My yearling recently castrated developed proud flesh from the incesion on his right side. It is quite big 3-4" long and about 2" in diameter. My vet has used wonderdust and peeled it 3 times. He now advises that I take him to the hospital to have it surgically removed. Has anyone every had this happen? How did you heal it? If I try an alternative treatment to surgery what are the risks if any? A few people have mentioned that with fly season just beginning that maybe surgery is the best way to go. However I feel that taking him from his mom and friends is too traumatic and would rather try maybe Schreiners herbal product that I read about or does anyone have any other suggestions? As he is boarded, a daily treatment is difficult as I cannot get out there everyday and the facility is a self boarding arrangement. I would appreciate any help on this. Halemary.

I would suggest a product called Derma-Gel.  Schreiners is also a great product.  Either way, what ever you do you are going to need to do at least 2 times a day.  3 would be better. 

Considering the location, I'd seriously consider letting the vet clinic handle it.  If there's that much granulation tissue visible, there might be some internally as well.  I wouldn't risk a potential problem.  Just MHO.

Wow, I've never heard of that! (of course I've only had two gelded before, the rest came gelded or are yet to be....). I agree, if you can't get out there often enough, probably best to have the vet take care of it! Good luck!

Jessi

Hmmm, never really had one or heard of one gettting proudflesh from castration. Poor guy. At this point, if he's REALLY got proudflesh in that area, I'd consider being hauled away from the other horses the lesser of two evils. It's an unusual reaction to a common prodcedure, and he'll have to be alone at some point in his life anyways.

Personally, we always cut them in the fall if possible when flies were dying out, and we exercised them mildly, everyday afterwards. It would make them bleed sometimes, but helped to keep it from swelling as bad and drained the area, since it's not a place you easily treat. I noticed each horse is individual, some swell more than others for longer and some scab over more dramatically, but in the end, never did see one have any proudflesh. We didn't even apply anything to the area. (this was at a QH ranch that had several to do at once and were in groups that were weaned together or yearlings-they usually weren't gentle enough to attempt applying salve to that area anyways) we just made sure they had a manure picked out fo the pen. My personal horses I've had gelded, we did a couple in the spring, and they swelled a little more, but there were more flies...

Sorry, I digress...pregnancy brain, I guess. Try the herbal stuff for a few days, or leave it alone and exercise him-walk/trot to get the area to drain...if it's not getting any better, take him in for surgery.