Any advice needed on horse with very swollen sheath

laurenelhall

New User
Joined
22 January 2010
Messages
3
Visit site
Hi,

I bought a horse 2 months ago and he has seemed to recently have developed a very swollen sheath. He is a gelding but now looks more like a stallion. The vet came and though it was a skin infection so put him on antibiotics but nothing happened. The vet is due back out on tuesday but just wanted to ask for advice as he is now bloated, and tender around his stomach near his back legs and also has developed a white large hairless patch on the back of his leg that is white a flaky. Would like any suggestions please that i can put to the vet or maybe give me something to do while waiting for the vet to make sure he is as comfortable as possible.

Thanks and please comment and give advice as really need it,

Lauren xxx

Ps he has been wormed.
 
Possibility that its a lymphangitis type disorder. What sort of management is he on? Turned out much recently? Did it occur after being stabled over night? Change in routine? Is the swelling extendin along his belly? Does he look depressed, or normal until you go to his hindend?
 
Could be lymphangitis, could be oedema due to low protein. I would ask for a blood test to check his protein levels and liver function. Is the bald patch on his leg in a place where the hair was white before? I'm not clear from what you say if he now has fluid on his belly too but if you press it with your thumb and leave a print then it is fluid/oedema.
Whilst waiting for the vet I would walk him as much as poss (in hand) at least 20 mins twice as day to try and get rid of the fluid. Also incase it is his liver consider avoiding oil/carbohydrate rich food till he has been tested.
 
I am not sure if it was you I replied to on another forum but I had a horse who after worming had a terribly swollen sheath. It lasted for about a week. It was a reaction albeit rare to the wormer. The vet prescribed bute and it gradually reduced.

It probably is not that but if you have recently wormed then it might be something to bear in mind.
 
Get the vet to rummage about looking for a smegma bean too. He might need sedating to do it, but we had same thing with our gelding (King Dong, not the bald patches) and it was a ginormous smegma bean that was the cause of it
tongue.gif
 
Top