medical leeches

[sarahc]

My dog has had a haematoma in her ear which is a bleed a bit like a giant blood blister really.The first time it happened I had the ear operated on at the vets.It cost £250 and the vet said it would most likely occur again.It did within a month and as it causes no long term health problems and is infact more a cosmetic issue I never had it repaired again.Her large ear(she's a french bulldog)has shrivelled and folded giving her a bit of a pug look.Then I read an article in dogs world paper by someone with bull terriers who successfully used leeches to drain the blood.Subsequently I have spoken to someone who has also used them on their frenchbulldog with good results.My girl has now got another one in her remaining good ear and I would like to have a go with the medical leeches.Apparently they are £8 for three from the internet.I have failed to find a seller.Has anyone purchased any and have any info on a seller.

[sarahc]

I have found the supplier and apparently they are very successful for treating this problem which can happen to any breed but is common in those with large ears.3 will be arriving within 24hrs and the lady informs me they can be kept as pets after use not so sure on that one.

[SilverSteno]

Cool!

At least if you keep them you always have them there when you need them, though what do you feed them I wonder...

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by SilverSteno

Cool!

At least if you keep them you always have them there when you need them, though what do you feed them I wonder...

They can go 10-15 months without food, so you don't really need to feed them, although the life expectancy is 7-10 years so if you do want to keep them alive longer then you can let them suck blood from the arm of a healthy human every 60 odd days. Keep them in a big-ish jar or bowl in cool, dechlorinated water, fabric over the top and bobs your uncle.

On the flip side, you should only ever use them once/let them suck blood once if they are used for clinical purposes!

[ditta]

megan....you never fail to amaze me

[sarahc]

Well thankyou for that amazing info.Can I share my blood?I really don't know.Might have to have a stiff drink which is probably no good for leeches.On the other hand I don't really want to starve them to death.Perhaps I could attach to the oh whilst he's sleeping.

[Amalthea]

A stiff drink prolly wouldn't be good for you, either, since leeches have an anticoagulant in their "saliva" and alcohol thins the blood

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by ditta

megan....you never fail to amaze me

Originally Posted by sarahc

Well thankyou for that amazing info.Can I share my blood?I really don't know.Might have to have a stiff drink which is probably no good for leeches.On the other hand I don't really want to starve them to death.Perhaps I could attach to the oh whilst he's sleeping.

As long as your dog is otherwise healthy and not on medication, there is no reason you wouldn't be able to let the leeches "suckle" your arm providing they are only used for the Haematoma. As it is only really a collection of normal blood/vessels under the skin, then you may be using the leeches a few times anyway which would then mean that you wouldn't need to feed them as they would suckle from the dogs ear, but if you clean the dogs ear and your arm with Betadine or an alcoholic Iodine solution then you should be OK. The leeches aren't that bad to feed, it takes a bit of getting used to because they try to suckle and stick to everything and it feels a little strange when they first start to suckle (not bad mind, it's kinda like somebody running the rough side of Velcro across your arm then when they start to suck it's like a tickling feeling) but it's fine afterwards, the anticoagulant they carry means it doesn't hurt when they suck the blood, though it does leave a puncture wound that will need cleaning with Betadine/Iodine again afterwards. And remember, never try to pull them off of your skin from the larger end, get a piece of thin plastic or cardboard and slide it under the smaller end that is attached to your skin and put them straight back into the jar/bowl of water you keep them in and don't try to bother them, if you do bother them it may (MAY, it's not very common but it can and does happen) cause them to regurgitate the blood and thus, you will be stuck for even longer feeding them and the possibility for contamination but if you leave them to it they will pretty much clean up the old blood for you.

Originally Posted by Amalthea

A stiff drink prolly wouldn't be good for you, either, since leeches have an anticoagulant in their "saliva" and alcohol thins the blood

Yeah that ^ lol.

[ditta]

maybe im gonna regret asking this megan......but how do you know?????

[sarahc]

thanks for that ,loveforlizards.My feeling is still one of but I suppose you get used to things.I do remember getting them on my legs when paddling as a child and doing the dance that I do now if a wasp lands on me.It left an impression forever.