Swollen sheath

[hihosilver]

My friends pony has come in with a huge sheath. He's passing urine fine. This happened last year and he was treated with steroids. They didn't do much. It just took time to go down. Is it worth getting the vet?

 

[Goldenstar]

Yes it's worth getting the vet .

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My friends pony has come in with a huge sheath. He's passing urine fine. This happened last year and he was treated with steroids. They didn't do much. It just took time to go down. Is it worth getting the vet?

The most common reason a gelding's sheath is swollen is that it is dirty AND there is a bean in the 'blind pocket' of his penis. The beans can get quite large, and even impede the urine flow to the point of being dangerous. It can also be fat deposits, and also infection setting in. I would call your vet and get them to sedate him as it might need cleaning or antibiotics. Your don't want to leave it swollen for long without knowing the cause and in this heat.

The sheath can also swell with congestive heart failure or renal disease so your vet may need to do some blood work and perform a cardiac exam

 

[Coblover63]

My boy developed an intolerance to his own smegma and had to have a transplant with stallion broth. That was a vet jobby. Huge sheath but fine in himself.

 

[kathantoinette]

Just a suggestion to add - is the horse getting exercised? I have one prone to this if he doesn't get ridden enough.

 

[LadySam]

My boy developed an intolerance to his own smegma and had to have a transplant with stallion broth. That was a vet jobby. Huge sheath but fine in himself.

Could you please explain this a bit further? Transplanted to what, specifically?

 

[ticobay831]

my lad suffers with this and has done for a few years now, had vet out and said it was the heat and he needs to move around more, just a build up of fluid that isn't draining properly and goes to the lowest point. It can coincides with him slipping in the field and having a hooley, my osteopath has treated him a few times and drains it with manipulation this has helped loads.. I usually hose it off with cold water and gently massage it, i used to get a few funny looks, but hay if it works lol and it does. I also pick him loads of cleaver from the hedge rows, they are great for fluid retention, he loves them and i have noticed a big difference since hes been on them..

 

[1life]

Another theory - this has happened to 2 geldings that I know of, when the biting flies start appearing. On both occasions the vet has recommended Piriton tablets and within 2 days the swelling has reduced.
Best to book a vet consultation to find the answer as it seems there could be a few.

 

[Kezzabell2]

At this time I would say its probably because of the flies, he's probably kicked it hard or got bitten!! I'd see what it is like tomorrow!

This happened to my horse a couple of weeks ago but it was down the next day!

It was also mentioned to me that they can get a swelling if they've gone done enough exercise! but I'm not convinced about that!! both times its happened its always gone down the next day and he's always been in the same level of work!

 

[soloequestrian]

I'd try cleaning it first. This happened to my older boy ages ago - at the time he had to be sedated to be cleaned so I hadn't done it before. When I did the clean I was surprised how little muck came out and what a difference it made to him. I've since trained him to accept cleaning and do it regularly and have never had the problem again. He does have cushings and I suspect the reaction started when the disease process did, so it might be worth having a test done.

 

[stencilface]

Depends on the swelling but my boys swells if he has too much rich grass I've noticed and gets grumpy if you touch him on his flanks. It goes if he's taken off the grass and never happens in winter so I can only think they're linked.

 

[MrsNorris]

Can be a sign of EMS, is he on lots of grass?