Ounces of Prevention

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Our six-year-old Arab mare attained a puncture wound to her eye approximately two months ago. We initially had trouble treating her with antibiotics prescribed by our veterinarian, but now notice a large brown film over the clear area where the injury occurred. What is it, and did we not treat it correctly?

—Lisa Conway
Gifford, FL

Injury to the cornea is common in the horse. Horses commonly scratch their cornea (the clear window of the eyeball) by rubbing on fencing, bedding, or brush and weeds; or problems may occur when dust, weeds, pollens, or other foreign bodies become embedded, causing inflammation. If the scratch contains the material, it must be removed and flushed completely. Topical broad-spectrum antimicrobials are useful and necessary for initial healing. In addition, systemic antibiotics and antiinflammatory agents may also be needed.

Horses frequently acquire what is known as a "melting ulcer" from a simple corneal scratch. These must be treated ag gressively and are considered an ocular emergency because the bacterial (or fungal) invasion is often so severe that the cornea is penetrated completely and loss of vision or even of the entire eye may occur.

The horse can be a difficult beast to treat long-term with topical ophthalmic drugs, especially if the eye is painful. If you currently see a brown pigment or film where the injury occurred, it is most likely an indication that healing has occurred. The cornea heals when new blood vessels enter the clear area from the white of the eye (sclera). The vessels deliver nutrients and new cells, often pigmented cells (hence the brown color), into the injured area to heal and cover underlying tissue. This pigmentation is not usually injurious to the eye and is left untreated unless vision is hindered substantially.

Since the horse is an animal prone to some of the worst corneal problems, however, it would behoove you to have your veterinarian examine the eye again to assure that the changes you see are not indicative of a remaining pollen grain, a ruptured cornea, or a continued fungal ulcer.

Our six-month-old, 200-pound gilt has swellings in both her hocks. We keep treating her with antibiotics, but the swelling doesn't go down. Where's the problem? She appears normal otherwise, eating and drinking is okay, and she doesn't appear lame.

- Paul Ryther
Rockford, TN

I would check the flooring first, and the pasture second. Examine the toes for any evidence of sores or bruising. Often the ground is too hard, too soft, too slippery, wet, or dry for the animals, and secondary joint problems occur. Try to assure that the legs are not getting caught in any floor or side boarding during rising, sitting, or repetitive daily acts. Check the feeds to be sure of the correct levels of nutrients.

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