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Additional Services
Additional Services
Leech Therapy – Tiny Allies, Powerful Results
What is Leech Therapy?
Leech therapy is a well-established Treatment that has been used in huma- and veterinary Medicine. It is particularly effective for treating localized inflammation, swelling, and circulatory disturbances. Its therapeutic effect is based on stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms directly within the affected tissue.
Medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) release saliva containing over 100 bioactive compounds, including hirudin, bdellin, calin, and hyaluronidase. These substances reduce inflammation and swelling, improve circulation, and help prevent clotting. The bite itself also acts as a mild local stimulus and may help relieve pain by influencing nerve signals — a mechanism often explained by the gate control theory.
Indications
The benefits of leech therapy are documented in specific areas — particularly in treating wound-healing disorders related to venous congestion. It has also shown promising results in managing joint conditions like osteoarthritis, especially in terms of pain relief and improved mobility.
Common indications include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendonitis
- Hematomas
- Slow-healing wounds
- Skin conditions (e.g. eczema, mud fever)
- Laminitis
- Joint effusions
Treatment Process
Only specially bred leeches approved for medical use are employed. A session typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. The subsequent post-bleeding, which can last several hours, is therapeutically desired and part of the effect.
Most animals tolerate the treatment very well. Due to the anesthetic components in the leech’s saliva, the bite itself is usually painless, and defensive reactions are rare.
I’d be happy to advise you personally on whether leech therapy is a suitable option for your animal.
Electrotherapy – Targeted Activation for Muscles, Nerves, and Healing
What is Electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy is an established treatment method that has been used successfully in human medicine for many years – for example, in the management of pain, muscle atrophy, or circulatory disorders. In veterinary practice as well, it has proven to be a valuable supportive therapy.
During electrotherapy, controlled electrical impulses are delivered into the tissue via electrodes placed on the skin. These impulses specifically influence nerve and muscle activity. Most animals tolerate the therapy well – many remain calm and relaxed during treatment.
Indications
Depending on the clinical picture and treatment objective, electrotherapy can be used as supportive care for:
Osteoarthritis, joint pain, and reduced mobility
- Muscle tension or atrophy (e.g. after prolonged inactivity)
- Back problems and spondylosis
- Nerve irritation or injury
- Postoperative pain
- Chronic lameness
- Improving local blood circulation
The choice of method and electrical settings is made individually – depending on species, tissue type, treatment goal, and tolerance.
Treatment process
Special electrodes designed for use in animals are applied – including so-called brush electrodes, which can be used even on dense fur without shaving.
Depending on the procedure, a session typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. The number of sessions required depends on the specific diagnosis. In many cases, combining electrotherapy with physiotherapy, physical activity, or pharmacological pain management is advisable.
Would you like to know whether electrotherapy might benefit your animal?
I’ll be happy to assess your case and provide individual advice.
Neural Therapy – Local Stimuli to Support Nervous System Regulation
What is Neural Therapy?
Neural therapy is an injection technique that uses local anesthetics such as procaine in a targeted manner to influence pain and regulatory processes via the nervous system. Its effect is not based on local anesthesia, but rather on precise stimulation of nerve points, skin zones, or so-called interference fields.
In veterinary medicine, this method is mainly used for functional disorders, chronic pain, or irritation syndromes. Injections are administered superficially (wheal technique) or deeper into the tissue, depending on the diagnosis, and always in low doses.
Indications
Depending on the diagnosis and individual response, neural therapy can be used as supportive treatment for:
- chronic or therapy-resistant pain
- muscular tension, myofascial trigger points
- lameness of unclear origin
- irritation in tendons, fasciae, or joints
- autonomic imbalances (e.g. regulatory dysfunctions)
- scars or interference fields with systemic effects
Treatment Process
Each session begins with a thorough clinical examination. Injections are then administered either into the skin (wheal technique), into deeper tissues, around nerves, or into scar tissue – depending on the indication. The local anesthetic procaine is typically used in low doses and is generally well tolerated.
A session usually takes only a few minutes. Depending on the course and the animal’s response, either a single injection or a short treatment series may be appropriate. Most animals tolerate the procedure very well. Thanks to the small amount of active substance and precise application, the method is gentle and can be combined with other therapies.
Curious whether this approach could help your animal?
Let’s find out together whether neural therapy is right for your animal.
Scientific Consulting – Evidence-Based & Independent
In the jungle of medical and seemingly expert information, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for animal owners to distinguish between sound recommendations, well-meaning advice, and marketing-driven claims. Many owners wish to gain deeper insights into background information, available evidence, and ask open questions – beyond brochures or slogans.
