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Cataracts are deep inside the eye, so it is hard to see the milky white opaqueness and some people believe when the outer eye is white and cloudy that it is a cataract. However, that type of situation is the cornea and may become milky or white for several reasons not related to cataracts. In some cases of genetic cataracts, the damage may be very small and not even cause any symptoms. These are usually found during a routine veterinary visit. Cataracts in an older horse are usually more serious and affect both eyes so the horse will need cataract surgery to regain vision.
Cataracts of the eye are a common cause of blindness in horses. In this condition, an opaque white coating covers the eyes, causing cloudy and blurry vision. In young horses, cataracts are a common genetic defect most often seen in Thoroughbred, Morgan, Rocky Mountain and Belgian horses. However, in older horses, cataracts usually affect both eyes and are caused by the swelling from repeated bouts of eye inflammation and irritation. This may be from eye infections or injuries of the eye. When horses are over 20 years old, the cataracts are considered to be senile cataracts. The cause of the senile type of cataracts are thought to be from the lack of antioxidants as the horse gets older caused by repeated eye inflammation.
Cataracts Average Cost
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Average Cost
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The signs that your horse may have cataracts include:
Types
Cataracts are separated into three categories, which are:
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Your equine veterinarian is the best equipped to diagnose cataracts in your horse. The veterinarian will do a comprehensive physical examination including height, weight, temperature, lameness check, body condition score, blood pressure, and breath sounds. Also, the veterinarian will check your horse’s vision and ability to maneuver while walking. Some vision tests such as blink reflex and pupillary light reflex will be done to be sure the retina is not detached.
Laboratory tests needed to rule out other eye diseases include a blood chemical analysis, complete blood count (CBC), blood gases, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), packed cell volume (PCV), and a glucose test. In addition, your veterinarian will need to get cranial x-rays and an ultrasound to look for abnormalities that may be causing the vision trouble. If necessary, a CT scan or MRI will be performed for a more detailed view.
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The only treatment for cataracts in horses is surgical removal of the cataracts. You will most likely be referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for this procedure because this is their specialty. Cataract removal is a common surgery in horses and only takes a short time.
Examination
The ophthalmologist will need to do a vision examination to make sure your horse is a good candidate for this surgery because it is not usually successful in horses with inflammation, infection, or other problems.
Medication
If your horse has a condition, the veterinarian will prescribe medication to treat the problem before surgery can be done. For inflammation, the veterinarian will give corticosteroids and antibiotics for an infection.
Surgery
The surgery to remove cataracts is called phacoemulsification. This is a relatively modern procedure that is done by using a small probe that creates high frequency waves. These ultrasonic waves actually shatter the cataract and turn it into a liquid so it can be vacuumed from the eye. The eye is then stitched up with small absorbable sutures that will be absorbed in the next 6 to 8 weeks.
Observation
The veterinary ophthalmologist will keep your horse in the hospital for about 7 to 10 days for observation and to monitor your pet’s intraocular pressure.
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You will have to spend a lot of time taking care of your horse after the surgery. The veterinarian will give you prescriptions for pain medication, corticosteroids, and antibiotics which you will have to administer 4 to 5 times a day. The medication will have to be continued for about three months. During the recuperation period, your horse must be kept in a darkened stall with little activity. Be sure to return for the follow up appointments and call the veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
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Cataracts Average Cost
From 273 quotes ranging from $4,000 - $9,000
Average Cost
$5,000
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Ask a Vet
Bugsy
Cob
17 Years
Fair severity
2 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My 17 year old horse has cataracts and over the last month has started tripping and being cautious , can’t see Feed bowl and hay as easily . Can I have the cataracts operated on ?
Dec. 28, 2017
Bugsy's Owner
2 Recommendations
It is possible for cataracts to be operated on, you should call your Veterinarian out for an examination to determine if Bugsy is a candidate for the procedure. I have added a link with some interesting information and photos on the subject. http://veterinaryvision.co.uk/equine-cataract-surgery.html
Dec. 28, 2017
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Ruby
Suffolk Punch
20 Years
Moderate severity
1 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My horse has been diagnosed with cateracts. I still hack her out but have noticed for sometime her reluctants to go over road junction white lines. My questions is how long can I go on riding her? or should I stop now. my horse was diagnosed after sustaining an eye lid injury. She has no other symptoms yet but due to her age I am not in a position to have her operated on but happy to keep her in retirement.
