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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2017; 58(7); 717-722;

Equine recurrent uveitis in western Canadian prairie provinces: A retrospective study (2002-2015).

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the demographics of horses with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) presenting to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and to describe and compare the prognosis of ERU in the Appaloosa with that in other breeds. Horses diagnosed with ERU by a veterinary ophthalmologist between 2002 and 2015 were included. Eye lesions were classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on clinical manifestations. Breed, age, severity, blindness, and final outcome were evaluated. Thirty-two horses fit the inclusion criteria; 62.5% were Appaloosas. Mean age at presentation was 12.13 ± 4.6 years. Equine recurrent uveitis was bilateral in 93.6% of horses and was severe in 59.4% of eyes at presentation. Bilateral blindness was present in 59.4% of horses at last follow-up. Of 27 horses available for follow-up, 63% were euthanized due to ERU. No significant differences in age, severity, blindness, or rate of euthanasia were noted between Appaloosas and other breeds. The Appaloosa is at increased risk for ERU, which is a devastating ocular disease. Uvéite équine récurrente dans les provinces de l’Ouest canadien : étude rétrospective (2002–2015). L’objectif de cette étude consistait à déterminer les données démographiques des chevaux atteints d’uvéite équine récurrente (UER) présentés au Western College of Veterinary Medicine et de décrire et de comparer le pronostic de l’UER chez les chevaux Appaloosa avec celui des autres races. Les chevaux diagnostiqués entre 2002 et 2015 comme étant atteints de l’UER par un ophtalmologiste vétérinaire ont été inclus. Les lésions à l’œil étaient classées comme étant légères, modérées ou graves selon les manifestations cliniques. La race, l’âge, la gravité, la cécité et le résultat final ont été évalués. Trente-deux chevaux correspondaient aux critères d’inclusion : 62,5 % étaient des chevaux Appaloosa. L’âge moyen à la présentation était de 12,13 ans ± 4,6 années. L’uvéite équine récurrente était bilatérale chez 93,6 % des chevaux et était grave pour 59,4 % des yeux à la présentation. La cécité bilatérale était présente chez 59,4 % des chevaux au dernier suivi. Parmi les 27 chevaux disponibles pour le suivi, 63 % ont été euthanasiés en raison de l’UER. Aucune différence significative au niveau de l’âge, de la gravité, de la cécité ou du taux d’euthanasie n’a été signalée entre les chevaux Appaloosa et les autres races. Les chevaux Appaloosa présentent un risque accru d’UER, qui est une maladie oculaire dévastatrice.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2017-07-13 PubMed ID: 28698690PubMed Central: PMC5501119
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses a retrospective study on horses diagnosed with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) between 2002 and 2015 at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. This study aimed to understand the demographics and prognosis of ERU, with a particular focus on the Appaloosa breed compared to others.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The objective of this research was to determine the characteristics of horses diagnosed with equine recurrent uveitis, a debilitating eye disease common in horses, particularly focusing on the Appaloosa breed.
  • The study employed a retrospective approach, assessing all horses diagnosed between 2002 and 2015 at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Eye lesions were classified based on severity, which ranged from mild to severe, based on their clinical manifestations.
  • Demographic data collected comprised the horse’s breed, age, severity of the condition, blindness, and ultimate outcome.

Data and Results

  • Thirty-two horses met the inclusion criteria for the study, with 62.5% being Appaloosas.
  • The average age of horses at diagnosis was approximately 12 years.
  • ERU was bilateral in over 93% of the horses, and severe in nearly 60% of the eyes assessed.
  • Bilateral blindness was present in nearly 60% of the horses at their last follow-up.
  • Of the 27 horses that were available for follow-up, 63% were euthanized due to ERU.
  • No notable differences were observed in age, severity, blindness, or euthanasia rates between Appaloosa horses and those of other breeds.

Conclusion

  • Despite no noticeable differences in the manifestation of ERU between the Appaloosa breed and others, it was concluded that Appaloosa horses are at a higher risk for ERU.
  • The study highlights the devastating nature of ERU, showing a high rate of severe presentation and euthanasia.

Cite This Article

APA
Sandmeyer LS, Bauer BS, Feng CX, Grahn BH. (2017). Equine recurrent uveitis in western Canadian prairie provinces: A retrospective study (2002-2015). Can Vet J, 58(7), 717-722.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 7
Pages: 717-722

Researcher Affiliations

Sandmeyer, Lynne S
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Sandmeyer, Bauer, Grahn), Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Feng), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
Bauer, Bianca S
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Sandmeyer, Bauer, Grahn), Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Feng), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
Feng, Cindy Xin
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Sandmeyer, Bauer, Grahn), Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Feng), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
Grahn, Bruce H
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Sandmeyer, Bauer, Grahn), Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Feng), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Female
  • Grassland
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uveitis / epidemiology
  • Uveitis / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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  3. Ing ST, Pinard CL, James-Jenks EM, Leis ML. A retrospective survey of equine ocular diseases evaluated at a referral hospital in Ontario (2011 to 2021). Can Vet J 2025 Mar;66(3):308-317.
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