The Use of Leeches in Veterinary Medicine

The use of leeches as a highly efficient natural medicine treatment has experienced a resurgence in human therapy, particularly in German speaking countries and the US. The number of leech treatments in Germany has amounted to about 100.000 per year. In addition to the return of diverse applications of medicinal leeches for human treatment, the leech (Hirudo medicinalis/verbana/orientalis) has captured also the veterinary application field with substantial growth rates. The growing importance of alternative veterinary medicine as a professional branch plays a major role in this context. According to the estimates of Biebertaler Blutegelzucht GmbH, about 20.000 to 25.000 annual leech treatments are performed on animals.