Swollen sheath? - TMI alert?

[Lintel]

Noticed the Hipo had a swollen sheath last night-

Felt about it. No bites, cuts etc etc. Peeing fine, willy dangling about freely as normal.
Gave it a good clean, searched for willy beans but came up with nothing but smegma.

Today its still swollen.

He doesn't appear sore. . .?
Is this a vet call for tomorrow or should I give it a couple days?

He is perfectly fine in every other way!

 

[holeymoley]

I’m not sure of your horse but if overweight/cobby/native/laminitic type then it can also be a sign of inflammation and the liklihood of laminitis.

Other than that I can’t think of anything else.

 

[Lintel]

Yup spot on with that he is a Highland- we are currently in the midst of the winter diet however the last couple of weeks he has gone out on winter grazing partly which has more grass in it(in the areas there is grass)!

 

[Sossigpoker]

Or could be an infection brewing. I'd definitely call your vet tomorrow.

 

[SafeInSage]

Call vet. There’s likely some lenience in time than if it happened in the summer - I know someone who’s horse had an infection that was very deep down. Flies got into it and the maggot infestation was vile. Either way, better to get it checked than for any infection to worsen.

 

[Gloi]

It's another thing where I'd be considering a Cushing's test if you can't see any other reason behind it.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

My EMS pony gets a swollen sheath when his sugar intake is higher than it should be. The lymphatic system slows down and the liver can’t flush the toxins out of the body properly. I’ve found the only way to reduce the swelling is through movement and a fast hack will have it back to its normal size after 30 minutes. I took him off grass this summer and the problem disappeared so I know that’s his trigger.

 

[Gloi]

When my pony with Cushing's got a swollen sheath a bute worked well for him.

 

[Lou_wizzard]

My horse gets this quite abit. It goes down with exercise

 

[Lintel]

Hmm.... maybe a fast hack on the cards tomorrow alongside a phonecall to the vets. Going to get him tested for EMS/cushings in Jan with his teeth/jags. Hopefully not but age/breed and weight its always in my mind!

 

[holeymoley]

What age is he?

My gelding had his worst laminitic episode at this time of year aged 16. He tested as insulin resistant which is a metabolic condition. If they’re showing signs at this time of year it’s highly likely they have ems and/or cushings.

 

[rabatsa]

My arthritic lads sheath used to really swell up when he stopped moving about. Especially when he stayed in the barn rather than the loafing area. Making him walk about reduced the swelling a lot but often it was the first sign that his bute needed upping again.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I agree it's a sign of cushings or something metabolic and associated with them being overweight.

 

[abbijay]

My gelding had this 3 years ago, he was on bute and box rest at the time. I thought it would improve as we started turn out again but it didn't and then progressed to swelling along his midline (it's called ventral oedema, as I've since learned). Then he ended up on ICU as it was Right Dorsal Collitis (bute allergy).
If sheath swelling is present for more than 24/36 hours now I would call the vet as an emergency.

 

[Honey08]

My gelding gets this a lot when on the winter hard standing as he isn’t moving about as much. It goes down with exercise.

 

[Lintel]

He is 15- turned out full time as he has RAO (which is thankfully well controlled at present) but he moves as little as he can! Always been a lazy lad! I've ridden and buted this morning and will give it till later in the afternoon to see some improvement hopefully! Then will phone vets
Thank you all!

 

[Sprogladite01]

Think you are doing the right thing getting the vet involved. Swollen sheath was one of the first signs (along with excessive drinking, and later swelling in his stomach and face) when my boy went into kidney failure, which we lost him to i hope it's something minor and easily fixable for you!