She is moonblind.....sad update

paso_lover · 08-20-2008, 11:24 AM

The pony might have moon blindness

. We asked all the right questions and her having lessons horses, all have had their regular check ups, as recent as 3 months ago. When we first looked at her, she was underweight as she had a foal and had gained most of it back in the 3 weeks since we had seen her.

All her hay was in by the time we got there and we noticed that her eyes were watering and were told that is was allergies do the dust in the hay. True as all the centers were eaten out

. The eyes were very important to the mom and we were reasured that they were good and were given the vets # to call.

Now it's been almost a week and her eyes are still watery and cloudy. Mom called the pony's vet and he told her that last year he suggested she may have it

. I emailed the woman and she told me nope

. That he took a bunch of tests when she had gotten a bur in it but no MB was present. Hummmm fishy much???? So tomorrow MY vet is coming out to tell us the truth.

Not sure what's gonna happen with the pony now tho

. They are heart broken to say the least. We'll see tomorrow I guess

Oh BTW anyone here with it?? Do you still ride your horse??

Freedomnchrist · 08-20-2008, 11:27 AM

Oh no! That is awful!

Carri · 08-20-2008, 11:27 AM

Oh, no! I am so sorry to hear that!

We do not have one with moonblindness, but Cricket has reduced vision in her left eye, and she is still very functional and rideable. It just took a while for her to trust Anna, and now she does anything for her.

Opie'e eyes water all the time from allergies.

Appylover · 08-20-2008, 11:42 AM

I have ridden one and he was awesome. Even at night! They can still be ridden but I think that they cant see very well at night. I hope that helps!

PeggySue · 08-20-2008, 11:49 AM

are you talking UVeyetis?? it is managable ... get a good flymask with UV protection and have the treatment meds on hand for flareups...

paso_lover · 08-20-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appylover

I have ridden one and he was awesome. Even at night! They can still be ridden but I think that they cant see very well at night. I hope that helps!

Was he yours?? What was the course of action regarding his treatment during flare ups?? Or was he on daily drops?? How long do the flair ups last?? My vet told me to keep putting in the BMP 2x daily till he gets here but I'm pretty sure thats not enough to fix it, just enough to manage it so he can see the damage.

kytrailrider · 08-20-2008, 11:51 AM

i have a horse who has it he is a awesome kids horse. We still ride him. He has it in both eyes. He will get a severe case about 3-4 times a year and it lasts about a week. It doesn't always affect both eyes, so it possible that one eye will have it and the other won't. It is very important to buy a fly mask with high UV protection. It will help to keep dust out of his eyes and the sun. It causes the eye to dilate and bright sunlight causes discomfort. Our situation was the same as yours. He had a sm blue speck i just figured he had got something in his eye. came home one day and he was totally blind. Only time i ever had a problem was when i had an aggressive mare and she would run him into the fence. The other horses watch out for him and he follows them to graze.

paso_lover · 08-20-2008, 11:54 AM

Does the fly mask stay on all the time or just during flair ups??

Akita it Girl · 08-20-2008, 11:55 AM

The best little saddlebred mare I ever had had Moon blindness. She went completely blind at 19 and I gave her to a friend of mine, who she trusted completely. She is 27 and they still go for a ride everyday.

paso_lover · 08-20-2008, 11:57 AM

Can you guys give me a medicinal yearly cost for having one?? Trying to get info for them when they get here later.

PeggySue · 08-20-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paso_lover

Does the fly mask stay on all the time or just during flair ups??

