Sheath cleaning

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katymay

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I know this thread has been done to death so bare with me :) was waiting for the farrier today and was giving my boy a good look over and noticed around his sheath opening that he had a fair few massive clumps of wax like black sticky substance which I can only presume that he needs a thorough clean :( it definately wasn't mud clumps, it was so matted in his fur as he is so fluffy that I didn't think water would remove so managed to cut them off, he was such a good boy and not bothered at all.
There is still a lot of sticky residue so after this long winded post what method should I use and what product? I have never cleaned one before, thank you x
 
Unfortunately I'm an expert at this due to my horse's melanomas. Use warm water with a splash of liquid paraffin (available from a pharmacy) NOTHING ELSE. Don't even use the sheath cleaners, they disturb the natural balance of bacteria and can make things worse. Use a very wet soft clean cloth and slosh it round, removing as much as you can but don't worry if you can't get every single bit. Use rubber gloves or your hands will stink. Ych-y-fi as we say in Wales. Don't forget to check for the bean inside the urethra. It's a joyous activity.
 
Lots of things, Brillo pad and oven cleaner, or what they use at the VD clinics, wire brush and Dettol.................ONLY KIDDING DON'T USE EITHER OF THOSE.


I shoot baby oil up his sheath, let it soak a bit and use my hand and paper towel to clean.
 
annagain said:
Unfortunately I'm an expert at this due to my horse's melanomas. Use warm water with a splash of liquid paraffin (available from a pharmacy) NOTHING ELSE. Don't even use the sheath cleaners, they disturb the natural balance of bacteria and can make things worse. Use a very wet soft clean cloth and slosh it round, removing as much as you can but don't worry if you can't get every single bit. Use rubber gloves or your hands will stink. Ych-y-fi as we say in Wales. Don't forget to check for the bean inside the urethra. It's a joyous activity.
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Thank you, being a bit thick, how am I going to tell if he has a bean in his urethra? He never really sticks it out! And how do you get it out if there is one squeeze? It was bad enough that I was playing with his bits just as someone walked along the footpath, trying to explain that I was just cleaning his willy made it worse :) :)
 
I will start again, stupid tablet!! I have had my gelding nearly 9 years, only ever had mares before, I have never cleaned his sheath and he has never had a problem. Are some geldings just more prone to this than others? Celt does seem to dangle his bits out rather a lot though!!
 
My gelding never had a problem but as they grow older and move about less it does get worst. My lad now needs clearing regularly and he allows me to hose him out and stick my hand up there and remove all the sticky stuff. I find it easier to keep on top of it, rather then allow it to build up as it can get sore and swell up. Most of the stuff will be just inside, if he has a bean inside, it would be painful and swollen. The first time I had the vet and watched what she did, she sedated him, I just dive on in. The cost to have the vet varies, mine was£180 , so I learnt quickly. Once it's clean if it is swollen take him for a nice hack and the swelling will vanish.

There is a great thread on here which reduced me to tears giving detailed instructions ....I will look for it!
 
The only time my boy ever had his sheath cleaned was when the new vet wanted to do it. She'd seen him for some other reason and then told me that she could smell his sheath, and it really should be cleaned! I was quite surprised. She insisted on cleaning it - even when I said I wouldn't pay for it as I thought it was unnecessary.

I found out from friends on other yards, that it was "one of her things" - she didn't like smelly sheaths. She had been renamed all around the county as "Lily the Willy"!!!

My normal vet nearly wet himself laughing when I told him!!!
 
I give my boys a clean with damp baby oil rag. Their stallions but still get that black soft stinky stuff in the sheath. I was a little surprised when out of curiosity I felt my mares udders and there was also the same stuff in-between the two udders. Again just used a soaked baby oil rag to clean it out. I just recently bought a mini Donkey and it looks like I'm going to have to do the same to the bottom of his tear ducks as there can be a bit of a build up too.

All and all, as much of a sensitive subject it is, it's just another peace of anatomy that has to be taken care of. It's the same as picking your nose or cleaning out you ears, You talk don't about it or let other people see you do it but it has to done now and then.
 
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