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Sheila Everett (Stella)
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2001 - 10:13 am: |   |
We have 5 out of 23 horses that have developed uveitis due to an acute lepto outbreak. We have tested our water and it was negative. We have a large deer population on our farm, but no other "risk" factors, from what I can tell. One mare is totally blind, and 2 others with partial loss of vision in one eye. We are treating with Banamine, Bute, and an antibiotic/cortisone ointment. Any information would be greatly appreciated. What are the test strips that I have seen posted? We have 2 that are for sale with interested parties. Is it safe for them to leave the farm? Thank you. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 7:04 am: | |
Hello Sheila,
I am interested in why you think this is Leptospirosis induced. Though it is very plausible it will help me evaluate the situation.
THe ultimate source of all leptospirosis is the urine of infedted animals and any animal can be responsible including the horses themselves. Some animals become adapted hosts and chronically shed the organism without displaying any symptomology themselves. Infection occurs following penetration of a mucous membrane or from contamination of a cut. Probably one time testing of water sources is not reliable. However deep well water is an unlikely source while surface water like ponds and streams WILL be intermittently infective. Almost all animals become exposed at some time and the outcome depends on pathogenicity of the organism which varies widely from not at all to life threatening. In a recent survey factors that were associated with increasing titers to Lepto were:
1) the population density of horses turned out together
2) age of horse
3) rodent exposure
4) exposure to exposed soil
5) exposure to surface water
I have had some that I have consulted for report to me that they used the cattle Letospirosis vaccines but as to whether they were helpful was difficult to evaluate, some thought so. The safety and efficacy of this procedure has not been evaluated. If I were in a position where this was an option for me I would only vaccinate those who's titers indicated there was no recent exposure and those with no recurrent uveitis.
I am not sure what test strips you are refering to.
DrO |
3rsatsmf (3rsatsmf)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 10:25 am: | |
...could the test strips be for corneal ulcers? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 1:54 pm: | |
Ahhh, florascein strips. They are used to detect exposed corneal stroma (ulcers) that may not be readily apparent through any other means.
DrO |
Sheila Everett (Stella)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2001 - 10:25 pm: | |
Dr.O,
Our vet is thinking the uveitis is caused from lepto because we had 4 out of 5 horses tested come back positive by blood work. The mare that is totally blind had the highest titer he has ever seen. Do you have any other ideas as to what would cause such a rash of uveitis is such a short amount of time? The horses range in age from 3 to 14. Since this posting, another mare has symptoms. We are in the process of treating all horses with penicillin and gentamicin twice a day for 3 days. This is the course of action that a vet at our state university has suggested. We are willing to do anything at this point.
I am curious in your reply about the exposed soil. Is that soil that has been exposed to lepto? Are rodents more of a source than deer? Is it true that lepto has to remain in water to survive?
Thank you for any help you can provide. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 7:33 am: | |
When they say exposed soil they mean: dirt that does not have any grass on it. Whether deer or rodents are more of a problem depends on your circumnstances: which do you have more of in such a situation that the horses can be exposed to the urine. No I don't think it has to be in water to expose a horse, but the exact amount of moisture required vs how long it will remain viable I am unsure of. I will see what I can find out.
I think if your horses are displaying remarkable titers this is strong evidence for Lepto. Many other organisms, viral bacterial and protozoan, have been implicated as a cause of RU but none as dependably as Lepto.
DrO |
Garnet
Member
Username: Garnet
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 2, 2003 - 9:18 pm: | |
Did you find out anything about the exposed soil question? We have rocky poor soil and there is a lot of exposed dirt and lots of white tail deer.
Do you do paired titers in non-symptomatic horses to determine if it is advisable to give the cattle vaccine?
Should I have posted this under this post since it is related or under the new post I just made about my own RU horse?
Thanks! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7731
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 3, 2003 - 9:07 am: | |
Let see Garnet, no, since you ask for a clarification of a statement made earlier in this post this is fine, and thanks for asking.
No I am afraid there was little else on moisture content of soil vs viability of the Lepto. I presume the wetter the longer it survives but have no numbers.
Let me say I do not use the cattle vaccine and do not recommend its use for the reasons outlined above.
But if you chose to use it, no I would not pair the samples, high levels would indicate that its use is not needed (exposure and a immune response have already happened) and low levels would indicate that vaccination might help. It should not be used in those already afflicted with RU. There is a good chance it will make things worse.
DrO |
