Use of a gold compound for the treatment of pemphigus foliaceus in a foal.

The research discusses the diagnosis and successful treatment of a severe skin disease known as pemphigus foliaceus in a young horse, using a gold-based compound called aurothioglucose alongside high-dose glucocorticoids.

Introduction

A 4-month-old foal was presented with a serious skin condition resulting in extensive crusting, scaling and oozing of serum. This was considered a case of exfoliative dermatitis.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis of the foal’s condition involved both histologic and immunopathologic examinations carried out on skin biopsy samples taken from the horse.
• These investigative procedures helped to identify the disease being suffered by the foal as pemphigus foliaceus.

Treatment

• For the treatment of the skin disorder, a gold compound known as aurothioglucose was employed.
• The foal was administered this compound once a week for a period of 14 weeks, at a dosage rate of 1mg/kg of the foal’s weight.

Additional Interventions

• Glucocorticoids, a type of steroid often used in treating a range of inflammatory conditions in animals and humans, were also a part of the treatment plan.
• These were given in high doses for the first 5 weeks of the treatment regimen.

Outcome of Treatment

• After 12 weeks of the combined treatment approach, the skin disorder pemphigus foliaceus was fully resolved in the foal.
• This successful outcome suggests that the utilization of the gold compound, aurothioglucose, alongside glucocorticoids is a potentially effective treatment strategy for this specific skin disorder in horses.