yours may be different in long term management. good luck!