Douley training after his eye surgery

5 weeks ago, I noticed a white spot in the corner of Douleys right eye, it looked like cauliflower. I had the vet check it out and it came back as squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. It's not unusual in white horses that do not have any pigment by their eyes. douley has pigment around his eyes, so it was unexpected especially since he's only 5 years old. It turned out to be in his 3rd eyelid. Horses do not need their 3rd eye lid, it's like our appendix. We've got it but don't need it. It was removed. It took two surgeries to get clean margins. Douley is now cancer free and after some needed rest, he was good to go. So he's back in training. His eye looks great, and he's acting as if nothing happened. I'm very pleased with how well Douley is doing in his training. The music is by Bruce Springsteen. I'm still a little challenged in picking the music. I apologize for how dark the video is but I borrowed someone elses camera.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horse
• irish
• sport

[driscollemily]

My horse also has this probelm now... im really worried about him.. i keep hearing different things about it all. im glad Douleys surgery went well i can only hope my horses surgery also does. xx

[littledragon300]

I hope all goes well, the only thing you need to watch out for is that without the 3rd eyelid, things can get into his eye easier than when he has the 3rd eyelid. So my horse wears a flymask everyday that he is out, especially during the day. I also spray him with sunblock. His windows get direct sunlight and I've put filters the kind that you put on car windows on those windows also. Good luck and let me know how it goes, I'm sure it will be fine.

[driscollemily]

hi just wanted to let you know... my horse Flash came home from his radiation treatment yesterday... its all gone well and im eally glad to have him back! his was on his lower eyelid so they used radiation to kill the cells. The area is going to take a while to heal but im allowed to start riding him straight away and he is happy as always!! my latest upload is of his first day home... and more about his story is in that description! xx

[littledragon300]

Saw the video of Flash coming back and having fun in the field. He's very cute. He looks good, his eye doesn't even look swollen. Glad to see he's wearing a fly mask, did they say he should wear it when he's outside in the sun? What kind of follow up do you have to do? Looking forward to seeing you jump again.

[driscollemily]

Thanks. That was only a few hours after the wires had been removed since then its a bit hit and miss wheather its really swollen or not... its got worse as it heals but that said that was normal. he wore the flymask before anyway TBH but they recomended he wears one when he is outside... so ive got one that is big enough to go over his briddle to so he will wear it when i ride for the time being anyway. im also avoiding the indoor school coz it can be a little dusty and his eye is wet at the mo

[littledragon300]

Flashs eye will heal eventually and if you're like me, you'll be watching for any signs that the cancer has come back someplace else. Don't forget the sunscreen, and protect yourself also. They are very special!

[driscollemily]

Aftercare wise they have just told us to get him back to normal ASAP... start riding when his eye isnt so swollen and start jumping as soon as he is ready... which im not 100% when that will be im going to take it easy... no rush on my part! just trying to keep his eye nice and clean at the mo coz some of the discharge from it makes wan to throw up... but needs must anything for my boy! we need to send a phtoo to the vets in another 5 weeks and we shoudl know in 6-8months how well its worked. x

[littledragon300]

Thank you, he's such a good boy, I'm trying to remain calm and not over react to every scratch and bump he gets. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday and new year!