Swollen Sheath

Sophie · 08-27-2008, 10:05 PM

Before I start I would just like to say that though I dont really ever post anything I have spent alot of time reading threads and have learned alot from all you knowledgeable horse lovers

So anyway I noticed the other day that my geldings sheath was squeaky and dirty. I cleaned it using excaliber, rinsed really well, was dirty but no bean. The next day I noticed it was slightly swollen, i rinsed again just incase i missed some suds. Swelling went away, a few days later the swelling is back, his actual sheath isnt really swollen just around the opening on the belly. It isnt warm and he doesnt seem to mind when I press on it. He's peeing normally and I've inspected him up and down and cant see anything wrong. I'm thinking maybe a bug bite? I've also heard that swelling is common in older geldings. If the swelling isnt gone tomorrow night I will be calling the vet. But any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

thumpersgirl · 08-27-2008, 10:17 PM

My best guess would be either a bug bite (as you said) or a reaction to the cleaner or gloves that used when cleaning. I agree though, if not cleared up soon a call to the vet would be good.

barnbum2106 · 08-27-2008, 10:22 PM

I've never had a problem with excalibur on my young and old geldings and stallions.

If it is the actual penis that is swollen you might have a penial hemotoma (sp). But your saying the actual sheath area. hmm...

I know an older gelding (22 ish) that his sheath looks like it is swollen all the time. But he is perfectly fine.

fishing_trex · 08-28-2008, 08:46 AM

I had an older gelding with that problem all the time -- he tended to be very dirty and it caused irritation. I was using Excaliber and he had a reaction to it...after I had used it on him for a year. So I switched to KY jelly.

Summer was the worst because the flies would bite him around his sheath and he would swell even more. And yes, my vet told me as geldings get older, many of them get what she calls "old man sheath", losing tone and often having slight swelling. But a call to your vet can't hurt, especially if it's something you've not seen before and it's lasted more than a couple days.

A J · 08-28-2008, 09:15 AM

I agree that a call to your vet just to make sure is a good idea. That being said, my older gelding, and another older gelding at our barn both tended to get swollen. My old guy mostly got it if he was getting dirty, so a cleaning usually took care of the problem, but it sometimes took a couple days to go back to normal.

The other gelding at our barn gets it if he's left in his stall/paddock and not turned out and gotten moving. I don't know if he's cleaned like he should be (assuming he is), but he will actually get pretty darn large if he's cooped up for too many days in a row. He's old, so doesn't move much on his own.

FehrGroundRanch · 08-28-2008, 11:19 AM

I would say that more than likily it's a bug bit.

DoBeSassy · 08-28-2008, 11:22 AM

We had a gelding that went anemic and his sheath was swollen. Not sure if it common or not, but I would have a vet check it out just incase.

Did you happen to worm him the same day? That's how I ended up making ours go anemic. He hadn't been wormed in a long time(I'm not sure as I wasn't taking care of him then). I was asked to worm him so I did with Quest, and it got rid of too many all at once.

Sophie · 08-28-2008, 12:23 PM

I've used excaliber on him before and he's never reacted. I also just started him on respaease or something like that I cant remember the exact name, it's a product for his cough. Could it be an allergic reaction to that?

prancingpony · 08-28-2008, 12:39 PM

My sister's gelding swells up when there is a big switch in weather. Usually Spring and Fall. It's just normal for him.

PeggySue · 08-28-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prancingpony

My sister's gelding swells up when there is a big switch in weather. Usually Spring and Fall. It's just normal for him.

This is a sign of IR if you put him on Mag/Ox it will go away

and remove all corn and oats from his diet

prancingpony · 08-28-2008, 03:38 PM

[QUOTEThis is a sign of IR if you put him on Mag/Ox it will go away and remove all corn and oats from his diet][/quote]

Cool-Thanks--I'll pass on the info to her!!

Carri · 08-28-2008, 04:43 PM

My gelding also does that if he does not get to move around much. Hand walking him helps it go down. I would just watch it for a couple of days, and if it doesn't go down, or gets at all worse, get the vet out.

