My leech won't suck! help

[Lenka]

Yesterday I received 2 medicinal leeches from a lady who didn't want to feed them but didn't want them to starve anymore. They hadn't eaten in 1,5 years. Today I tried feeding them, I placed them on my arm (I know they are disease-free) and one of them latched on just fine but the other one didn't. It barely moves, although it will curl up a little when touched. I have since attempted to motivate it with sugary water and with a drop of my blood but it won't suck and it seems to be moving less and less. Is it too late? What can I do?

 

[MoranDisciple]

Yesterday I received 2 medicinal leeches from a lady who didn't want to feed them but didn't want them to starve anymore. They hadn't eaten in 1,5 years. Today I tried feeding them, I placed them on my arm (I know they are disease-free) and one of them latched on just fine but the other one didn't. It barely moves, although it will curl up a little when touched. I have since attempted to motivate it with sugary water and with a drop of my blood but it won't suck and it seems to be moving less and less. Is it too late? What can I do?

You could try giving it a F/T pinky since they have very thin skin. I've never kept leeches so take this with a grain of salt.

 

[Lenka]

Nevermind, it stopped reacting at all and died the previous owner probably starved them for too long. The other leech probably attacked the one that's dead now. I think i will buy some more of these guys to fill the tank a bit

 

[Ratmosphere]

Is there a benefit to letting them feed on you? Just keeping them alive by doing it?

 

[Lenka]

Is there a benefit to letting them feed on you? Just keeping them alive by doing it?

It really depends, i don't believe in any detox but the substances that leeches secrete into you, hirudin, heparin and others, could help treat some medical conditions (blood clotting etc). It is not necessary to feed leeches your blood, in nature they are mostly predators of frogs, fish, worms etc. I let them suck on me out of curiosity and it was an interesting experience

 

[Ratmosphere]

Very interesting.

 

[Arthroverts]

I hear it also helps increase blood pressure. While not necessary, it can be a very fascinating experience to observe. I personally however would never do that as just the thought of it freaks me out .

Good luck with your leech pursuit!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[The Snark]

I hear it also helps increase blood pressure.

Hirudin, in combination it increases systolic pressure. Commonly used in pre-eclampsia conditions.

 

[Lenka]

I just found out leeches are used in some surgeries - for example after breast transplants, leeches can be placed around the nipple to promote a steady blood flow so that the nipple gets enough nutrients and healing factors. They can also be used in veterinary medicine, one guy wrote that he used leeches on a turtle's injured flipper to help the healing process

 

[Tavin]

I hear it also helps increase blood pressure. While not necessary, it can be a very fascinating experience to observe. I personally however would never do that as just the thought of it freaks me out .

Good luck with your leech pursuit!

Thanks,

Arthroverts