Swollen sheath?

[sparkygrace]

About four days ago, my gelding developed a swollen sheath. It was major bug attack as there were crusty sores on the inside of his hind legs and umbilical area. I cleaned him up and slathered SWAT and fly spray on the area. The sheath is still swollen although there are no new bug bites.

The vet asked me to send a photo last week; I did and they never got back to me. This is a first for me. Anyone else have this problem, a diagnosis, or advice? The vet will be closed until Tuesday, so there will be no help there.

[LCDR]

Is he peeing okay?

[sparkygrace]

Yes, he is peeing fine and it’s not impeding his penis.

[SMF11]

Probably not applicable, but one of the horses here would get a swollen sheath if SWAT was applied. Took me doing it a few times before I figured it out. This same horse, as he aged, would get a swollen sheath in the winter, due to not moving around much (he was in his 30’s). Also probably not applicable, but I pass it along in case it helps.

[LCDR]

In that case, i would just treat it with “tincture of time,” just based on my experience with my own geldings over the years.

Let him keep moving around, try to keep the area protected from more bites like you are doing, and let nature take its course.

You could consider a oral systemic anti-inflammatory, like Equioxx, for a few days as well. It might help a bit,

[sparkygrace]

Thanks, I have read about older horses having issues in the winter. He is seven. I have used SWAT on him before with no problems. The swelling happened overnight, which was so odd.

[sparkygrace]

I do have some EQUIOXX somewhere. Thanks for the advice!

[Bluey]

Our older teenage cushinoid horse would get a swollen sheath when his Prascend needed an uptick.
After a few weeks on a higher dose, it would go down and we could go back to the old dose for several months.

Also not applicable, since you know is bug bites this time around, but may help another time, another horse, to know that may also happen.

[sparkygrace]

Thanks, I have seen it on Cushings horses. My horse is a little chubby this time of year due to spring grass, but that’s not uncommon.

[OzarksRider]

Years ago my horse was overweight and had a laminitis attack from spring grass. One thing I noticed before the laminitis was that he had a swollen sheath. He lost the weight and it’s never happened again. He does not have Cushings. Your horse’s swollen sheath may indeed be due to bugs, or it might be a warning. Wouldn’t hurt to keep a close eye on him.

[luvmyhackney]

Get him on an antihistamine to help with swelling.

Keep an eye on it due to Cushings/sugar levels.

[sparkygrace]

Thanks! I have reduced his pasture time. He has a big sand paddock to lounge in. He’s not happy, but too bad.

He had signs of laminitis last spring, but it was EPM. (His blood levels were perfect.) However, my older GRP did become laminitic on spring grass and had some rotation in his feet. He recovered quickly and has stayed sound.

[Bluey]

Swollen sheath is from fluids accumulating on the lowest spot, so it can happen for several reasons.
Very wormy horses used to have abdominal midline and/or sheath swelling.
Horses today are not as wormy as they used to be long ago, so is not as common.

[sparkygrace]

Your right, that isn’t a problem these days. When i called the vet, the receptionist did tell me a few other people had called about the same problem. I will call the vet again on Tuesday. They’ve been here often in the last few months and the farm call charge is outrageous. I hope they can at least let me know if it is serious enough for a visit.

[endlessclimb]

I’d make sure to keep him moving, help the lymphatic system do its job. Doesn’t have to be hard work, but movement should help reduce the swelling.

[Against_All_Odds2]

My guy gets swollen when he has a dirty sheath. Has he been cleaned recently?

[sparkygrace]

Good advice. I had a nice ride today and he is turned out on pasture or a large paddock all day.

[sparkygrace]

His sheath was cleaned in late January. He doesn’t get very dirty. When he dropped today, I didn’t see any gunk.

[Laurierace]

Did you take his temp? A swollen sheath is often a sign of a virus

[bingbingbing]

I am assuming you are not in Cali.
I have a mare that gets crusty and swollen on her belly from bugs. Once or twice a day I will gently rub the crusty parts with a soft towel. I will hose and dry if it’s really dirty/crusty. Then I apply Horseman’s Dream Veterinary Cream on the crusty part and put swat around it. There may be an ointment that works better, but this has worked well for me.