Sophie · 08-28-2008, 07:44 PM

I just got back from the barn and the swelling has gone down, not all the way but enough to make me less worried. I'm goin to wait till morning and if theres no more improvement I will be calling the vet just to make sure everythings ok. Thanks for all the advise

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08-27-2008, 10:05 PM
Sophie Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 10	Swollen Sheath Before I start I would just like to say that though I dont really ever post anything I have spent alot of time reading threads and have learned alot from all you knowledgeable horse lovers So anyway I noticed the other day that my geldings sheath was squeaky and dirty. I cleaned it using excaliber, rinsed really well, was dirty but no bean. The next day I noticed it was slightly swollen, i rinsed again just incase i missed some suds. Swelling went away, a few days later the swelling is back, his actual sheath isnt really swollen just around the opening on the belly. It isnt warm and he doesnt seem to mind when I press on it. He's peeing normally and I've inspected him up and down and cant see anything wrong. I'm thinking maybe a bug bite? I've also heard that swelling is common in older geldings. If the swelling isnt gone tomorrow night I will be calling the vet. But any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

08-27-2008, 10:17 PM
thumpersgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,380	My best guess would be either a bug bite (as you said) or a reaction to the cleaner or gloves that used when cleaning. I agree though, if not cleared up soon a call to the vet would be good. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies; they're good for nothing, but make you smile when you push them down a long flight of stairs.

08-27-2008, 10:22 PM
barnbum2106 Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 261	I've never had a problem with excalibur on my young and old geldings and stallions. If it is the actual penis that is swollen you might have a penial hemotoma (sp). But your saying the actual sheath area. hmm... I know an older gelding (22 ish) that his sheath looks like it is swollen all the time. But he is perfectly fine. __________________ Owned by: Bailey, Bo, Lucy, & Hoosier

08-28-2008, 08:46 AM
fishing_trex Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,302	I had an older gelding with that problem all the time -- he tended to be very dirty and it caused irritation. I was using Excaliber and he had a reaction to it...after I had used it on him for a year. So I switched to KY jelly. Summer was the worst because the flies would bite him around his sheath and he would swell even more. And yes, my vet told me as geldings get older, many of them get what she calls "old man sheath", losing tone and often having slight swelling. But a call to your vet can't hurt, especially if it's something you've not seen before and it's lasted more than a couple days. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

08-28-2008, 09:15 AM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,318	I agree that a call to your vet just to make sure is a good idea. That being said, my older gelding, and another older gelding at our barn both tended to get swollen. My old guy mostly got it if he was getting dirty, so a cleaning usually took care of the problem, but it sometimes took a couple days to go back to normal. The other gelding at our barn gets it if he's left in his stall/paddock and not turned out and gotten moving. I don't know if he's cleaned like he should be (assuming he is), but he will actually get pretty darn large if he's cooped up for too many days in a row. He's old, so doesn't move much on his own. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

08-28-2008, 11:19 AM
FehrGroundRanch Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sundre, Alberta, Canda Posts: 26	I would say that more than likily it's a bug bit.

08-28-2008, 11:22 AM
DoBeSassy Seasoned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 4,927	We had a gelding that went anemic and his sheath was swollen. Not sure if it common or not, but I would have a vet check it out just incase. Did you happen to worm him the same day? That's how I ended up making ours go anemic. He hadn't been wormed in a long time(I'm not sure as I wasn't taking care of him then). I was asked to worm him so I did with Quest, and it got rid of too many all at once. __________________ There is none so blind as she who will not see Last edited by DoBeSassy : 08-28-2008 at 11:24 AM.

08-28-2008, 12:23 PM
Sophie Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 10	I've used excaliber on him before and he's never reacted. I also just started him on respaease or something like that I cant remember the exact name, it's a product for his cough. Could it be an allergic reaction to that?

08-28-2008, 12:39 PM
prancingpony Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,425	My sister's gelding swells up when there is a big switch in weather. Usually Spring and Fall. It's just normal for him. __________________ Breeder of fine Gypsy Sport Horses http://www.freewebs.com/faewillow/ Equine Gifts at http://www.cafepress.com/faewillow

08-28-2008, 03:38 PM
prancingpony Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,425	[QUOTEThis is a sign of IR if you put him on Mag/Ox it will go away and remove all corn and oats from his diet][/quote] Cool-Thanks--I'll pass on the info to her!! __________________ Breeder of fine Gypsy Sport Horses http://www.freewebs.com/faewillow/ Equine Gifts at http://www.cafepress.com/faewillow

08-28-2008, 04:43 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,980	My gelding also does that if he does not get to move around much. Hand walking him helps it go down. I would just watch it for a couple of days, and if it doesn't go down, or gets at all worse, get the vet out. __________________

08-28-2008, 07:44 PM
Sophie Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 10	I just got back from the barn and the swelling has gone down, not all the way but enough to make me less worried. I'm goin to wait till morning and if theres no more improvement I will be calling the vet just to make sure everythings ok. Thanks for all the advise