Following Dr Kieran O’Brien’s excellent webinar: Willy or Won’t He? Equine Sheath and Other Problems, we bring you this simple guide to spotting sheath problems in your male horse.
What can cause a swollen sheath?
A horse’s sheath can become swollen for a variety of reasons:
- Immobilisation/Box rest (mild, painless swelling, no discharge)
- Obesity (fat accumulation in the region)
- Trauma/surgery (kick/wound to the region)
- Fly bite
- Inflamed sheath/infection
- Cancer of the sheath or penis
- Low plasma protein (horses with diarrhoea/liver disease)
- During the week after castration
- Over cleaning
When should I call the vet?
If your horse has:
- Obvious discharge (liquid/pus-like) and/or odour
- Unexplained sheath swelling
- Urinating through the sheath without extending his penis
- Interference with urination
- Frequency (more often)
- Stance (straining)
- Discomfort
- Abnormal urine stream (spray rather than jet or interrupted)
- Visible abnormalities on the penis (cancer of the skin)
- Zones of unusual colour
How can I spot a sheath infection?
Your horse’s sheath will have:
- Discharge (mucky, pus)
- Smell
- Enlargement (often)
You MUST NOT ignore the symptoms of a sheath infection. Your horse will require a veterinary examination with full penis relaxation.
This examination will include checking for cancer of the penis and the sheath.
Also, the cause of the infection must be understood to avoid any recurrence, especially if the horse hasn’t had any sheath cleaning.
What’s the treatment?
If your horse has a sheath infection, he will be treated with:
- Sedation (using Acepromazine in order to see the lining of the sheath, and take swabs, photos, biopsies)
- Cleaning and irrigation
- Topical antibiotics
- Re-seeding with normal microbial population
Watch Dr Kieran’s webinar for guidance on the other sheath-related issues, including: cancer, sarcoids, parasites, plus further information on smeg, smegma, and beans, as well as sheath problems post-castration, and an explanation of the anatomy of a horse’s penis and sheath.
Read our guide on How to Clean your Equine’s Sheath here:
And, as always, please speak with your vet for further guidance.