Dec. 26, 2017
Ruby's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your questions. To give you an answer on how long it is safe to ride her, I would need to know the extent of the cataracts, and what her vision is like now. That would be a great question to ask your veterinarian, as they have seen her and know how advanced her cataracts are. Otherwise, I would definitely be safe rather than sorry, and error on riding her less if you aren't sure that she's seeing well.
Dec. 26, 2017
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Legacy
New forest cross Cob
29 Months
Serious severity
1 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
I've got a 2 1/2 year old filly she was bred by us so we own both parents and neither have eye sight issues and both have other foals and there is no issues with there eye sight. A year ago her eyes became weepy almost like she had developed conjunctivitis I had the vet check her eyes and he was happy with them and just gave a dose of antibiotics. She's currently out on loan and yesterday the lady had the vet out as over the past couple of days she filly hasn't even been able to find her own food bowl. The vet claims they are genetic. Do they really come on that fast? Within a couple days for her to be completely blind amazes me. She has got scratches on her face they think she itches it in the brambles. The field owner also has a lot of barbed wire on the land. What would your personal opinion be on the cause?
Oct. 27, 2017
Legacy's Owner
1 Recommendations
There are various causes of blindness in horses and may be attributable to genetics, whilst neither parent has any issues nor siblings it doesn’t mean that Legacy doesn’t have any issue; however the role of genetics in relation to conditions like equine recurrent uveitis are still debated with varying opinions. Other causes including infections, parasites, poisoning, trauma may also be involved. I would suggest getting an Ophthalmologist out to check Legacy’s eyes and to see if any treatment or management options are available. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 27, 2017
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no name
Warmblood
11 Years
Mild severity
1 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
How can you diagnose if a cataract is heritable or if it is from trauma, Disease, etc Can a veterinarian tell you if a cataract has been inherited. Is this something that is easy to tell (Trauma V's inherited) Wondering whether to breed my mare who has a possible cataract, i don't want the possibility of passing it on. She is 11, has had no signs of impaired sight up to now (No spooking, jumps great meets her mark every time) i bought her 5 years ago
Oct. 4, 2017
no name's Owner
1 Recommendations
Generally hereditary cataracts are diagnosed based on a thorough history and no other signs of trauma, inflammation or disease. It would be worth consulting with a board certified Ophthalmologist to get more specialised information. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/local_resources/pdfs/pubs-HR27-1-bkm-sec.pdf http://media.news.health.ufl.edu/misc/largeanimal/Equine%20Lens.pdf
Oct. 4, 2017
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Flirt
Warmblood
15 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
A couple days ago my mare slipped on the ice, which is unusual for her as she is careful when its icy out, and it was more slush then ice. Then that night when i went down to feed her i noticed that both her pupils were cloudy which for her is not normal. I have been hand walking her and noticed she's gotten very jumpy, the last time she was this jumpy her had gotten dust in her eye and in a few days it was better, its been a few days and its getting worse. I walked her yesterday and she spooked twice in areas of the arena she's never spooked in before and there was nothing there, also i walk her through a show barn at the stable where i board her to keep her from slipping in the mud and there's a stall with the door open a little bit, she's fine walking away from it but when i walk her towards it she gets really nervous like she's afraid. She moves behind me when she walks which is normally doesn't do and she won't let me anywhere near her eyes to check them. She doesn't like it now when i take her out of her stall to work her and she usually loves being worked. She will turn her whole when looking at something. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow to have her eyes checked. But I was wondering if it could possibly be cataracts or something else that is causing it.
Ranger
Appalossa
25 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My horse is 25 and has been diagnosed with cataracts. He walks into me,barns and can't find the feed or hay bowls. I notice this is only in dark or low light mornings. There is no treatment for him at this time. I'm worried I won't be able to ride him anymore safely.
Cataracts Average Cost
From 273 quotes ranging from $4,000 - $9,000
Average Cost
$5,000
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