The flymask stays on anytime the sun is out.. all daylight hours!!!

there is also an oniment that you put in the eyes for flare ups

RedHotTamale17 · 08-20-2008, 12:08 PM

Hi,
I had an appy with moon blindness, YES do get a good quality fly mask with lots of UV protection, the fly mask MUST stay on all time during the day EVEN in the winter, you are protecting the eyes not only for the gnats anflies that will cause flare ups but also from the sun that really irritates the already inflammated eyes. I used a mild apsrin powder daily that helped reduce the inflammation. you can buy it from horse.com for about $7 for a 30 day supply. It does help keeping the inflammation down. ALSO during flare ups ask you vet about drops....i do not have the horse anymore but he has some drops that had small amounts of steroids to help cut down the redness and inflammation also when it got really bad.....but yest to answer your question about eriding we rode trinity a lot and he had been a lesson horse his entire life, never bothered him. I made sure to turn him out at night with a gentle buddy to act his "eyes" you will be surprised how quickly they adapt, trinity would carefully walk very close to his buddy who kind of guided him out to the grass. I also kept him in a failry lit paddock at times as well. they do have a little harder time at night but if you catch it quickly and use the asprin and fly mask consistently you can reduce the rate at which it gets worse, there is no cure but these tips above will help make your horse comfortable and keep it from progressing as quickly....hope this helps and good luck!
PS. appys with the pink around theire eyes, bald face horses and blue eyed horses seem to be more the most prone to moon blindness....the sun damages the skin and the eyes quicker because they are more prone to sun burn.....so get that fly mask!

RedHotTamale17 · 08-20-2008, 12:14 PM

http://www.horse.com/Horse-Supplemen...der-BWA50.html

http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/pro...GKB1 XA7E3VV5

These are 2 of the asprin powder brands i used

http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/pro...6ME5&pf_id=229

I believe this may be the ointment i used in his eyes but not 100% sure

Appylover · 08-20-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paso_lover

Was he yours?? What was the course of action regarding his treatment during flare ups?? Or was he on daily drops?? How long do the flair ups last?? My vet told me to keep putting in the BMP 2x daily till he gets here but I'm pretty sure thats not enough to fix it, just enough to manage it so he can see the damage.

No he was not. He was a friends horse. His name is Cash. Hes a AQHA I do not know his registered name. Sorry

. I havent heard from them for awhile. But I see them a couple times a year.

kytrailrider · 08-20-2008, 12:27 PM

i keep a flymask on all day during the summer, off at night, can go with out it some in the winter. There is an ointment, but i believe it is more for the discomfort. It doesn't cost very much to keep him up, other than a fly mask, but eventually i am sure mine will go blind because he has it in both eyes. Give your vet a call and see what he recommends. You can also read up on it on the internet.

kytrailrider · 08-20-2008, 12:33 PM

Are his eyes just cloudy like a film or a white color? When mine gets it his eyes turn almost white/blue, and you can see what looks like particles in the bottom of the eyes. It is best to keep them out of the sun during the day and let them out at night if possible when they have an attack. We have to let ours out all day or he will worry himself to a frenzy trying to get back to his buddies.

sjf · 08-20-2008, 01:08 PM

I have a 6 year old appaloosa gelding that was diagnosed with uevitis in February of this year. He gets aspirin daily, and wears a fly mask whenever he is out during daylight hours, all seasons. He has not had a flare up since I have been doing this. The aspirin is very inexpensive, and he does tear up a fly mask occasionally, but the cost of maintaining him is not significantly affected by the uevitis. I also have a tube of ointment for when he flares up, but haven't had to use any since February. He does have some vision impairment, but I ride him on some pretty rough trails with no problem. I do, of course, take his vision into consideration when I ride him, and he does fine. He also gets turned out on pasture with other horses and no problem there. I am sure that he will go blind some day, but he is an awesome horse that I wouldn't trade for anything. If the pony suits the needs of these folks, I would think with not too much trouble or cost they could enjoy him for quite some time.

paso_lover · 08-21-2008, 07:49 AM

She's a 16 yr old POA, at around what age do they tend to go blind?? Or does it depend on the individual horse.

PeggySue · 08-21-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paso_lover

She's a 16 yr old POA, at around what age do they tend to go blind?? Or does it depend on the individual horse.

