equine recurrent uveitis | Horse Racing Free Tips

Globally, equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the most common cause of blindness in horses. The painful condition was not well understood until recently, but two new discoveries are providing hope for horses suffering from the disease.

Leptospira is often the bacterial infection behind ERU. Leptospirosis can be carried by small rodents that excrete leptospira in their urine, which can contaminate a horse's water and food. Standing water poses an increased risk of leptospira infection. Leptospires can survive in a horse's kidneys and eyes for extended periods. ERU is the result of a systemic infection; it can occur months to years after acute infection.

Drs. Bettina Wollanke, Hartmut Gerhards and Kerstin Ackermann reported that a chronic leptospiral infection in the eye cavity is only possible through biofilm formation. Biofilm is a thin, slimy film of bacteria that adheres to a surface.

Though antibiotics are often used in ERU treatment, biofilm bacteria are often resistant as the biofilm acts as a literal barrier to the infection. Additionally, the specific type of bacteria and antibiotic, as well as growth conditions, all play a role in how effective antibiotics can be.

This explains why ERU episodes are sporadic as well as why they can last for many years. It also explains why clinical signs may occur months or years after the systemic infection.

The trio concluded that ERU can be treated by the removal of the vitreous material that fills the middle part of the eye, where leptospirosis can reside undetected for years. The researchers note that it is important to determine that the horse is suffering from ERU and not another form of uveitis, in which case the removal of the material may not be helpful.

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The study team notes that if the eye does not improve that surgery may be needed.

More research is needed. Read more at HorseTalk.

The post Two Game-Changing Discoveries Suggest New Treatment For Horses Suffering From Uveitis appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Every Appaloosa over the age of 12 should have an eye exam to ensure the horse isn't suffering from equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) or moon blindness, a disease that disproportionately affects the breed. As the disease progresses, it can lead to blindness.

A study by Drs. Sandmeyer, Nicole Kingsley, Cheryl Walder, Sheila Archer, Marina Leis, Rebecca Bellone and Bianca Bauer completed a retrospective study using horses that were referred to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Canada.The research team found that ERU occurred 13 percent more often in Apps than in other breeds; of all horses at the hospital who had ERU, Appaloosas made up 62.5 percent of the ERU cases.

The study team then had board-certified ophthalmologists examine 145 Appaloosas on 11 farms in Western Canada to determine what risk factors Appaloosas have that may be relevant to ERU development. They sought to study if coat pattern correlated at all with ERU risk: Specifically, if Appaloosas that had extensive white were more at risk to develop ERU.

Horses were categorized as having no signs or mild, moderate or severe signs of ERU. Of the 145 horses examined, 20 (14%) were confirmed with ERU. The research team determined that:

ERU occurred 11 percent of the time in horses with few spots; 29 percent of the time in Apps with white blankets and no spots (called snowcap); 15 percent in leopard apps, which are white with spots all over; 11 percent on Apps with a white rump that has spots and 13 percent of the time in Apps with no patterning over the topline
There was no association between gender or base coat color and ERU
Age is a significant risk factor; 12.3 years old being the mean age of affected horses. For each year older, the odds of ERU increased 1.15 times
The study did not find ERU in horses that had white-flecked coats, lace blankets or solid coloration that does not roan with age
Apps with leopard spotting are at increased risk for ERU
A common ancestor was identified in 83 percent of affected horses within eight generations, and five were inbred to that ancestor

The scientists determined that many horses have chronic, low-grade clinical signs of ERU that go undetected until the condition worsens. Because of this, it's imperative that owners of Appaloosas have their eyes checked yearly, specifically after 12 years old.

Tag: equine recurrent uveitis

Two Game-Changing Discoveries Suggest New Treatment For Horses Suffering From Uveitis

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