Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I'm trying to remember, but it seems we treated for several weeks for each flare-up.  The lepto test was done by taking fluid from the eye, not a blood test.  It came back showing postive, although not super high levels.  When the horse had another flare-up, we decided to do the gentamycin injection directly into the eye.  Our vet said that best results are obtained with the inflammation at as low a level as possible, preferably zero.  We treated for about a month or so to get it down to 10%...he would examine the eye about weekely to assess inflammation (horse appeared normal to observation...he used his scope to view the interior chambers).

 

We had the gentamycin injection done last November, and the horse has had no flareups since then (5 months).  Prior, he would have had several flareups during a 5 month period. 

 

Treating for only a week, then rechecking in 2 weeks, doesn't seem like aggressive enough treatment to me, at least compared to how our vet treated our horse...but vets do differ in their protocols.  If you would like to talk to my vet about the gentamycin injection, I can give you his clinic number.

 

Dawn Carrie, Texas

 

On 4/13/08, ladurgin@xxxxxxx <ladurgin@xxxxxxx> wrote:

  I have a question. Since this is a new vet for me, I don't know if I can trust them yet. (lost a horse last month).
   How long did your vet treat your horse initially?
    My vet has him on predisone and atropine , bute for a week, . Then he wants to recheck the eye in 2 weeks.  And  he did  say we may need a round of antibiotics . But I remeber him saying you are supposed to  maybe treat it for a month after it is clear. I don't know if he was  suggesting it or  what.(I am going to call and ask him, but we are in an economically depressed area and he may say that as an out for people...)
     Since we don't know the cause .... should I suggest a blood test for  lepto? Or would it make a difference? I know the first and 2nd  episodes (about a week apart that lasted 2-3 days) it had been very windy with rain and I wondered if he just got something in his eye.... but there were 4 episodes  in a month roughly (2-3 days each  till now,and it seems to then stayed).
   Since someone said to treat this aggressively, I  don't  want to  miss anything that may help.
   I stilll am not sure I am actually getting  enough in, it's  above the eye, around and   in the corners--- it's like  trying to hit a bullseye on a strobe..... He does appreciate the cookie after...

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Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:36:25 -0500
From: rdcarrie@xxxxxxxxx
To: ladurgin@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] Need tips for giving eye meds.
CC: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ok...I hope this explanation makes sense.  Look at his eyelid.  See that crease (fold) in the upper eyelid?  Insert the tip of your index finger into that crease.  Slide the eyelid UPWARD.  It's very important that you concentrate on pushing *upward,* not inward, as inward will put pressure on the eyeball.  It helps to have someone hold his halter.  If you're doing it correctly, the eyelid will kinda fold down over the top of your finger as you slide it up. As you're doing this, use your thumb to pull the lower eyelid down.  Squirt the stuff in the front inner part of the eye, and release both eyelids.  It takes a little practice, so you might want to try it a time or two without trying to insert the meds till you get proficient.  Just remember to slide upward.  It helps if you hold your hand flat against his head, with your index finger pointing up, rather than having your hand some distance away with your finger pointing *at* him...that way your finger will push the eyelid up.

 

Hope this helps...

Dawn Carrie

 

On 4/10/08, ladurgin@xxxxxxx <ladurgin@xxxxxxx> wrote:

     I told the vet I'd probably need to come by and get a couple tubes as half would end up  on the ground.
       Most of my vet books show two handed  methods. I  know about  trying to give it  by placing my hand  above his eye. But  its' a match race between his  eyes muscles  clamping shut and my trying one handed  to  get some in. He isn't fighting me too much as I  have dicuseed it with him, (and a few apple bits help)--- but  I am getting most of it  above his lid  at he  lash line, hoping it  will melt into the  eye. Therefore, I am also putting  lots more than  2 or 3 drops  above(, around,  and under for that matter) the eyes.I also tried the inner corner , but again , even though he is tied, I can't pry his eye open  like those pictues in the vet  books. (How do they get those pictures?, bet they are on  "happy" meds first....)
    I want this to be effective--as  blindness could result if it isn't treated right. ----
     I  just  didn't think a Levage would work as he is talented with  rubbing. I'd have to  encase him in beach balls and stall  him with company. And the company would have to  wear a muzzle and I'd have to rope the barn off from  "levage-removing helpers, and stall door openers ". (all very talented, think  monkey/horse)
     So  any tips? Am I  going to be able to  get enough meds in? Am I in danger of getting to much in.?
      Course one is liquid-(so I can  see drops and the other , though it says  2-3 drops is, an ointment! BTW I have given eye meds before, but had enough ignorance, that  I was told to put  a 1/2 inch  line on  the upper lid at the  lash line and it  would melt in. I was very happy in my ignorance...
   

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