Jingle request.... and any experience with foals with vision loss?

[Dressage_Diva333]

Unfortunately on Thursday evening one of my 4 month old colts sustained one of the most horrific injuries I’ve ever seen He basically sliced open his eye, and the contents were spilling out. I took him immediately to UC Davis. The vets said there is no way to salvage the eye even cosmetically (which is the least of my concerns the little fella has a home here forever even if just a pet). The right eye is scheduled to be removed tomorrow. The very sad surprise was that an injury to the left eye that happened at about a month old, has caused chronic inflammation in that eye. Its not clear how much vision he has in that one at this point. He had a lavage system inserted and has an ‘eye saver’ on. He is completely blind obviously when that is on. There is some degree of vision when I take it off. We are treating that eye aggressively and awaiting the results of the culture on it.

At this point, he is being very good. Tolerating treatments and remaining calm. I have known plenty of horses who have had eyes removed later on life, never a foal though. He will be going back to Davis is 2 weeks to recheck vision in the left eye. Obviously a lot depends on that. I am so concerned about his well being… any experiences, good or bad would be appreciated. Also some jingles (I know the power of COTH jingles!). He’s being a trooper so far. I can PM photos for anybody that likes gross injuries like that.

[Laurierace]

The fact that he was born with sight is good. I had one born once with no eyes and his ten hours of life were horrific. He screamed and smashed himself into the stall walls the entire time. Jingles you are able to save the remaining eye.

[tucktaway]

I am so sorry for you and your colt!

I wonder if his vision was already impaired in the right eye and this contributed to him injuring it. If that was the case, he may not be as compromised while you treat the left eye as a horse who was fully visual.

Either way, massive jingles for successful treatment and recovery of the remaining eye!!!

[ElegantExpressionsFa]

I am sending huge jingles your way for your little guy!!

I know of someone who had a foal born with no eyes (or they were super small maybe? Either way he no eyesight), his owner did an amazing job with him and he is now a happy healthy two (or three?) year old who plays out in the field like the other horses!

[Kyzteke]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;7190822]
The fact that he was born with sight is good. I had one born once with no eyes and his ten hours of life were horrific. He screamed and smashed himself into the stall walls the entire time. Jingles you are able to save the remaining eye.[/QUOTE]

Horrific is not the word…I can’t imagine going through that. You poor gal…

[Kyzteke]

Massive Jingles from here.

I have no experience with this, but I do know horses who are kept in familiar pastures with belled buddies do very well even with no sight.

Here’s hoping you don’t have to find out…

[back_in_the_saddle]

I’m sorry. I hope this turns out ok for the foal.

Jingles for you as well. I’d be beside myself.

[Blume_Farm]

Huge jingles for you and your little guy. I would raise a one eyed horse, even if the other eye had limited sight. Complete blindness would be a much harder call. It would really depend on the temperament of the individual animal. Sounds like this little guy has a good mind though…and a great owner for going the full mile with him.

I wish you all the best with a hard road road to travel…jingles, jingles, jingles.

[jennywho]

Jingles

[Dressage_Diva333]

Thank you so much everyone. It’s absolutely devastating to me that a foal has to go through this. Just a couple days ago he was running and playing and being a colt, happy as can be. Even though I cannot find anything obvious that caused the injury, the guilt is overwhelming. I’ve looked in the area he was at many times, he had been living there for over a month. I’ll probably never know.

It’s a very real possibility that we’ve been discussing that his vision was impaired before all this happened. Regardless, now we are going to fight like h**l to give the best chance possible of being comfortable and safe. He whinnied this afternoon when I went into the stall, and followed my voice to me. Absolutely broke my heart. He’s eating, nursing, drinking. As long as he tells me he’s willing to keep going, then I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m so impressed with how well he’s doing all of this.

Here is a photo album of little Arkham:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151817550471942.1073741829.270894961941&type=1&l=c482657da1

[TrueColours]

What a gorgeous colt.

I am SO sorry. {{{HUGS}}} and jingles and whatever else I can send to help make him better

Such an awful shame. He’s stunning …

[dianehalpin]

What a lovely boy, and I am also so very sorry about the latest eye injury. He’s in my prayers, and I am jingling like crazy for him and all of those who love him.

Diane Halpin/Laurel Leaf Hanoverians: Facebook.

[Polydor]

Gorgeous boy! Big jingles for you and him.

P.

[Fred]

What a beautiful little fellow. I am so sorry for him and for you, and am hoping for the best.

[rodawn]

Don’t feel guilty. You can’t possibly find and fix every little flaw in the paddock that could potentially cause injury.

I had a mare basically scalp herself this summer. NO IDEA what she did it on. The injury was horrible and lifted the entire cap of skin right off her skull from basically mid forehead, up under her forelock and over to where her right ear entered her skull. You could lift the whole flap when you lifted the forelock. The skull bone was exposed and even gouged. And of course there was blood everywhere since heads bleed profusely. Many, many stitches later she healed, thankfully, and not even a scar.

But the whole point of my little story is that I never found whatever it was that she got into despite searching everywhere.

You just can’t keep their world perfect.

I hope your little guy has a happy outcome in spite of the up-coming challenges in front of you now.

[CrowneDragon]

I have nothing to offer but jingles and hugs.
So sorry you’re going through this!

[Dressage_Diva333]

Thank you so much everyone! The little fella had his surgery today, the right eye was removed, all went well. Upon further examination the right eye was completely obliterated. There was nothing covering the lens. It was definitely the right thing to do. He will have to wear the eye saver over the left eye at least until his recheck in a little less than two weeks, as one of the meds he’s on will cause the pupil to dilate. Here’s hoping it’s good news on the recheck and he can begin adjusting to his new life as soon as possible…

[Home_Again_Farm]

Jingling like mad for your little beauty. I am so very sorry for what you both are going through. Praying for a good outcome!

[Blume_Farm]

Glad to hear the surgery went well!! That is good news. Huge jingles the next two weeks go smoothly and his recheck exam is all good news:)

[Sunnydays]

As you said, as long as he is able to feel safe and enjoy life, you should sustain him. I hope he recovers well, and bless you for being such a good mom/caregiver.