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silv
Gold Member
 United Kingdom
550 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 4:37:51 PM
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Our little 2 week old filly has some form of congenital cataract in one eye.Vet said to take to Newmarket.......though may not be able to do anything.
We bred her purely for sentimental reasons,using Jills mare and my boy's sire.....just cos we love them so much
We dont intend to sell the filly or show her.
We have decided not to put either of them through the trauma of travelling to newmarket.....the riks in that alone are large,I think with such a youngster.
She is in no pain with it and is very active and seems happy.
Do you think its the right decision or are we depriving her of a chance?
I know many horses lead a happy one eyed life!
Its heart wrenching really as other than this she is so perfect.....we even named her Temimi....meaning "perfect"
Such a pretty head too.....with curly ears
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>>>A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't.
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 5:15:25 PM
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| Poor little thing. Do you have to do this right now when the foal is so small or could you wait til she's weaned to give you more time to think about it? |
Roseanne |
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silv
Gold Member
United Kingdom
550 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 8:42:13 PM
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We have to do it now ......which is why we've chosen not to.
Its a really hard decision to have made. |
>>>A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't.
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 9:01:22 PM
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I assume the foal would go to Rossdale's; they don't come any better. Where do you live. So long as the mare travels OK then the foal will to.
If you get your vet to ring and speak to Rossdale's (your vet has to refer you) he could give them the details of what he has seen in the eye and they may be able to give you some idea of whether they are likely to be able to do anything for your foal.
it would be a shame not to try if there is a good chance of keeping her sight in the eye, if she wes to damage the other eye at any time in her life it would be a tradegy but if that eye was reasonably OK then the outlook would be much better.
I am fairly sure that Rossdale's don't charge for that sort of consultation with your vet.
Good luck
Barbara |
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nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 9:06:55 PM
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Rhonda, will she definitely go bind in this eye or will it be just a gradual loss of sight. My step-sister's horse was blind in one eye and it did not stop her from competing, in sponsored rides, ridden showing etc., the only thing she did not do was jumping but everything else she did really well in including dressage.
My husband also had a welsh cross thoroughbred for 3 years who was also blind in one eye, and again we never had any problems, hacking etc.
I think it is a brave decision you have made but I do not blame you, putting such a little one through tests would be very stressful for all concerned, especially as it does not appear to be life-threatening.
Nicky |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 9:14:19 PM
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| I think whatever you decide will be OK. If you decide not to send her she will still have the best chance of a great quality of life with you. If you do decide to send her, and she is so sweet and perfect - and it works! - you may have a real star on your hands... Please let us know how it all goes, and good luck! |
Roseanne |
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razgold
Platinum Member
USA
1576 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 11:29:44 PM
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I don't want to put the dampers on this only be very careful what you choose. I had a foal that had damaged her eye at a day old. Her Mother had kicked her. I couldn't have surgery on it until she was at least 6 weeks old.
As it happened we couldn't wait any longer than 6 weeks as she was getting an infection in it. Surgery went well but unfortunatly I lost the foal just before she came out of the anesthetic.
It's a hard decision to make.
Sue. |
 
www.lyndalearabians.com
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silv
Gold Member
United Kingdom
550 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 08:18:04 AM
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Thanks for your views.
The vet spoke to rossdales immidiatly.Consultation there would be £150......if they were able to operate would be £ 3000.
The mum is not a great traveller herself.Her loading isnt too great either.....so I think this alone woul be stressful.
We spoke to the vet about our decision and he didnt press that we should go.
Although the eye has only just clouded over,we think she was born with little sight in this eye,as looking back,she has bumped into one or two things on that side and popped out of fencing!
So,she is really growing up knowing no different.
Mum has ran her round the perimiter fencing several times and she seems to know her boundaries now without popping through fences!
I just couldnt bear it if something happened on travellingor whilst under anasthetic. |
>>>A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't.
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 09:06:31 AM
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| Oh SilvI am so sorry, I think you did the right thing for what its worth, but perhaps something can be done when she is a little older? here's hoping. |
   
