Equine uveitis in the UK: a retrospective study (2008-2018).
Abstract: Uveitis appears to be less prevalent in the UK compared with other parts of the world and studies characterising the disease in the UK are lacking. The objectives of this retrospective study were to describe acute and recurrent cases presenting for management of uveitis in a referral hospital on the North West of England and compare the signalment of horses presenting with uveitis with the equine hospital population during the same period. Methods: Medical records of horses presented to the referral Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool with signs of uveitis between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed and clinical details extracted. Results: Seventy horses presented with uveitis; 33 were classified as acute and 37 as recurrent cases. Sixteen of the horses were affected bilaterally. More bilateral cases were classified as recurrent than acute (P=0.04). No differences in age or sex were noted between acute and recurrent cases, or between cases and the general hospital population. Warmbloods and Appaloosas were over-represented when compared with the general hospital population (P<0.001). Twenty-one horses (30 per cent, 95 per cent CI 20.5 to 41.4) underwent surgery for the control of the uveitis. Fourteen of the 70 horses (20.0 per cent, 95 per cent CI 12.3 to 30.8) underwent enucleation. Conclusions: While relatively uncommon in the UK, uveitis can affect horses from a relatively young age. The disease appears to have a relatively higher frequency than expected in Warmbloods and Appaloosas. It is more likely that a recurrent case will have both eyes affected.
© British Veterinary Association 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Publication Date: 2019-10-09 PubMed ID: 31597695DOI: 10.1136/vr.105423Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper explores the prevalence of uveitis, an eye disease, in horses in the UK, between 2008 and 2018. It reveals that while uveitis is relatively less common in the UK compared to other parts of the world, certain breeds are more prone to the disease, and it can often recur, affecting both eyes.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The research aimed to shed light on the characteristics of uveitis in horses in the UK by examining cases treated at a referral hospital in the Northwest of England over a 10-year period.
- It endeavored to describe both acute and recurrent instances of uveitis and compare the disease’s signalment (the description of the animal and its circumstances) with the general population of the hospital.
- For the study, the medical records of horses presented with symptoms of uveitis at the University of Liverpool’s referral Equine Hospital were examined and pertinent clinical details extracted.
Key Findings
- Over the decade-long review, 70 horses were identified as having uveitis, distributed almost equally between acute and recurrent cases.
- More recurrent cases recorded bilateral (affecting both eyes) uveitis than acute ones. Sixteen horses out of the total were reported as having bilateral uveitis.
- There were no noticeable differences found in the age or sex of horses between the acute and recurrent cases, and also between the cases and the general population of the hospital.
- Among the horse breeds, Warmbloods and Appaloosas were found to be over-represented with uveitis compared to the general hospital population.
- Out of the 70, 21 horses (30%) had to undergo surgical interventions for uveitis control and 14 (20%) underwent enucleation, which is the removal of the eye.
Conclusions
- The findings indicate that while uveitis is not pervasive in the UK, it can still afflict horses from a relatively young age.
- Interestingly, Warmbloods and Appaloosas seem to be more susceptible to uveitis than other breeds.
- The researchers also conclude that uveitis is more likely to affect both eyes in recurring instances of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Malalana F, Ireland JL, Pinchbeck G, McGowan CM.
(2019).
Equine uveitis in the UK: a retrospective study (2008-2018).
Vet Rec, 186(3), 92.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105423 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK f.malalana@liverpool.ac.uk.
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
- Uveitis / epidemiology
- Uveitis / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing interests: None declared.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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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