Hirudotherapy (medicinal leeches) for treatment of upper airway obstruction in a dog
Research article published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001) (2021)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe upper airway obstruction (UAO) in a dog treated with medicinal leeches (hirudotherapy) as an ancillary therapy to hasten recovery. CASE SUMMARY: A 10-month-old neutered female Mastiff presented for acute respiratory distress. On admission, the dog was tachycardic, cyanotic, and orthopneic; stridor was audible. A 10-cm soft tissue swelling in the right ventral cervical region and bruising around the rostral mandible were noted. At the time of endotracheal intubation, the trachea was deviated to the right as a consequence of severe soft tissue swelling that was contiguous with the sublingual hematoma and cervical region, causing loss of visualization of the arytenoids. A computed tomography with contrast scan of the head, neck, and thorax was performed, showing severe soft tissue swelling of the tongue, obliteration of the common pharyngeal/laryngeal regions from suspected hemorrhage, and rightward displacement of pharynx, larynx, and proximal trachea. Marked diffuse bronchial/bronchiolar thickening associated with bronchiolectasis and diffuse opacification of the pulmonary parenchyma with regions of consolidation were noted. The dog was minimally hypercoagulable on thromboelastography. The imaging results together with results of bronchoalveolar lavage cytology supported a comorbidity of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. Intubation was maintained with infusions of propofol and fentanyl, with minimal changes in oropharyngeal swelling within the first 18 hours of treatment. Medicinal leeches were then applied to the sublingual and cervical regions. There was continued slow bleeding from the sites of leech detachment, and the dog was able to be extubated at 44 hours, followed by hospital discharge. NEW/UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Leeches are utilized in human medicine for treatment of UAO. Although UAO from hemorrhage has been described in dogs, this is the first report of medicinal leeches (Hirudo verbana) as complementary treatment for sublingual hematoma that contributed to UAO.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
To describe upper airway obstruction (UAO) in a dog treated with medicinal leeches (hirudotherapy) as an ancillary therapy to hasten recovery. A 10-month-old neutered female Mastiff presented for acute respiratory distress.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este reporte de caso describe el uso de sanguijuelas medicinales (Hirudo verbana) como terapia adyuvante para la obstrucción de la vía aérea superior en un perro causada por un hematoma sublingual y tumefacción de tejidos blandos cervicales que no habían respondido adecuadamente a 18 horas de manejo intensivo convencional. Tras la aplicación de sanguijuelas en las regiones sublingual y cervical, el sangrado lento continuo de los sitios de desprendimiento precedió a la extubación exitosa a las 44 horas y al subsiguiente alta hospitalaria. Para el ámbito de la ASH, este reporte ofrece una ilustración clínica directa de la hirudoterapia aplicada al compromiso agudo de la vía aérea por hematoma, en paralelo con la práctica establecida en medicina humana y documentando la primera aplicación veterinaria de este tipo. Como reporte de un solo caso, sin embargo, no puede establecer eficacia ni seguridad, y el resultado favorable puede reflejar tratamientos concurrentes, el manejo de comorbilidades o la progresión natural de la enfermedad más que la aplicación de sanguijuelas por sí sola.
Citación
Hirudotherapy (medicinal leeches) for treatment of upper airway obstruction in a dog.
Trenholme H, Masseau I, Reinero C · Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001), 2021
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026