Zoohirudotherapy (Leech Therapy) for Horses

ADMISSION:

Leech therapy (hirudotherapy) is a natural method of treating various health ailments using verbana leeches. Zoohirudotherapy in horses is used in many diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The research material was the diagnostic results of the use of leech therapy (2023-2024) in four cases of equine health problems. The horses were diagnosed and referred for leech therapy by the attending veterinarian and evaluated after the therapy was completed.

Case Study 1: Recurrent Equine Obstructive Disease (RAO), formerly called COPD. Cold-blooded mare, 17 years old, sled, leeches were used in monthly cycles and a prophylactic liver protocol.

Case Study 2: Bilateral Tear Duct Obstruction. Małopolska mare, 21 years old, recreational, leeches were used during dental sedation 3 times a year and prophylactic liver protocol.

Case Study 3: Neurological Form Associated with Eucharistic Poisoning. Małopolska mare, 21 years old, recreational, leeches were used daily for 2 weeks and prophylactic liver protocol.

Case Study 4: Swelling and lameness associated with sudden traumatic condition and soreness in the area of the right ankle joint. Teenage Thoroughbred Thoroughbred, recreational, leeches were used at intervals of several days for 3 weeks and prophylactic liver protocol.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the case of mares with RAO, the symptoms disappeared, but the result is not conclusive due to the use of other supportive therapeutic methods. In the case of mares with lacrimal duct obstruction, after the fourth hirudotherapy treatment, bilateral tear permeability was achieved and eye inflammation disappeared, the same mare regained neurological efficiency after poisoning with the common pigtail after a week, and the gelding returned to full top fitness after a month after a limb injury.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:

Within the scope of the activities of the Laboratory of Sensory and Animal Rehabilitation of the University of Siedlce, hirudotherapy has been successfully applied to improve the health of horses.