recurring flystrike in elderly geldings sheath

kate.m

kate.m

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Im absolutely at my wits end. last year in August my boy had a bad case of fly strike luckily it was caught in time and the vet managed to remove all maggots that were aggressively trying to feast on his willy he escaped any real damage and just needed a sedation to drop his willy (he never drops it so its a nightmare to keep clean) it was cleaned and smothered in sudocream the next day the vet came to repeat the process to be 100% sure all was well he recovered and all was well until this week I noticed he was dripping a brown/yellow liquid from inside his sheath just like when he had flystrike in August so the vet came out and sadated him yesterday and there there were horrid maggots all around his willy and in his sheath he was cleaned and sudocreamed. Im literally pulling my hair out with the stress of the impending next flystrike attack..

Physically hes not in great condition he's got extensive muscle wastage hardly any teeth and a very prominent heart murmur two days prior to the flystrike I had to call the vet outon emergency because he was suffering from choke so he had a sedation/muscle relaxant and a bute injection.

So basically within 4 days hes had two sanctions and good amount of bute, each sedation is risky due to his age and heart condition and the vet is getting more unwilling to sedate him which is totally understandable he ideally need to be sadated again for a follow up check on his willy to make sure all maggots were removed but he's really quite frail from the choke and flystrike we can't risk another sedation so im having to watch and wait to see if he starts dripping liquid from his sheath. Today he seems alot more alert and happy even kicking the gate to the field to go out.

Now im totally paranoid about keeping flies away from his sheath i will be washing it weekly and covering his sheath and in it with sudocream and layering the outside less sensitive area's with fly repellent and the bright yellow summer fly and maggot cream usually used on sheep.

He's on a diet of slobber mash and vegetable oil twice a day he was getting alfa oil in his feed but he's slugging with the roughness of it so I've cut that out also hay is a problem too.

His body condition is very poor and hes skeletal and its a constant battle to keep him going I know this will be his last summer if not couple of months.

He's happy and interested in things so I don't think its time yet for him to be put to sleep I just want to make his last summer as nice and comfortable for him as possible.
 
from my interpretation of what you have written i would PTS as it does not sound like things are going to improve but that you are waiting for things to get worse before making the decision, have you asked your vet what they would do if it was their horse?
 
My vet said that when he gets over this flystrike episode then let him have a at least the summer before getting him PTS he had a full health check only a week before the choke and flystrike and he was deemed as in good health considering his age heart condition and lack of teeth he's mentally happy and very interested in what's going on.
Also another vet said the same thing plus im not selfish enough to prolong any suffering just because I don't want to say goodbye.

I've owned him 20 odd years and definitely will know when enough is enough, as the vets said he's not in pain
and he's still has general intinterest in his routine and life and if im happy to put that extra effort and hours in feeding more washing and tending to him then let him have a little longer its just unfortunate that he's more selectable to flystrike ect because he is basically a geriatric.

I just wanted some ideas or advice on how to keep the flystrike at bay or any other feed stuffs I could be adding to his diet.

Im very much prepared for him being PTS I've discussed with my vet who I want to do it what method and removal and cremation.
 
I'd have a chat with the vet about preventing strike, does his sheath need regular cleaning for example. I am not sure if there is some sort of net or rug that can protect sheaths.
 
Obviously he is not using his tail enough to chase them away, no doubt due to age and sluggishness and not enough strength due to condition hence why the flys are striking him. I am using neem oil which i wipe liberally around mines sheath and in front and the flys dont go near him i would really invest in some its not expensive you can get it through amazon. If you are gojng to keep him for the summer he doesnt need to suffer from the maggots, they could eat into himand whilst the vet says he is not in pain, he doesnt know what the boy is feeling down there being eaten. Would they be attacking him because in essense he is dying in himself, sorry i hope that doesnt sound awful but i think someone will understand what i mean. Its an old age thing
 
Hi op, to a far lesser extent I have a similar problem with the sheath and flies. My gelding has an unbelievably dirty sheath and the flies love it. I have found Avon skin so soft has helped a lot but I've also been looking at Snuggy hoods sheath cover.
Obviously it's designed to attach to one of their own fly rugs but I've wondered if I could adapt one to be used with my current fly sheet.
Have a look on their web site, might be an idea?
 
Go to an agricultural store and ask for yellow fly strike cream:) It's thick and gunky, not very expensive, and comes in huge tubs! Apply very generously at least twice a day.

Can he come inside during the day when the flys are out?
 
Whilst flies are opportunists, and will seek out any available place to lay their eggs, there's no question that run-down or health-depleted, animals, or those which are rapidly reaching the end of their days, are often preyed upon, out of preference.

Considering the site of the attacks, there will be no insect repelling chemicals that I know of, which will not cause considerable distress to the tender area concerned. As Cragrat suggests yellow fly strike cream will be soothing and 'should' keep flies away from the poor boy, but considering the remainder of your open and honest initial post, and considering not just your horse's condition, his problems and your vet's apparent unwillingness to sedate him, yet again, then the view of most would be that the kindest act would be for you to send the poor old chap off to heaven.

