DISEASE: EQUINE RECURRENT UVEITIS (ERU)
"Moon blindness" is another name for Equine Recurrent Uveitis. It is so-called because it was once believed that the disease reoccurred in co ordinance with the moon.
It is a chronic, painful equine eye disease that can occur in one or both eyes, and it's the most common cause of blindness in horses.
It is painful to the horse, and as the name implies, returns over time. This results in eventual blindness.
SYMPTOMS OF EQUINE RECURRENT UVEITIS (ERU)
- Cloudiness of the eyeball
- Moon blindness
- Periodic Opthalmia
- Chronic intraocular inflammation
- Swollen eye
- Eyelids closing over
- Clear drainage from the eye (increased tearing)
- Redness of surrounding tissue
CAUSES OF EQUINE RECURRENT UVEITIS (ERU)
Bacterial, viral, parasitic, or traumatic. Allergies are another possible cause. Leptospirosis is the most common bacterial infection. It can cause abortions, still births, decreased milk production, recurrent equine uveitis and death. The organism enters through the mucous membranes of the host animal. Contamination occurs by contacting the urine of the infected animal via water, mud, bedding or food.
TREATMENT OF EQUINE RECURRENT UVEITIS (ERU)
Treating equine moon blindness is a lifetime commitment; unfortunately, to date there is no cure.
The horse may be treated by an equine ophthalmologist. It is very important to measure the amount of pressure inside the eye (intraocular) and most general practice vets do not have the equipment to do so, therefore the referral is necessary. Blood tests may also be advised.
Loss of vision is almost certain and thus the prognosis is fair to poor. Appaloosas seem especially prone to blindness due to Equine Recurrent Uveitis. Treatment can however provide comfort and prolong vision in most cases.
In less severe cases topical ointments are commonly prescribed. Each attack of equine uveitis adds to the previous damage, so it is important to continue treatment even when no physical signs are present.
ERU can also cause secondary glaucoma to develop. Glaucoma is a group of equine diseases that affect the optic nerve, and if it develops the eye will likely have to be removed under anaesthetic. This surgery is known as Enucleation. This increased pressure inside the eye is both uncomfortable and blinding.
Surgery is costly and the alternative that many owners will take is to have the animal put to sleep, rather than having it endure the constant discomfort or trying to accommodate a blind horse.
Alternative therapies have also been tried. These include:
- Equine Acupuncture
- MSM
- Vitamins
- Yucca
- Apis Mullica
- Bee pollen
- Clovite
- Chiropractic
- Herbs
- Hot and cold compresses
- Riboflavin
|
