Very Worried about my guy - Sheath problem!

[ashlingm]

i just noticed today that my guy has a swollen sheath and im a bit worried about it

ive never seen it swollen before...ive read somewhere that it could be water retention and as hes stabled most of the day this could be a reason however its never happened before (and hes exercised most days and out in the field most days ...weather permitting)

also heard it could be a sign of it needing to be cleaned so going to give this a go tomorrow (just ruling out options before vet comes down - dont want to spend 60euro just for him to tell me he needs to be cleaned)

as for his sheath its kind of cool / cold to the touch and he seems a bit more bothered about me touching it ...never did before (but this could just be in myhead:rolleyes:) and it feels a bit lumpier then normal (again could be in my head...dont normally spend that long down there poking around and making sure everything is ok)

i was just wondering what you guys might think or recommend. vet will of course be called if it dosent clear up. could it be some sort of infection?? if so what could be causing it??

hes 14 so not recently gelded and eating and drinking ok. and seems well in himself generally...bit full of beans...but happy

would really appreciate any input

[ashlingm]

bump...any one ....please. any info would mean alot

[Kerpug]

Ok my lad hasn't had a swollen sheath just too much smeg!!!:eek:
But anyway i have a fab vets book that lists this that i remember so off i run to get it.......

Ok basically says could be caused by infection, tumour of the sheath or penis, oedema. Also fly and snake bites. It says check for lumps or other areas of swelling, check for changes in heat and swelling. Treatment depends on cause and may just require antibotics and washes. It states contact vet as a matter of urgency if horse straining to urinate.

So i'd say if still like that tomorrow call vet to check and see if he's wee'd.
Obviously i've looked this up as you have had no replies but someone might see this who has experienced it.

Good luck let us know how he is :)

[horsey1]

I would deff check to see if he is peeing ok, if its swollen I would get the vet to come and look, not something i would leave tbh

[lizayr]

i would suggest vet, i dont want to alarm any one but my good friend had her 24 year old PTS 2 weeks ago on monday due to swelling of sheath and other swellings on chest, in the end it was his heart, like i said i dont want to alarm anyone with my friends experience, but after it if my gelding was swollen i would get the vet.

[ashlingm]

i will contact vet if it doesent clear up - he seems to be peeing ok. havnt seen him though...will have to keep an eye on him to see if hes straining.

its just cause ive noticed it suddenly that im worried.

im going to clean it tomorrow hopefully...and if it doesnt clear up ill call the vet
and ill get him out maybe for a hack and get him moving...should rule out water retention then
after that i guess its one of the other options...vet might to bloods or somthing. best let the vet sort it out.

lisayr - sorry to hear about your firends horse. did they find out what was causing the swelling???

[lizayr]

yes he was PTS his heart was what was causing it, blood tests said he was fine, but he was tyring quick, so she made the right decision, he had a good life she had him 20 years, hope your horse haS a speedy recovery

[Kerpug]

How was he today?

[ashlingm]

threw him out in the field for a good couple of hours..and its gone down alot...maybe it was just water retention. stil gotta clean him though and just keep an eye on him.
not so worried now as its gone down alot, and hes generally happy in himself...but ill keep u updated.
fingers crossed its just me worrying over nothing

[lachlanandmarcu]

If hes ****ty to you when you try to clean it (eg with dilute Hibi or sheath cleaner) then as a temp measure to free hard stuck on bits you can use Baby oil (get a few funny looks when you rush into the chemist and buy it in bulk haha!) - it is very soothing and slippery so horse usu will tolerate it and then a couple of days later anything left can be properly cleaned out and it will be much more comfy by then

hope this helps I have a gelding who does NOT like anyone messing with his tackle but unfortunately is VERY keen on getting it filthy and poking straw up it :-))

[doris]

Some people prefer to use KY Jelly instead of baby oil, as KY is meant for internal use and baby oil isn't. However, I've also heard that in cases of gelding not letting anyone near their sheath, then a quick squirt of baby oil on their dingly dangle when 'relaxed' and hanging out is the next best thing to being able to actually clean the sheath. In this way, when they retract the dingly dangle, it self cleans the sheath to a certain extent.

[lachlanandmarcu]

it certainly works that way with my boy and he is then so much more comfy he lets me clean it properly:-)

[doris]

I think that geldings get secretions that can go really hard and sharp so obviously when that happens it can cause pain and sometimes infections as well.

Can't you just tell that I've recently got a gelding as well as my mare so have been doing lots of research on 'boy bits'.

[sheryl]

Have you seen this thread? Sounds similar:confused:
http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133681

My old gelding used to swell sometimes. I never had the vet though because it used to come and go, and he was always fine in himself, so I never found out what it was...I thought it was flies because it seemed to happen in the summer.
Hope he's well soon

[tina1958]

You could try cleaning it out with sheath cleaner. Be very careful though if its swollen it may we be very sore.

I think I would be inclined to let the vet have a look at it as well.