Swollen sheath and straining to wee

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mangobiscuit

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My 20 yr old horse has been cross tied for 4 weeks due to fracture. He's off all antibiotics and painkillers now but today I have noticed that his sheath is HUGE!! I'm talking it looks like a pair of testicles!

I tried putting some gentle pressure on it and he didn't seem in excrutiating pain over it but flinched slightly.

He then looked like he was going to urinate but just a bit dribbled out
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I've noticed him not weeing properly a couple of weeks ago but he then went back to normal.

He's drinking normal amounts of water and eatling his hay as normal and doesn't seem to be in pain but I'm worried about the size of the sheath and the straining.... Also it looks like ther are some tiny white "spots/flecks" on one side of it.

Please can someone help me? I will obviously call vet out if necessary but wanted to ask advice on here in case it's something simple (just got the vet bill for the fracture treatment...so far...and it's over 2 grand
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I don`t have any advice to give you as your horse is on restricted movement and the swelling is most likely to be due to that. My gelding had a hugely swollen sheath, too, due to inactivity. It was ginormous and very tense to the touch though not obviously painful as he didn`t object to my palpating. He was able to pass urine in good amounts with a good stream so the swelling wasn`t obstructing his urethra, fortunately. He also has little white spots, probably similar to those you describe but they have always been there and don`t appear ominous so I ignore them. I did ring the vet to ask his advice and he was unconcerned so long as the pony continued to pass urine. That would be my only concern with your horse, that he isn`t passing good amounts of urine. Difficulty or pain in doing so may cause him to restrict his fluid intake which could result in other problems. I would therefore have a chat with the vet and take his/her advice. How much longer will your horse be on restricted movement?

I am very fortunate in that in the last two days I have managed to obtain turnout for my pony and the swelling in his sheath has reduced considerably. I do hope the vet is able to reassure you regarding your horse. Sounds like you`ve had a worryingly enough time already!
 
I agree that the swelling is probably down to lack of movement. However, I would be most concerned about the possible problem in not being able to wee properly.

I would have the vet as soon as possible.
 
If he is having trouble passing urine then I would speak with the vet.

Benj had been on box rest for a while and his legs, sheath and tummy all swelled. He had numerous blood tests as the swelling was slow to go down.

The vet will advise hosing it, but a bit difficult in your position.

What is he being fed at the minute? Trying to cut out any sugars may help.

What happened to your boy?

P x
 
Thanks for your replies
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He came in from the field with wound to his leg (hind) and ended up HOPPING lame. In fact pooor thing refused to move even a small amount.

Was xrayed and suspected fracture to top of cannon - he had 2nd set of xrays 3 weeks later and it's definately fractured.

NOt sure of plan of action apart from more time tied (which I just hate seeing him on) and 3rd set xrays in two weeks!

Anyhoo...gotta love them haven't you
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I've been massaging him and playing some games (as poeple have suggested on here - thanks guys) and he's seems happyish.

Getting back to his willy...yes think I'll give the vet a ring. He seems to wee normally throughout the day but I've noticed this straining at other times so god only knows....?!

Thanks again for your advice
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Lucy

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Ah, someone's beaten me to it! I was going to suggest a "bean". It's a build up of smegma in one of the little fossae on the tip of the penis and it compresses the urethra, causing difficulty in passing urine and a swollen sheath. The vet can just pop it out, although they will probably sedate him to do it, as (not surprisingly!) he might be a bit narked at someone grabbing his old man and removing the bean!

Could be something else, of course, but a bean was my first thought. Let us know what the vet finds!
 
I would suggest you let your vet have a look at it. A horse on our yard with this problem had ulcers on his willy which had become infected. His sheath was very swollen. Has been fine after a good clean and anti biotics etc.
 
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