www.dreamfield-arabians.com |
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 09:42:00 AM
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Dear Silv,
As many here will probably have guessed, i am a great believer in homeopathics, so i suggest you go down that route. "Renee" on here is more switched on than i am in that area, so i'm certain she could point you in the right direction, but just to start with , euphrasia has amazing anti-cataract properties.
Good luck.
suyen. |
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silv
Gold Member
United Kingdom
550 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 10:19:41 AM
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Thanks,
Suyen.....could you please email me regarding the homeopathic methods
silv@tazz22k.freeserve.co.uk thanks very much. |
>>>A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't.
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 7:23:28 PM
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This has been worrying me all afternoon..euphrasia is for conjunctivitis, not cataracts.(sorry)..Greater celendine IS though! :))
suyen. |
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Heather Brown
Gold Member
United Kingdom
682 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 7:44:20 PM
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Silv I am sorry, it is heart breaking. I do know of another filly who had this problem and had much money spent on her at Liverpool. Unfortunately it wasn't very successful and she can see very little (she did have two eyes affected though to varying extents) She is now coping well but there were some hair-raising accidents in the early days.
However your girl has only one eye affected? My Balaton mare lost the sight in one of her eyes last year and she is fine though she tends to run round her foal with the good eye on the inside, and we have to be careful to be not to be too quick on her blind side.
I also know of a hunter with one eye that has a wonderful time jumping hedges and going cross-country, you would be amazed at what they get used to. I think if only one eye is affected I would spare her the stress, homeopathic solutions are always worth a go - just my thoughts for your information.
Best wishes
Heather |
    
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Renee
Gold Member
539 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 7:54:28 PM
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Silv
I'm so sorry to hear about your filly, she sounds lovely.
Thanks to Suyen for the vote of confidence, I must admit most of what I've learned comes from George Macleod and his book 'The Treatment of Horses by Homoeopathy'!!! There are a number of homoeopathic remedies that might help, depending on specifics of the condition. For retinitis and corneal opacity, the remedy Naphthaline at 6c, dosed night and morning for one week is recommended. If there is fibrous or scar tissue, the remedy is Silicea 200c once a week for 4 weeks. All the other remedies for cataracts are indicated by more dramatic symptoms including liver disturbance, acute inflammation & discharge, wasting and thirst - I'm sure you would have mentioned if any of these were present. The book also says that an external application of Cineraria lotion will help, but I have no experience of this. It would be worth talking with someone like Hilton Herbs for advice on this.
I'd suggest also talking with a homoeopathic vet for advice, as there may be some other remedy not listed in the book. I've mentioned Nick Thompson before www.holisticvet.co.uk. He's really great. Also, you could ask him about acupuncture and whether that would help too.
Best of luck,
Renee |
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 10:43:57 PM
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I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of the plight of your little foal.
I am no expert in this sort of matter as I've only known three animals with a sight problem.
One was a foal that many years ago that I cannot recall what the treatment was for her cataracts in BOTH eyes, but she was treated and her sight did improve ~ it also seems that she improved at home ~ just wish I knew HOW.
I also know a horse that gradually went blind as a youngster and no one could find out why ~ but he lives a GREAT life and the most touching thing I ever saw regarding him was his owner counting him into small fences as they jumped together with virtually NO sight in the horse at all! He lives across the road from mine and dsepite his lack of eyesight is well and happy with the mare he is with and his very caring owner.
The third case is a pony who does FANTASTIC things at pony club, races, jumping etc and is totally blind in one eye. It's never stopped this one having fun and being about as fit as any pony I've ever known and UNBEATABLE in everything that the young owner attempts!
So, despite problems, it's not the end of the world, even if the eye is not treated or cannot be treated....although I'd definitely keep options open and also explore the homeopathy/alternative therapy route too ~ the more informed you are, the better.
The important thing is that you clearly love your little one and her Mum and that's the most important thing in all this ~ it will see you ALL through.
All the best and give that special little foaly, Temimi, a hug from me and a scratch around those curly ears.
~Nicci
~Nicci |
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s.jade
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2401 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2005 : 11:04:11 PM
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So sorry to hear about your poor baby
Hope I don't sound harsh, but I think you've made the right decision not to operate, if she has had the problem since birth and grows up with it I reckon she should adapt pretty well.
I'm one of the people with a one eyed horse living a happy life, he's found it a bit harder to adapt having had full vision for almost 10 years but...well, you know Fangs, he lives life to the full, enjoys it and scares me witless half the time with his little antics  With 'Mums' like you, I think she'll be a very happy girl, one eye or two 
Give her a big hug from me xxx |
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silv
Gold Member
United Kingdom
550 Posts |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2005 : 12:50:28 PM
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Hi Silv,
I was put onto a horse and animal homeopath by Kirsty Brown (Marzookah on the AL forum) for treatment for my sweetitch gelding. Kirsty had great success with her treatments. I'm waiting for the summer to judge with mine during the midgey season! He will give you a good phone consultation without charge (spent ages finding out all about my horse) and will send the tablets overnight. A talk can't do much harm anyway. He's in north Somerset and is called Mark Hessey. Tel No: 01275 394983.
If there is doubt about the sight in the eye anyway, the stress and cost of the operation is probably not worth what you'll all have to go through. |
Roseanne |
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stella
Silver Member
United Kingdom
339 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2005 : 9:01:13 PM
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Silv,
I have just caught up with this thread and was so sad to hear of your filly's eye problem.
I don't really have any advice, just to say that I have known a few horses with one eye and they have always coped very well with everything including jumping, hacking etc etc.
Is Graham your vet? He was fantastic when Oz recently damaged his cornea and has always been spot on with treatments etc.
Good luck to you. |
Stella x
    
