• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Equine ophthalmology for kids

April 3, 2017

Derrick the Jumping Horse Has Eye Surgery is a childrens book with its hooves planted in reality and a desire to encourage readers to discover their true purpose.

All proceeds from the book will be donated to the UC Davis Equine Ophthalmology Department and to the National Eye Institute. Photo courtesy of Terri Herrera.In 2014, Terri Herrera imported a Dutch warmblood gelding named Derrick from the Netherlands with hopes of training him to compete as a hunter. According to an article in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Winter 2017 newsletter, these hopes were interrupted when, at age 7, Derrick developed a cataract in his right eye.

Herrera's veterinarian in Southern California encouraged her to make the eight-hour drive to the UC Davis veterinary hospital where she met Mary Lassaline, DVM, PhD, MA, DACVO-a connection that would later save Derrick's life.  

Lassaline inserted cyclosporine implants in both of Derrick's eyes to ease his uveitis flare-ups. Despite the impairment in his right eye, Derrick was able to participate in several competitions and even placed second in the United States Hunter Jumper Association National Hunter Derby at the Verdugo Hills Spring Fling, says his owner.

It would be his last show. Derrick's vision continued to worsen, and with a cataract in his left eye and blindness looming, Herrera decided to euthanize the impaired horse to spare him from hurting himself or others.

Advertisement

Lassaline changed Herrera's mind, however, and she and her team performed cataract surgery on Derrick and cared for him for 40 days. Though Derrick ultimately lost his sight, Herrera credits the UC Davis team with saving her horse-a horse that now walks and trots under saddle.

Herrera's experience moved her to write a children's book about Derrick's experience titled Derrick the Jumping Horse Has Eye Surgery.

“I hope Derrick's story and his new life's purpose will encourage others,” Herrera writes on the book's website. I thought Derrick's purpose was to be a champion hunter. Now I know the truth: Derrick's purpose was-and still is-to inspire others to discover their true purpose, which oftentimes is not what it initially seems.”

The books are $9.95 and can be purchased at www.derrickthehorse.com. All proceeds will be given to the UC Davis Equine Ophthalmology Department and to the National Eye Institute for pediatric research.

Related Content:

Breaking NewsEquine
Updated EquiTrace app integrates wth HISA Portal
Updated EquiTrace app integrates wth HISA Portal
Texas Tech professor inspires students with large animal surgery
Texas Tech professor inspires students with large animal surgery
SoCal Equine Hospital installs innovative CT scanner
SoCal Equine Hospital installs innovative CT scanner

Advertisement

Latest News

Thriving when life is hard

Hospital design expert shares his favorite design element

Updated EquiTrace app integrates wth HISA Portal

San Francisco SPCA receives $100k grant from San Francisco Foundation

View More Latest News
Advertisement