Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Miniature mule foal goes blind then recovers after ivermectin overdose
By Plummer, Caryn E et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2006·Department of Small and Large Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Suspected ivermectin toxicosis in a miniature mule foal causing blindness.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 9-week-old miniature mule foal was brought to the vet because it suddenly went blind and was unsteady on its feet after getting too much of an over-the-counter deworming medication containing ivermectin. The vet ruled out eye problems and found that the blindness was due to the drug affecting the foal's nervous system. After receiving supportive care, the foal made a full recovery and got its vision back.
People also search for: miniature mule foal blindness · ivermectin overdose treatment · foal ataxia symptoms
Abstract
A 9-week-old miniature mule foal presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for acute blindness, ataxia, and depression following an overdose of an over-the-counter ivermectin-based de-worming medication. Ophthalmic examination and electrodiagnostic evaluation eliminated outer retinal abnormalities as the primary cause of the bilateral blindness, implicating instead a central neurologic effect of the drug. With symptomatic and supportive care, the foal recovered fully and regained its vision.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16409242/