Moxabustão no tratamento de ceratoconjuntivite seca em cão: relato decaso

Abstract

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also known as "dry eye," is a common ocular condition diagnosed in the veterinary clinics of dogs. KCS occurs due to the loss of one or more components of the pre-corneal tear film, which is composed of three layers. This leads to ocular changes such as pain, keratitis, conjunctivitis, secondary bacterial infections, pigmentation, corneal ulcers, and vision loss. The primary diagnostic method for KCS is the Schirmer Tear Test (STT), which assesses tear production (TP) in mm/minute. In Western medicine, treatment may involve medication through eye drops and ointments or, in rare refractory cases, surgical intervention through parotid duct transposition. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ocular conditions are linked to the Wood element, the Liver, and Wind attack; to treat these disharmonies, acupuncture and moxibustion techniques are used. Moxibustion therapy seeks to restore energetic balance by applying heat variations with moxa sticks made from Artemisia vulgaris or sinensis. Burning this herb can act as an antioxidant, analgesic, anti inflammatory, healing, antibacterial, antifungal, and immunoregulatory agent. Thus, this study aimed to report the effect of moxibustion therapy on the TP of a dog affected by KCS. An 11 year-old golden retriever weighing approximately 40 kg was selected, attended at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of UFPB and diagnosed with KCS. She received moxibustion therapy once a week for 12 weeks. Additionally, daily use of a lubricating eye drop based on 0.15% sodium hyaluronate was prescribed, with one drop instilled in each eye every 8 hours. Each session lasted 30 minutes. The STT was performed on each eye immediately before and after the sessions to assess TP. Later, STT assessments were carried out at 7, 15, and 30 days after the last session to evaluate the long-term effect of the proposed therapy. The results showed a gradual increase in TP, reduction in dry eye appearance, decreased inflammation, reduced mucous secretion, and a lasting effect on TP. From this perspective, it is suggested that moxibustion therapy is a treatment modality that brought benefits to a dog affected by KCS.