Case Studies

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‘Luci Lectric’ (‘Locki’) is a 16yo warmblood mare. She is a competition horse and was recently diagnosed with severe bilateral acute coffin joint arthritis. 

Treatment:

• Conventional: intraarticular injection of dexamethasone and hyaluronic acid 3 weeks prior to first hirudotherapy session.
• Hirudopuncture: application of one leech on the acupuncture points Pericardium 9 and Triple Heater 1 bilaterally.
• Acupuncture (same session): Four Gates (Liver 3 + Large Intestine 4 bilaterally), Bladder 11 (Influential point for the bones) bilaterally, Spleen 21 bilaterally, Spleen 6, Stomach 36, Bladder 23.
• TCVM herbs: Juan Bi Tang (Selected Formulas) containing: notopterygium, turmeric, tangkuei, red peony, siler, astragalus, prepared licorice, fresh ginger.
• Western herbs: sweet clover (melilotus).
• Orthopedic shoeing.

After 4 weeks on a training regimen starting with 10 minutes walking BID and adding 2 minutes every week, Locki was re-examined and received another leech treatment using the same points. As she was sound in walk and trot she was allowed to be walked for 30 minutes BID for another two weeks. After that the walking time was increased up to 45 minutes BID for another two weeks and then to 60 minutes BID. Also a few minutes of trotting on soft ground was added. Eight weeks after the initial hirudotherapy session Locky had her final lameness exam which was all clear, so she was allowed to gradually return to normal training and going out on the pasture.

From that point on Locki received regular leech treatments twice a year in spring and autumn as a preventative measure using one leech on Pericardium 9 bilaterally. The TCVM herbs were discontinued. She stayed on melilotus and a hyaluronic supplement. She continued her career as a sport horse without any further episodes of lameness until she was retired at the age of 21.