TREATMENT OF MELANOMA ON THE EYELİD OF AN ARABİAN MARE WİTH LEECHE
Hirudotherapy, that is, the use of blood-sucking leeches for medical purposes, is a method used for treatment since ancient times. In recent years, studies on the use of hirudotherapy as a potential treatment method in tumor treatment have increased. In particular, it is suggested that leech secretions may prevent the blood supply of tumors and thus slow down tumor growth, thanks to their anti-angiogenic effects. In the study, H. verbana was used for hirudotherapy on an 8-year-old female Arabian horse with malignant melanoma on the right lower eyelid. A total of 3 applications lasting 30 minutes were performed. On the 18th day after the application, it was observed that the diameter of the melanoma decreased, conjunctivitis disappeared, and his appetite regained more. As a result, hirudotherapy appeared to slow the growth of tumor cells.
