Use of autologous serum as adjuvant in the treatment of corneal ulcer in horses: Case report

Abstract

The present study reports the use of autologous serum as adjuvant in the treatment of corneal ulcer in horses. On 09/08/2018 was attended at the Veterinary Hospital Dr. Vicente Borelli, a male equine, Quarter Horse, four years old, weighting 460 kg, submitted to a daily diet composed of 5 kg of concentrate and bulky and water ad libitum. The animal participated in equestrian test, it was transported in closed vehicle (truck), as soon as returned to the property presented ocular discomfort. Therefore, a veterinary service was requested which confirmed the diagnosis for corneal ulcer and instituted treatment that was not successful and was referred to the Veterinary Hospital. In the general clinical examination all the parameters were within normality. An ophthalmic clinical examination was performed, identifying blepharospasms, irregularity and opacity of the cornea and anterior chamber, presence of ciliary ejection, with a positive test for fluorescein. A systemic treatment with Flunixin meglumine administration was started during five days. Thus, the topical treatment with autologous serum was made, collected in red tubes with clot activator of 5 mL centrifuged at 3,000 rpm. Two drops of 1% atropine sulfate/BID were instilled. Between days 09/08 and 09/14 two drops of tobramycin sulfate and autologous serum were instituted every one hour. On 09/15 and 09/16, the frequency of tobramycin sulfate and autologous serum was 2 hours, totaling 12 applications per day. A further fluorescein test was carried out with a reduction of approximately 70%. From 09/17 to 09/20 the frequency was changed to six hours among applications. The fluorescein test was redone at which was negative. On 09/21 the use of autologous serum was ceased, maintaining the applications of tobramycin sulfate until 09/24. Also on 09/21 two drops of diclofenac sodium 0.1% were instilled four times a day until 09/28/2018. That same day the patient was discharged. It is concluded that autologous serum acts as an adjuvant in corneal ulcers in horses, conferring satisfactory results, presenting low cost, practicality of preparation and minimizing the use of conventional treatments without clinical response.