A sheath question...

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Gf5871

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Having only owned mares my entire life I can't say I'm overly familiar with male pony parts... on grooming my boy this morning I realised that his sheath is covered in these small white blister like things, of course I had to take a picture. I can't say I've ever noticed them before? Are they normal or do I need to call the vet?
Just sent husband down the field to check I'm not going mad and he confirms they do look like blisters although he doesn't seem in any discomfort! Thank you!

 
Sorry! Hoping this works!

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I don't know, they look like tiny warts. What age is your boy? The reason I ask is that warts can appear on youngsters age 2-3yo or so out of the blue and then disappear again a few months later when the horse develops immunity to the virus that causes them. However, those are usually on the chest or face. I've never seen them on the sheath before.

Or it could be something else completely!
 
fburton said:
I don't know, they look like tiny warts. What age is your boy? The reason I ask is that warts can appear on youngsters age 2-3yo or so out of the blue and then disappear again a few months later when the horse develops immunity to the virus that causes them. However, those are usually on the chest or face. I've never seen them on the sheath before.

Or it could be something else completely!
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He's just turned 3. They're more on one side than the other, & ive noticed tonight a few are open but dry and crusty?
 
Warts can do that. In your situation I would probably keep an eye on them and get the vet out if they became at all sore or weepy. I'd also look out for similar warts appearing elsewhere.

However, you shouldn't treat my suggestion in any way as a definite diagnosis, and if you're worried at all by all means contact your vet.
 
fburton said:
Warts can do that. In your situation I would probably keep an eye on them and get the vet out if they became at all sore or weepy. I'd also look out for similar warts appearing elsewhere.

However, you shouldn't treat my suggestion in any way as a definite diagnosis, and if you're worried at all by all means contact your vet.
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That's for your reply, really appreciate it.
He's not at all fazed by it, he's not swollen nor seems in any pain so I think I'll just keep an eye and get the vet to check when they're out in a few weeks xx
 
My 4yo had something similar appear on his sheath. They went away again a few weeks later, never found what they were but suspect viral papillomata warts.
 
Ditto Gloi viral papillomata warts. My boy had them & they disappeared after a few months, but I did put him on an immunity supplement just in case it helped.
 
Warts usually drop off with time - but he does have a lot of them. I'd be getting one of the human wart removal treatments available for people in your loca chemist (DON'T tell them it's for a horse - they get embarrassed and aren't allowed to sell things for horses.) Scholl does one - they're all pretty much the same.

I wouldn't treat them all at once - target a few, and when they are gone, start a few more. It does work - and there IS a risk that you may have a couple of tiny sarcoids hiding in there - it works on them too.
 
It's astonishing to me how quickly these viral papillomatoses come and go. One week they're there, the next week they're gone.

I've heard of a treatment that involves taking a biopsy sample of warts, grinding it up and injecting the suspension under the skin. That is supposed to work a bit like a vaccine, accelerating the development of immunity. I have also heard the suggestion that if the skin in rubbed (accidentally, by the horse!) and bleeds, this hastens development of immunity due to more virus getting into the circulation. However, I'm a wee bit dubious about both of these, especially since in my experience the warts eventually disappear anyway. I suppose an active treatment might be worth trying of the warts are dense enough to start to cause discomfort to the horses. Obviously that isn't the case with your boy, Gf5871, at the moment. Chances are they will be gone within six months (although my disclaimer above still applies).
 
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