Nursing care of the hospitalised eye case

Abstract

Many horses hospitalized for eye problems become long-term patients, often spending weeks and, on occasions, months in hospital. Nursing care of these patients is critical not only for the successful outcome of their eye condition, but also for ensuring that when they do return to their owner's care, they are happy, healthy horses. Key factors contributing to these outcomes include recognition of ocular pain, helping horses cope with limited vision and management of subpalpebral lavage systems, including recognition of complications and ‘trouble-shooting’. Other important factors include behavioural modification to help maintain a ‘happy’ patient (including environmental enrichment), general husbandry, monitoring for colic and attention to nutrition to avoid weight changes.