Probably not what you want to hear, but I fail to see how giving him just one more summer, if he's to be tormented by flies, can be considered in his best interest.

Alec.
 
I use 'Click', licenced for sheep but never had any adverse reactions from my horses. It is applied topically and gives at least eight weeks' protection. Flies won't even land on the dosed areas, far less spend time laying eggs.
 
I've been using neem oil on my ponies sheath with good effect. He has bad sweet itch and his sheath is always badly affected.

I just wondered too if your pony was being treated for Cushings as that can make them more vulnerable to various infections.
 
My old girl (40) had Cushings & we had to be so careful as she got fly strike whenever she got a cut. She was v furry due to Cushings, so it was hard to see if she'd picked up a little injury in the field. Had to be v vigilant - it sounds as if yours is the same.

I PTS last year as she had the Cushings, a relatively minor eye issue that just wouldn't clear up, a stiff leg & then we reached the point where I simply couldn't keep weight on her. I'd had her since she was 3, so I really do understand how hard it is. RIP Jen.

T x
 
AengusOg said:
I use 'Click', licenced for sheep but never had any adverse reactions from my horses. It is applied topically and gives at least eight weeks' protection. Flies won't even land on the dosed areas, far less spend time laying eggs.
Click to expand...

'Click's' active chemical is Dicyclinil (sp?!), and it is as you say, licensed for sheep. I use it every year, and mostly it's very effective on sheep, being assured of protection for 16 weeks. I've never used Click on horses, but would wonder how a horse may react if it's put around the animal's sheath, where there's tender skin.

The system used for sheep (as I'm sure that you are aware, though others may not be), is that with an applicator an approximately 2" wide stripe is put from the poll to the dock, the idea being that the chemical will sink through the wool, and when it reaches the skin, it will then spread and give total coverage. This works with wool, but with a horse's coat, I'd wonder if it may run off. I suspect that for Click to give total coverage, that if the horse was truly soaked, before the application, then it may be even more effective.

The Cypermethrines and Alphacypermethrines are licenced for horses, though I'd imagine that should either come in to contact with a horse's sheath, the poor creature would be likely to explode. Dicyclinil, on the other hand, when I get it on my skin doesn't burn as CPM does, so you may well have hit upon a good idea!

The interesting manufacturer's 'claim' for Dicyclinil is that it inhibits the growth of the maggot, which is nonsense, the flies don't lay eggs is actually how it works! The CPMs, on the other hand, fry flies!

Alec.
 
I use Crovect for sheep and have previously used it on a horse's delicate areas, in desperation, with no ill effects to the horse.

ETS: Dettol will kill maggots (or at least will make the jump ship) and FAM30 would kill everything, but I wouldn't use the latter on any animal ;) :)
 
Thank you to all those who have taken the time to reply,

My boy Paddington general health has massively deteriorated within the last couple of days he had a mild case of colic Saturday hes now completely refusing to eat and move from his stable whilst staring motionless at the floor we've absolutely fought with everything we have to keep him going but I feel he's "asking" me to put him out of his misery I've arranged for him to be put to sleep tomorrow morning and then I will let myself and my other horse have a couple of hours with him before his body is removed for cremation..im absolutely devastated and I've strugged for days nursing him whilst im 6 months pregnant and emotionally its been the hardest thing I've had to do but he needs a dignified end to this nighmare week hes had its all been to much choke flystrike and colic he's had 31 lovely years and I need to remember the good times now..
 
I'm so sorry he has deteriorated so much but I am sure you have made the right decision for him. So hard for you all and I am sending you all lots of strength for tomorrow morning. xxxxxx
 
I'll be thinking of you and your boy tomorrow.

I'm very sorry that he's deteriorated, but you are doing the right thing even though it's heartbreaking.
 
Assuming that the poor lad survives the night, then tomorrow will be the end of his suffering, by the sounds of things. Were you closer, then I'd offer my assistance. I understand that such decisions are difficult, and I do understand.

Alec.
 
It's the hardest decision, but it's the right one for your boy. Have been there myself, so I know just how you must be feeling. You'll be devastated, undoubtedly, but you can be proud knowing that you gave your horse a great life, and a dignified and timely end.
 
There is absolutely no doubt you are doing the right thing. I am closer than Alec and if i can be of any help please let me know.- I do have to work in the morning and I don't know exactly where you are but if i can arrange to help you in any way i will.
He was a lucky little horse to have had such a loving owner who has put him first in the hardest decision and my heart go's out to you xx
 
Kate.m, I too think you are doing the right and only thing at this stage. Not an easy decision.

Alec and martlin, I actually meant that I use Crovect. I mistakenly said Click. It's the pink stuff I use. I just use a cloth and wipe it on. Sometimes things end up in odd containers at work. :o
 
You poor thing its so hard when you love your animals and you have to make a disition, but you have to do what you feel best for the horse!! flies are a total nightmare but what you do find that flies always torment the weakest ie your old horse , maybe its natures way of trying to tell you something, you will know when the time is right but i do agree with the above post!! please keep us posted on how you get on xxxxxxxx
 
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