Cyclosporin-A implant for the treatment of equine recurrent uveitis in a 3-year-old Tennessee walking horse

Abstract

A 3-year-old Tennessee Walking horse gelding presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals in August of 2007. He was referred to Cornell for multiple incidences of uveitis and suspected ERU. On presentation, abnormalities were restricted to the horse's ocular exam. No significant findings were noted on initial bloodwork. He was positive for Leptospira bratislava. He was initially treated with topical and systemic anti-nflammatories. In October 2007, a recheck examination showed that the patient's ERU had progressed mildly. Leptospira spp. titers at this point revealed a lower, but still positive, titer for L. bratislava. He was maintained topical medications with instructions to return in 1 month. When the patient presented in November, 2007, the decision was made to take him to surgery for a cyclosporine implant. The implant was placed suprachoroidally in the dorso-lateral aspect of his left eye. Post-operatively, he was maintained on anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. The patient presented again in December 2007 for a recheck examination. At this time, he had signs of active uveitis including conjunctival hyperemia, aqueous flare, and hypopyon in the left eye. It is difficult to know if this was an episode of ERU, or an infection in relationship to the surgery.