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.
Resumen
Treatment of penile haematomas includes conventional therapy and/or surgical intervention which may not always result in the recovery of all penile functions.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este reporte de caso documenta el uso de terapia con sanguijuelas medicinales en un semental reproductor de 14 años que presentaba un pene inflamado y prolapsado tras un presunto traumatismo durante el apareamiento. Tras el manejo convencional inicial (drenaje y compresión), que produjo solo una leve disminución antes de que el proceso de cicatrización se estancara, se aplicaron dos sesiones de hirudoterapia con cinco días de diferencia junto con hidroterapia, antiinflamatorios y antibióticos, logrando una recuperación completa en 45 días con restauración de la función eréctil y éxito reproductivo continuado. El reporte es directamente relevante para la hirudoterapia, ya que ilustra el principio establecido de que la evacuación sanguínea mediada por sanguijuelas puede favorecer la resolución de hematomas cuando el drenaje convencional resulta insuficiente. Sin embargo, al tratarse de un único reporte de caso veterinario que involucra múltiples intervenciones concurrentes, no permite aislar la contribución independiente de la terapia con sanguijuelas, y los hallazgos en un paciente equino tienen una transferibilidad directa limitada a la práctica clínica humana.
Citación
Leech therapy in the treatment of a penile haematoma in a stallion.
Nowicki A, Jaworska J, Baranski W · Veterinarni medicina, 2021
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026