It depends on the horse and the care they recieve and how deligent the owner is about watching the eye and getting prompt treatment when it flares up and keeping the fly mask on at all times during the day... I have one friend who even rides in her flymask

paso_lover · 08-21-2008, 10:15 PM

It's been a long lousy day and I'm going to bed but the update is that what the vet said is not good and they may be returning her

. She's going to talk to the vet again tomorrow and the previous owner. I suggested that maybe she get her money back and keep the horse cuz that place is not a good place for her to be. What a dangerous DUMP

. She's just way better off here. Oh well not my call.

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08-20-2008, 11:24 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,466	She is moonblind.....sad update The pony might have moon blindness . We asked all the right questions and her having lessons horses, all have had their regular check ups, as recent as 3 months ago. When we first looked at her, she was underweight as she had a foal and had gained most of it back in the 3 weeks since we had seen her. All her hay was in by the time we got there and we noticed that her eyes were watering and were told that is was allergies do the dust in the hay. True as all the centers were eaten out . The eyes were very important to the mom and we were reasured that they were good and were given the vets # to call. Now it's been almost a week and her eyes are still watery and cloudy. Mom called the pony's vet and he told her that last year he suggested she may have it . I emailed the woman and she told me nope . That he took a bunch of tests when she had gotten a bur in it but no MB was present. Hummmm fishy much???? So tomorrow MY vet is coming out to tell us the truth. Not sure what's gonna happen with the pony now tho . They are heart broken to say the least. We'll see tomorrow I guess Oh BTW anyone here with it?? Do you still ride your horse?? __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda Last edited by paso_lover : 08-24-2008 at 09:50 AM.

08-20-2008, 11:27 AM
Freedomnchrist Greenbroke Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,312	Oh no! That is awful!

08-20-2008, 11:27 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,980	Oh, no! I am so sorry to hear that! We do not have one with moonblindness, but Cricket has reduced vision in her left eye, and she is still very functional and rideable. It just took a while for her to trust Anna, and now she does anything for her. Opie'e eyes water all the time from allergies. __________________

08-20-2008, 11:42 AM
Appylover Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,194	I have ridden one and he was awesome. Even at night! They can still be ridden but I think that they cant see very well at night. I hope that helps! __________________ Does my horse really LOVE me or is she ONLY using me for food?!

08-20-2008, 11:49 AM
PeggySue Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 525	are you talking UVeyetis?? it is managable ... get a good flymask with UV protection and have the treatment meds on hand for flareups...

08-20-2008, 11:51 AM
kytrailrider Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 138	i have a horse who has it he is a awesome kids horse. We still ride him. He has it in both eyes. He will get a severe case about 3-4 times a year and it lasts about a week. It doesn't always affect both eyes, so it possible that one eye will have it and the other won't. It is very important to buy a fly mask with high UV protection. It will help to keep dust out of his eyes and the sun. It causes the eye to dilate and bright sunlight causes discomfort. Our situation was the same as yours. He had a sm blue speck i just figured he had got something in his eye. came home one day and he was totally blind. Only time i ever had a problem was when i had an aggressive mare and she would run him into the fence. The other horses watch out for him and he follows them to graze.

08-20-2008, 11:54 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,466	Does the fly mask stay on all the time or just during flair ups?? __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-20-2008, 11:55 AM
Akita it Girl Weanling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Md Posts: 344	The best little saddlebred mare I ever had had Moon blindness. She went completely blind at 19 and I gave her to a friend of mine, who she trusted completely. She is 27 and they still go for a ride everyday. __________________ Everyone has their hobbies...mine just happens to include whips, spurs and leather.