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2005 : 9:31:51 PM
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I remember the trauma Sue went through when she lost her foal under the anaesthetic, and dont blame you for not wanting to take chances like that with such a young animal.
I've known a couple with only one functional eye, one was used in a ridng school and had lost hers to injury, the other an Anglo brood mare in the next field. Didn't realise till later that she had no usable sight on one side, but she was very bad approached from her blind side, when we discovered the eye problem we treated ther accordingly from her good side and her temperament appeared improved as she knew what was going on.
There was also a TV programme with Derek Knottenbelt from Liverpool Uni vet school about an old childs pony that was still jumping. No-one realised it had gone blind, and was jumping by trusting the riders instructions. Amazing!
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 12:26:46 AM
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Have just looked at the photo Silvia, she is really lovely. Hope it works out wonderfully in the end.
suyen.x |
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georgiauk
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2605 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 07:45:38 AM
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She's stunning and those legs go on forever Good Luck with her. |
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Sadika
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3520 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 09:17:19 AM
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I have seen racehorses still compete successfully with one blind eye or partial sight in one eye. Sleeping Night has apparently limited sight in one eye and he won a race at the Cheltenham Festival last month and followed it up with a 'chase at Aintree on Friday!
There are a couple of Arab mares on a well-known stud who have only one eye (other lost by accident or disease) and they are very successful broodmares. |
Marilyn
     
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 10:57:41 AM
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I have a mare who is blind in one eye; she was born that way and although she is very "jumpy" on that side it doesn't bother her apart from that. I also know of several other horses who have lost an eye due to accidents and are fine; in fact the famous SE stallion Shaikh al Badi who sired so many champions lost an eye.
I am always one to try if there is a good chance of a successful outcome and although it is traumatic for a foal the outcome could make it all worthwhile, only you and the vets can make that decision on the diagnosis and prognosis.
Good luck with your lovely foal.
regards
Barbara |
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silv
Gold Member
United Kingdom
550 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 11:49:29 AM
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Once again thank you all for your nice "one eyed" stories
I think I am going to go for a second opinion too,from a different surgery.
I do feel a little that we may be depriving her......but would not forgive myself if something went wrong.
I have looked into this also.The success rate is around 60-70% BUT.....there is a lot of post operative infection,sometimes months of!These infections can also result in blindness.
She is such a happy thing,doing her bambi impressions in the field
She knows where the fencing is.She is happy for me to approach her "bad" side.
Maybe I am being a little selfish,but would like to keep seeing her this way |
>>>A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't.
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2005 : 12:11:56 PM
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| She's absolutely adorable! Super photos... |
Roseanne |
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