Eye treatment for horses that headshake

Eye treatment for horses that headshake Not only is headshaking an irritating and frustrating problem for the rider, it is an indication that the horse is suffering pain and discomfort. The problem is often worse in the summer. Numerous causes have been identified, making it a challenging condition to investigate. Occasionally a physical abnormality affecting the sinuses, teeth  or ears may  be detected. Often no physical abnormality can be found. Many cases are thought to be the result of pain in the trigeminal nerve that innervates the nose and face. Various treatment strategies have been used, with inconsistent results.  A novel treatment suggests that, at least in some cases, an allergic condition is involved. A report, by Dr Catherine Stalin and others  in the Veterinary Record, describes three cases of seasonal headshaking that responded to treatment with sodium cromoglycate drops. The three horses were so severely affected that  they could not be ridden. Headshaking started, or grew worse, when the horses brought in to the light from a dark stable. All horses showed signs of excessive tear production and photophobia.

Sodium cromoglycate eye drops were successful in relieving the condition, where previous treatments including corticosteroids (dexamethasone) had not.

One horse had suffered seasonal headshaking for the previous two years. Within a few minutes of starting treatment with sodium cromoglycate eye drops it stopped headshaking and could be ridden.

Sodium cromoglycate acts by stabilising mast cells, preventing them releasing histamine as part of the allergic response.

The response to treatment suggests that in these cases the cause of the headshaking was an allergic conjunctivitis. It was, however, interesting that there had been no response to dexamethasone which might have been expected to relieve signs of allergy. Perhaps, the authors suggested, this was more than a purely allergic condition, or maybe cromoglycate has other modes of action that are not yet understood.

For more details see:

Treatment of seasonal headshaking in three horses with sodium cromoglycate eye drops.
CE Stalin, IP Boydell, RE Pike.
Veterinary Record (2008)  163, 305 -306

Reproduced with kind permission of Mark Andrews BVM&S CertEP MRCVS
© Copyright Mark Andrews  - Equine Science Update 2008

More Articles by Mark Andrews BVM&S CertEP MRCVS

Email this article to a friend or share

---

Voices for Horses offers news, articles and videos from third party providers unless otherwise stated. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed or content and make it available to you only as a service. All news items, articles and videos are copyright of the authors, film makers and original publications.

<< Back to Advice and Information