b'HORSES OVER 30joint. Xandrias owner had noticed mild2.9% of the general equine population.of age or older. The prevalence of ocular to moderate lameness in both forelimbsThe reason why many aged poniesdisease in horses over 30? 100%. He when the 33-year-old mare meanderedand Arabians fall prey is that they tend tofound, however, that only 3.5% of owners around the paddock. She also observedlive longer, and PPID is well-associatedreported concerns regarding their horses swelling in the front fetlocks. The vetwith age, says McGowan. In a 2013eyes, and only 2.6% perceived eyesight as noted that Xandrias range of motion instudy I reported that the odds of devel- an important health issue. those joints decreases with every visit.oping PPID increased by 18% each yearThis might be, at least partially, Because articular cartilage cannot re- from 15 years of age. So by the time abecause few ocular conditions result in generate, the veterinarians goal is to keephorse is 36, then the luck of the Irish maycomplete blindness. Plus, Malalana says the mare as comfortable as possible. Vanwell run out! only 5.5% of horses with diminished Weeren says this includes a combinationAdvancing age appears to be the mainvision have a reduced menace response of intra-articular therapies, non-steroidalrisk factor for PPID, says Ireland, add- (veterinarians check for this by waving anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral jointing that by the time a veterinarian firsta hand while moving it rapidly toward healthsupplements. diagnoses the condition, most horses arethe horses eye, looking for the horse to Management strategies falling intoaround 21 years old. blink). the category of other, but not to beThe good news for Patrick is thatLets now meet Victor, a 32-year-old viewed as second-class recommendations,with appropriate treatment, such as oralQuarter Horse gelding with reduced tear include weight management, appropriatepergolide medication and routine farriery,production and mild sinking of his globes shoeing, physiotherapy to optimize jointhe can expect to live for several more(eyeballs) due to orbital fat loss associ-stability, and controlled exercise that doesyears and perhaps up to another decade,ated with old age. Together, these can not reach the point of fatigue, he says. Ireland says. negatively affect tear film stability on the For Xander, Xandrias 31-year-oldTo enjoy those golden years, however,surface of the eye and potentially con-Quarter Horse companion, laminitis hasowners must recognize signs of diseasetribute to infection. Recently, Victor also been an on-and-off issue for several years.in their horses and get a veterinariansscratched his corneathe surface of the Because Xander has always been on thediagnosis. eyeon the corner of his water bucket, plump side and has suffered recurrentresulting in a red, painful, hot eye. bouts of mild yet still painful laminitis,Normally, an ulcer like this heals in his veterinarian tested and confirmedIn a 2013 study about 24 to 72 hours with appropriate that he has insulin dysregulation, theI reported that the veterinary intervention. Luckily for Victor, central feature of equine metabolicso did his. If ulcers fail to heal swiftly, syndrome (EMS). Xanders owner alteredodds of developinghowever, they can progress to superficial his diet to encourage weight loss andPPID increased by nonhealing ulcers, which can be chal-reduce nonstructural carbohydrate (e.g.,lenging to treat. They typically require concentrates, sweet feeds, lush pasture)18% each year from 15surgical intervention, subpalpebral lavage intake. She also helped minimize boutsyears of age.systems, and extended care in a hospital. of laminitis (and, therefore, fatal progres- Other eye conditions affecting senior sion of the disease) by ensuring XanderDR. CATHERINE MCGOWAN horses include corneal disease (e.g., fluid has routine farrier visits and veterinarian- accumulation/edema, opacities, and prescribed medications for managingFailure to recognize important signsscarring); glaucoma, which becomes in-pain and EMS. of an underlying problem leaves a largecreasingly common with advancing age; Although chronic OA and laminitisnumber of horses undiagnosed and,cataracts; degeneration of the vitreous arent typically viewed as life-threateningtherefore, untreated, says McGowan.(the liquid filling the globe); and ocular disorders, they are certainly disablingEspecially signs that were once (errone- masses such as squamous cell carcinoma.and, therefore, have important welfareously) considered to be normal signs of issues in aged horses, says van Weeren.old age such as swayback (epaxial muscleTake-Home MessageThe pain present in both cases mustwastage), a potbelly, and reduced exerciseWe have a strong bond with and care be controlled, along with changes intolerance. deeply about the older horses that have management to keep the musculoskeletalShe says owners also tend to overlookbeen with us for decades. Yet despite systems as healthy as possible in thisanother hallmark sign of PPID, hyper- this, some owners can reduce care of generation of horse. trichiosis, because it occurs slowly overour seniors, especially after retirement, time. says McGowan. Aged horses require the Patrick: Prince of PPID same, if not higher, level of care as their Patrick, a 36-year-old Arabian cross,Victor: At Risk of Eye Infection younger counterparts. did not have the luck of the Irish butIn one study Fernando Malalana, DVM,Most older horses suffer from manage-instead ended up getting PPIDas manyDipl. ECEIM, FHEA, MRCVS, seniorable chronic conditions. Providing the aged Arabians and ponies do. This endo- lecturer at the University of Liverpool,necessary care will improve their quality crine disorder affects an estimated 21.2%found that ocular abnormalities occurof life for the duration of their golden of horses 15 and older, as compared toin approximately 94% of horses 15 yearsyears.hTheHorse.com|The HorseMay 202021'