Plasma therapy in foals and adult horses.

This research article explores the use of plasma therapy in horses, noting the limitations and potential risks of its use in equine veterinary medicine, given that the effectiveness of such treatments may not be always certain and adverse reactions, while rare, can occur.

Use of Plasma Products in Equine Medicine

• The research article discusses the various plasma products used by veterinarians in treating both young horses (foals) and adult horses. These products mainly include whole blood, frozen plasma, and fresh frozen plasma.
• Uses of plasma products in equine medicine are outlined, such as treating failure of passive transfer (FPT), sepsis, and coagulopathies, serving as ‘antiendotoxin’ agents, and providing colloidal support.
• Failure of passive transfer refers to a condition in foals where they do not receive sufficient antibodies from the mare’s colostrum (first milk after giving birth), leaving them vulnerable to infections and diseases. Plasma therapy can help provide these necessary antibodies.
• Sepsis is a serious, often fatal condition resulting from the body’s response to an infection. Coagulopathies refer to diseases that affect the blood’s ability to clot. Plasma therapy can play a role in treating these conditions by replacing missing blood elements.
• The use of plasma as an “antiendotoxin” agent involves its use to counteract harmful endotoxins that can cause serious health issues, while colloidal support refers to maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure in the equine patient.

Considerations and Risks of Plasma Therapy

• The researchers highlight that the application of plasma therapy must be carefully evaluated due to potential adverse reactions. These reactions, although rare, can include disease transmission and allergic reactions.
• Another significant concern is the cost associated with these therapies. Plasma therapy can be an expensive option, and the benefits may not always justify the costs, especially given that in some cases, the efficacy of plasma treatment is uncertain.
• Contrasting equine to human medicine, the researchers note that in human medicine, plasma transfusion is rather limited and the supporting evidence for the efficacy of such treatment is scarce. These considerations add further weight to the necessity of careful decision-making when it comes to selecting plasma therapy for equine patients.