As a veterinary epidemiologist (Dipl. EVCPH) with extensive experience in scientific review and critical appraisal, I offer independent, evidence-based consulting. My goal is to present medical information in a clear and structured way – so you can make informed decisions based on reliable knowledge.
This is not about dictating a specific course of action. It’s about providing orientation: transparent, focused, and grounded – so you can feel confident in your decision.
Possible Topics
- Evaluation of current treatment options (e.g., pain therapy, vaccination, reproduction)
- Interpretation of veterinary research studies or scientific publications
- Critical review of individual studies and their scientific validity
- Assessment of claims from online sources, advertising, or anecdotal reports
- Evidence-based clarification of individual questions about animal health
- Preparation for second medical opinions or treatment decisions
- Overview of the relevance, epidemiology, and current knowledge on infectious diseases
This consulting service is available independently of any treatment and is designed for owners who wish to understand the science, clarify uncertainties, and make informed decisions – objectively, and without bias.
I’m happy to discuss in advance whether this format is suitable for your questions.
2025
Socio-Psychological and External Factors Influencing Biosecurity Compliance in U.S. Poultry Farming.
P. Moura, S. Küker, M. Farnell, J. Stowell-Moss, J. Tickel, P. Buholzer, H.L. Simmons
2025
Large heterogeneity in biosecurity legislation in the intensive pig production across Europe.
E. Biebaut, M. Štukelj, I. Chantziaras, T. P. Nunes, V. Nedosekov, C. C. Gomes, B. Mehmedi, I. Corrégé, L. Ózsvári, L. Svennesen, E. Bernaerdt, I. Toppari, L. Gresakova, C. Romanelli, M. E. Filippitzi, S. Meling, B. Angjelovski, S. Küker, …Jasna Prodanov-Radulović
Prev Vet Med 237, April 2025
2025
Animal health syndromic surveillance system in Jordan, a road map for a pilot model
M. De Nardi, S. Küker, Salah, F. Rosso, S Baiomy
Front. Vet. Sci., April 2025
2021
Evaluation of Medetomidine-Ketamine for Immobilization of Feral Horses in Romania.
Roșu, O., Melega, I., Evans, A. L., Arnemo, J. M. A., Küker, S.
Front. Vet. Sci., 21 June 2021
2021
Evaluation of Three Medetomidine-Based Anesthetic Protocols in Free-Ranging Wild Boars (Sus scrofa).
Morelli, J., Rossi, S., Fuchs, B., Richard, E., Barros, D.S.B., Küker, S., Arnemo, J. M., Evans
Front. Vet. Sci., 2021
2021
Potential and challenges of community-based surveillance in animal health: a pilot study amongst equine owners in Switzerland
Özcelik R., Wohlfender-Remy F., Küker S., Visschers V., Hadorn D., and Dürr S.
Front. Vet. Sci., 04 June 2021
2020
Factors associated with cattle necropsy submissions in Switzerland, and their importance for surveillance
Trachsel, C., Küker, S., Nathues, H., Grahofer, A.
Theriogenology 161, 74–82 – 2020
2020
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in South American camelids in Switzerland and assessment of serological tests for diagnosis
Zühlke, I., Berezowski, J., Bodmer, M., Küker, S., Göring, A., Rinaldi, F., Faverjon, C., Gurtner
Prev Vet Med 187, 105235 – 2020
2020
The ongoing crisis in China illustrates that the assessment of epidemics in isolation is no longer sufficient
Stoffel C., Schuppers, M., Buholzer, P., Munoz V., Lechner I., Sperling U., Küker S., DeNardi M.
Letter to the editor. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases – 2020
2017
The value of necropsy reports for animal health surveillance
Küker, S., Faverjon, C., Furrer, L., Berezowski, J., Posthaus, H., Rinaldi, F., Vial, F.
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1505-1 – 2017, PLoS ONE 13(10), e0205027
2017
Quantifying capture stress in free-ranging European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).
Huber, N., Vetter, S.G., Evans, A.L., Kjellander, P., Bergvall, Küker, S., Arnemo, J.M.
BMC Vet Res 13(1), 127 – 2017
2017
A double-blinded, randomized comparison of medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam and dexmedetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos).
Esteruelas, N.F., Cattet, M., Zedrosser, A., Stenhouse, G.B., Küker, S., Evans, A.L., Arnemo
PLoS ONE 12(1), e0170764 – 2017
2015
Serum Chemistry, and Serum Protein Electrophoresis Ranges for Freeranging Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Sweden.
S. Küker, N. Huber, S. Vetter, A. L. Evans, P. Kjellander, U. A. Bergvall, J. L. Krista, J. M.
J Wildl Dis, 51(1):269-273 – 2015