How much weeping and swelling is normal after gelding?

[Wagtail]

As title really. 5 month old foal was gelded yesterday. Seems really well in himself. It's as though he hasn't even missed them! But just been down to check him in the field (checked this morning also) and his sheath seems quite swollen and there is a small trickle of thin blood tinged serum coming down from the scrotum. It's not streaming and in five whole minutes did not drip but I wanted to know if this is normal? Vet said yesterday that drips were fine and its just streaming blood we should be worried about but wondered how long that should be for. I didn't notice it this morning although there was evidence of it down his legs. Thanks.

 

[*hic*]

WHen this happened to one I was involved with I took a photo on my phone and sent it to the vet who was able to confirm that it was all perfectly normal. Yours sounds very similar. Perhaps a photo to the vet would set your mind at rest?

 

[Wagtail]

That's a good idea. They are such a worry!

 

[Rowreach]

You want it to drain rather than swell up too much, so a drip is good, so long as it's not fast and/or excessively bloody. Problems start if the wound crusts over and it stops draining. For a foal, if this happens you can lead him about it will help it to drain. Older horses can be lunged but personally I don't do this unless they are 3+.

 

[putasocinit]

5 months seems so young were both testicles showing, ours are never fully descended until at least 12 months old. hope the wee poppet is okay.

 

[Wagtail]

You want it to drain rather than swell up too much, so a drip is good, so long as it's not fast and/or excessively bloody. Problems start if the wound crusts over and it stops draining. For a foal, if this happens you can lead him about it will help it to drain. Older horses can be lunged but personally I don't do this unless they are 3+.

Oh that's good. He was kept in last night but has been out since this morning and had a good run about. He is staying out tonight.

 

[Wagtail]

5 months seems so young were both testicles showing, ours are never fully descended until at least 12 months old. hope the wee poppet is okay.

Yes, both were decended. Yes it does seem a young age, but the vet said there were fewer complications when they are younger, and kinder to do it before weaning so he has suckling to comfort him. He really doesn't seem bothered, bless him. It must be sore though. He is on antibiotics and danilon.

 

[Suechoccy]

My vet told me it's normal for the scrotum area to be swollen for up to around 5 days and for blood/clear fluid to drip out over those 5 days.

The more the horse can move about, the better as the massage of moving helps to drain it and reduce any swelling. So better to be living out rather than boxed.

I found my neddy stood in the urinating position in the field, looking very sorry for himself, the day afterwards (36 hours or so later), but he moved as soon as I called him and was eating normally.

By day 3 there was hardly any blood and by day 5 the majority of swelling had gone.

 

[putasocinit]

that's okay then, also mom for support.

 

[Wagtail]

My vet told me it's normal for the scrotum area to be swollen for up to around 5 days and for blood/clear fluid to drip out over those 5 days.

The more the horse can move about, the better as the massage of moving helps to drain it and reduce any swelling. So better to be living out rather than boxed.

I found my neddy stood in the urinating position in the field, looking very sorry for himself, the day afterwards (36 hours or so later), but he moved as soon as I called him and was eating normally.

By day 3 there was hardly any blood and by day 5 the majority of swelling had gone.

Thanks! That has put my mind at rest. He just seems his normal self, so obviously isn't feeling too bad!

 

[Ibblebibble]

My vet told me it's normal for the scrotum area to be swollen for up to around 5 days and for blood/clear fluid to drip out over those 5 days.

The more the horse can move about, the better as the massage of moving helps to drain it and reduce any swelling. So better to be living out rather than boxed.


By day 3 there was hardly any blood and by day 5 the majority of swelling had gone.

yup same here, colt was older than 5 months and one ball had tried to hide so vet had done a good bit of rooting about to get it he was very swollen to start with and i did phone vet for confirmation that all was normal and they were totally happy with his progress.

 

[staceyn]

That seems perfectly normal my boy has a tiny trickle like yours for a day or two and it was swollen for a week or so just keep a eye on it

 

[Wagtail]

Thanks, everyone. Pleased I posted this.

 

[Thistle]

Some swelling and dripping is normal, as others have said it's best to keep the area open and allow it to heal slowly from the inside. It it starts to swell and looks crusty a well directed jet from the hose can help open it up again. If the swelling gets big (grapefruit to melon sized) he may have an infection. If you suspect that is the case it's useful to take his temp to monitor it.

Has he been given antibiotics? Keep an eye on it though as we still have plenty of flies about.

 

[Wagtail]

Some swelling and dripping is normal, as others have said it's best to keep the area open and allow it to heal slowly from the inside. It it starts to swell and looks crusty a well directed jet from the hose can help open it up again. If the swelling gets big (grapefruit to melon sized) he may have an infection. If you suspect that is the case it's useful to take his temp to monitor it.

Has he been given antibiotics? Keep an eye on it though as we still have plenty of flies about.

Yes he is on antibiotics and danilon. The swelling is probably small apple size.

 

[Cortez]

The younger they are gelded the less it sets them back. Swelling will probably get a bit worse before it starts to go down, and it should ooze for 3 - 4 days. Swelling should be gone by day 7. If things get really HUGE and tight/shiney and horse is in obvious discomfort them you may have an infection and the vet should come again, but that is rare. Keep him out and moving as much as possible, it really helps the wound to drain and swelling to go down.

 

[Wagtail]

Excellent. Thanks. It's certainly not huge at the minute.