08-20-2008, 11:57 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,466	Can you guys give me a medicinal yearly cost for having one?? Trying to get info for them when they get here later. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-20-2008, 12:08 PM
RedHotTamale17 Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 28	I had a horse with moon blindness! Hi, I had an appy with moon blindness, YES do get a good quality fly mask with lots of UV protection, the fly mask MUST stay on all time during the day EVEN in the winter, you are protecting the eyes not only for the gnats anflies that will cause flare ups but also from the sun that really irritates the already inflammated eyes. I used a mild apsrin powder daily that helped reduce the inflammation. you can buy it from horse.com for about $7 for a 30 day supply. It does help keeping the inflammation down. ALSO during flare ups ask you vet about drops....i do not have the horse anymore but he has some drops that had small amounts of steroids to help cut down the redness and inflammation also when it got really bad.....but yest to answer your question about eriding we rode trinity a lot and he had been a lesson horse his entire life, never bothered him. I made sure to turn him out at night with a gentle buddy to act his "eyes" you will be surprised how quickly they adapt, trinity would carefully walk very close to his buddy who kind of guided him out to the grass. I also kept him in a failry lit paddock at times as well. they do have a little harder time at night but if you catch it quickly and use the asprin and fly mask consistently you can reduce the rate at which it gets worse, there is no cure but these tips above will help make your horse comfortable and keep it from progressing as quickly....hope this helps and good luck! PS. appys with the pink around theire eyes, bald face horses and blue eyed horses seem to be more the most prone to moon blindness....the sun damages the skin and the eyes quicker because they are more prone to sun burn.....so get that fly mask! __________________ Amanda Wolfe- Windy Wood Farms (Lexington SC) http://www.windywoodfarms.bravehost.com A horse is the projection of people's dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence -- Pam Brown

08-20-2008, 12:14 PM
RedHotTamale17 Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 28	http://www.horse.com/Horse-Supplemen...der-BWA50.html http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/pro...GKB1 XA7E3VV5 These are 2 of the asprin powder brands i used http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/pro...6ME5&pf_id=229 I believe this may be the ointment i used in his eyes but not 100% sure __________________ Amanda Wolfe- Windy Wood Farms (Lexington SC) http://www.windywoodfarms.bravehost.com A horse is the projection of people's dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence -- Pam Brown

08-20-2008, 12:27 PM
kytrailrider Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 138	i keep a flymask on all day during the summer, off at night, can go with out it some in the winter. There is an ointment, but i believe it is more for the discomfort. It doesn't cost very much to keep him up, other than a fly mask, but eventually i am sure mine will go blind because he has it in both eyes. Give your vet a call and see what he recommends. You can also read up on it on the internet.

08-20-2008, 12:33 PM
kytrailrider Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 138	Are his eyes just cloudy like a film or a white color? When mine gets it his eyes turn almost white/blue, and you can see what looks like particles in the bottom of the eyes. It is best to keep them out of the sun during the day and let them out at night if possible when they have an attack. We have to let ours out all day or he will worry himself to a frenzy trying to get back to his buddies.

08-20-2008, 01:08 PM
sjf Newborn Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 2	I have a 6 year old appaloosa gelding that was diagnosed with uevitis in February of this year. He gets aspirin daily, and wears a fly mask whenever he is out during daylight hours, all seasons. He has not had a flare up since I have been doing this. The aspirin is very inexpensive, and he does tear up a fly mask occasionally, but the cost of maintaining him is not significantly affected by the uevitis. I also have a tube of ointment for when he flares up, but haven't had to use any since February. He does have some vision impairment, but I ride him on some pretty rough trails with no problem. I do, of course, take his vision into consideration when I ride him, and he does fine. He also gets turned out on pasture with other horses and no problem there. I am sure that he will go blind some day, but he is an awesome horse that I wouldn't trade for anything. If the pony suits the needs of these folks, I would think with not too much trouble or cost they could enjoy him for quite some time.

08-21-2008, 07:49 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,466	She's a 16 yr old POA, at around what age do they tend to go blind?? Or does it depend on the individual horse. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-21-2008, 10:15 PM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,466	It's been a long lousy day and I'm going to bed but the update is that what the vet said is not good and they may be returning her . She's going to talk to the vet again tomorrow and the previous owner. I suggested that maybe she get her money back and keep the horse cuz that place is not a good place for her to be. What a dangerous DUMP . She's just way better off here. Oh well not my call. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda