Eye Diseases in Dogs and Cats – New Treatment Options

Eye diseases can be very uncomfortable and, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. Timely and effective treatment is therefore usually crucial.

Currently, medications such as antibiotics, as well as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agents, are frequently used to treat eye conditions. These medications often have side effects with prolonged use. In severe cases, operations may be necessary, which are associated with risks. Moreover, treatment for some eye conditions is very lengthy, which increases the owner’s time and costs, and strains or pushes the animals’ cooperation to its limits.

A relatively new procedure – Cold PlasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. TherapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. – can achieve a significant improvement in some eye conditions. In some cases, otherwise common operations are no longer necessary.

In human medicine, cold plasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. has been used for years, for example, for wound healingWound healing is the natural process of repairing tissue damage, occurring in phases including inflammation, tissue regeneration, and wound contraction, to restore tissue integrity.. Now it is also increasingly used in veterinary medicine.

What is Cold Plasma?

Cold PlasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. (CAPP, Cold Atmospheric Pressure PlasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products.) is an ionized gas that is generated using special devices. It has unique physical and chemical properties that make it extremely useful for medicine.

Cold plasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. destroys germs. It is able to kill bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease., viruses, and fungi without damaging the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, cold plasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. improves regional blood circulation and thus oxygen supply. Cell growth is stimulated, inflammatory conditions are reduced, and healing is promoted.

Examples of the Successful Application of Cold Plasma in Dogs and Cats

• Keratitis (corneal inflammation),
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva),
• Uveitis (inflammation of the choroidThe choroid is a layer of the eye located between the retina and the white outer layer of the eye (sclera). It is rich in blood vessels and responsible for supplying the retina with nutrients and oxygen., uveaThe uvea is the middle layer of the eyeball, consisting of the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. It is rich in blood vessels and plays a role in regulating the amount of light that enters the eye and in nourishing the eye.) in the anterior and middle part of the eye, consisting of the irisThe iris is the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. It consists of muscle tissue and adjusts the size of the pupil through its contraction or relaxation to regulate the amount of light that enters the eye., the ciliary bodyThe ciliary body is part of the eye located behind the iris. It is responsible for producing the aqueous humor, which regulates intraocular pressure and aids the lens in accommodation. (corpus ciliare) and the choroidThe choroid is a layer of the eye located between the retina and the white outer layer of the eye (sclera). It is rich in blood vessels and responsible for supplying the retina with nutrients and oxygen.
• Corneal ulcers
• Corneal infiltrates

Advantages over traditional methods

• No antibiotic resistances
• No antibiotic side effects
• Broad spectrum of activity
• Faster healing
• Minimally invasiveInvasive describes medical procedures or pathogens that enter the body or penetrate tissue. In medicine, invasive procedures can range from minimally invasive techniques to open surgery. application
• Gentler on the tissue
• Treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis
• High success rates in bacterial infections and chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. inflammatory conditions
• The treatment is well tolerated and painless
• Treatment on the eye under local anesthesiaAnesthesia refers to the state of insensitivity to pain and can be partial (local anesthesia) or for the entire body (general anesthesia). It is used to keep patients pain-free during surgical procedures.
• No serious side effects

Attention

CAPP treatment on eyes in dogs or cats should always be performed by an experienced veterinary specialist for eye diseases. The pins used in cosmetics in human medicine are not qualitatively suitable for medical treatments. They do not achieve the necessary performance and, above all, also generate heat. They could be dangerous for the treatment of eyes.

Conclusion

The use of cold plasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. in the treatment of eye diseases in dogs is a promising and effective method. It offers numerous advantages over traditional treatment methods and could have a lasting impact on the future of veterinary medicine. So, if you are looking for a gentle and efficient treatment option for your dog, cold plasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. might be the right choice.

FAQs

Can Cold PlasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. be used on all dog breeds and also on cats?

Yes, Cold PlasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. is suitable for all dogs and cats.

Can any veterinarian perform this treatment?

Not every practice has a corresponding, high-quality device and the veterinarian must have the necessary qualifications.

Is the treatment painless?

Yes, the application of Cold PlasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. takes place after careful local anesthesiaAnesthesia refers to the state of insensitivity to pain and can be partial (local anesthesia) or for the entire body (general anesthesia). It is used to keep patients pain-free during surgical procedures. of the eye and is then painless for dogs and cats.

How many sessions are required?

That depends on the severity of the disease, but usually a few sessions are sufficient.

Are there long-term studies on safety?

Current studies show positive results; long-term data are still being collected.

Is the treatment also available for other animal species?

Research is underway to extend the application to other animals.

How quickly does the treatment work?

First improvements are often visible after the first session.

Does pet health insurance cover the costs?

That depends on the insurance. It is advisable to ask beforehand.

Sources:

1. Reitberger, H., Martines, E., Mohr, A., Chow, C., Fuchsluger, Th.: Cold plasmaPlasma is the liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It contains water, salts, proteins, and other substances and serves as a transport medium for nutrients, hormones, and waste products. for the treatment of therapy-refractory corneal ulcers. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2018; 235(12): 1366-1370, DOI: 10.1055/a-0792-1301
2. Allgoewer IN: Ocular disorders of 809 French Bulldogs (2019), Abstracts: Annual Scientific Meeting of the ECCO, Antwerp, Belgium May 23–26, 2019. Vet Ophthalmol.