Page 5 - Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2020

NEWS FROM OUR BLOOD DONORS
Pictured: Nesto before (left) and after (right) receiving serum to treat an ulcer
Serum from blood donations saving the vision of pets
Blood products are not just used for transfusions. Serum from the blood can be taken to assist in ophthalmology – the treatment of eye disorders and diseases
W hen a dog or cat donates blood, serum is taken from the blood product and can be used to treat a variety of diseases, infections and disorders in the eye, such
as corneal ulcers.
Corneal ulcers are very common in cats and dogs, and serum eye drops are an essential part of the treatment given to them. The serum from our generous blood donors is vital to enable the Ophthalmology department to continue to help to save the vision of patients.
Nesto was referred to the RVC Small Animal Referrals Hospital as an emergency when his right eye suddenly became very cloudy and painful.
On examination, he was nearly blind in this eye. He was diagnosed with an ulcer (missing tissue) in the centre of his cornea, which was found to be infected with bacteria. The infection had caused severe inflammation inside the eye. The cornea is like the ‘windscreen’ of the eye and is supposed to be transparent to allow light into the eye (as seen in Nesto’s cloudy right eye in the photos above).
Short-nose animals, such as pugs, Bulldogs, or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are unfortunately at high risk of developing corneal diseases, as their large, prominent eyes can easily be traumatised, and they often have a poor tear production contributing to an unhealthy surface of the eye. Once the surface of the cornea is broken, the bacteria can enter into the cornea. The bacteria can then produce chemicals called collagenases that eat away the cornea – this process is described as corneal melting.
For Nesto, the RVC team used serum from a blood donor to help treat the ulcer. Serum contains anti-collagenases that help halt the melting process and stabilise the cornea. Left untreated, this ulcer would have quickly become deeper until the eye would have needed to be saved with surgery.
Alongside antibiotic treatment, the infection was controlled and Nesto’s cornea healed within one week. A month later Nesto’s vision was back to normal, and his eye was completely healed, with only a small scar left.
If you would like to support our cat and dog blood donors, or if you would like more information on how your pet can become a donor, please visit www.rvc.ac.uk/blooddonors or call 01707 666237
Paws & Hooves Autumn 2020
5