Leech therapy on dogs
HOW IT WORKS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
In human medicine, leech therapy is a traditional and recognized therapy for various clinical pictures, even beyond the musculoskeletal system. Our animals should also benefit from what is good for us and what helps us.
The leech is considered a finished drug, like most drugs that are manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry and not by the pharmacist himself. It is also known as a kind of "biological pharmacy". Various medically effective substances have been detected in its saliva. These substances contain active ingredients that are also used in conventional medicine such as the active ingredients hirudin and hyaluronidase.
However, its natural combination of active ingredients is unique, which is released into the bite wound with its saliva during the suction process.
The active substances in the saliva of the leech promote anticoagulation and the blood circulation in the area of the attachment point is stimulated. They have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Even with chronic diseases, the discomfort and pain can be alleviated by the improved metabolism. Leech therapy also has a decongestant, antispasmodic and relaxing effect. In addition to positively influencing the blood circulation in the attachment area, the lymph flow is also accelerated.
I APPLY LEECH THERAPY FOR THE FOLLOWING DOG PROBLEMS:
- Arthritis / arthrosis
- joint malformations (dysplasias such as HD or ED)
- Diseases of the ligament and tendon apparatus
- Spinal disorders (spondyloses, discopathies, cauda equina compression syndrome)
- neuritis (nerve irritation, inflammation)
- Lumbago (lumbago)
- Myogeloses, muscle hardness, muscle adhesions and hardening
- Scar problems (also after surgery)
WIE LÄUFT EINE BLUTEGELTHERAPIE BEIM HUND AB?
Each leech is only used once. These are bred in a biotope and are therefore free of pathogens that a leech could possibly bring with them from the wild. The breeding gel is used for the first time in practice. Likewise, each leech is "used" only once and must then be frozen at -18 ° C to prevent infection by a second preparation.
The duration of treatment is between 60-90 minutes. Depending on the size of the dog and the type of clinical picture, one or more leeches are created. Before the treatment, the dogs have enough time to explore the practice room, so that they can take part in leech therapy in a relaxed manner. It also helps some dogs if their usual blanket from home is there.
If possible, I try to put on the leeches without shaving the dog at this point. The leech is placed on the affected area and soaks itself in, while carefully sawing into the skin with its lime teeth. This process is largely painless for the dog, since the leech releases pain-relieving substances.
Most dogs react to the leech bite without a defense reaction and doze off relaxed during the treatment.
The leech, with its saliva, guides the active substances into the bite wound and then falls off again by itself after approx. 20 - 60 minutes. The active ingredient "Calin" ensures that the wound is kept open for about 4 - 12 hours and bleeds out. In some cases, successes can even be observed, e.g. the dog lies down again on the painful joint and this effect lasts for weeks to months.
The bite wound is then treated with an absorbent bandage to prevent contamination. If the dogs are "under observation", the bleeding wound can also be left open.
Adverse reactions to leech therapy, such as wound infections and allergic reactions, are very rare. Depending on the clinical picture and the individual reaction of the dog, success can already be achieved after one session, otherwise a second session can be repeated every 3 - 5 days. In the case of chronic clinical pictures, e.g. Osteoarthritis is also possible for several sessions every few weeks.
LEECH THERAPY SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- • anemia (anemia)
- • anticoagulant drugs (Macumar, heparin)
- • diabetes
- • Wound healing disorders
- • fever, cachexia
- • Poor general condition
- • leukemia
- • gastric ulcer
- • Malignant tumors
- • Pain relievers, as these have a blood-thinning effect.
Quelle: easy-dogs.net
