Leech therapy in the treatment of a penile haematoma in a stallion
Research article published in Veterinarni medicina (2021)
Abstract
Treatment of penile haematomas includes conventional therapy and/or surgical intervention which may not always result in the recovery of all penile functions. For valuable breeding stallions, a safe and effective treatment is necessary and medical leech therapy meets these criteria. Additionally, the proven efficiency and safety of the use of leeches in the resolution of haematomas makes this method applicable to other fields of veterinary medicine. A 14-year-old stallion was presented and assigned to the university hospital with a swollen and prolapsed penis. The owner reported that the stallion was likely kicked in the penis while mating. There were no deviations in the physiological indicators during the general examination. A drainage was inserted and a compression bandage was applied. After an initial slight subsidence of the oedema, the healing process slowed down. Hence, the experimental leech treatment was applied. The hirudotherapy was performed twice, five days apart. The hirudotherapy proved to be safe and effective, and with the addition of hydrotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, resulted in the full recovery of the horse within 45 days. The erectile functions of the penis were restored and the stallion successfully continued its breeding career.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Treatment of penile haematomas includes conventional therapy and/or surgical intervention which may not always result in the recovery of all penile functions.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report documents the use of medical leech therapy in a 14-year-old breeding stallion presenting with a swollen, prolapsed penis following suspected trauma during mating. After initial conventional management (drainage and compression) produced only slight subsidence before the healing process stalled, two hirudotherapy sessions five days apart were applied alongside hydrotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics, resulting in full recovery within 45 days with restored erectile function and continued breeding success. The report is directly relevant to hirudotherapy, illustrating the established principle that leech-mediated blood evacuation can aid resolution of haematomas when standard drainage proves insufficient. However, as a single veterinary case report involving concurrent multiple interventions, it cannot isolate the independent contribution of leech therapy, and findings in an equine patient have limited direct transferability to human clinical practice.
Citation
Leech therapy in the treatment of a penile haematoma in a stallion.
Nowicki A, Jaworska J, Baranski W · Veterinarni medicina, 2021
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