Hello!
You are all so very helpful, and once again I turn to the forum for advice. So, thanks, in advance.

I have a 20 something gelding who has struggled with some wheezing & tail rubbing this summer. In August a course of prednisolone (sp?...its a steroid)plus Ventipulmin (a brochio dialator) worked perfectly--by day 5 his breathing was normal. At that time (before the meds) I did see some swelling of his sheath. After the meds it *seemed* to reduce a bit, though I still thought it was larger than normal.

It was not dirty, though I did clean it with KY, same as I always do. It didn't seem to bother him at all.

Now, for the past week it is HUGE!! The skin is practically tight. Again, it is NOT dirty...he let me in there and I really gave it a good cleaning, no bean at all & I'm sure I was in the right place.

Put him back on the same meds (as per phone call with vet), but after 3 days I'm seeing no reduction in swelling. Perhaps I need to give it a few more days? His breathing is better, though that could be change in weather. Again, it doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. He is rubbing his tail, though, and has all summer long.

Any one got any suggestions that I could research while I'm waiting for the meds to kick in? Yes, sounds like I'll need to get the vet back out, but I like to try to be educated when ever possible!

Thanks again--you guys are great!

melissa

i think the vet needs to come out. that is not normal and there may be something she/he can see that we would not. good luck.

My BO's one horse has an enlarged sheath. We always thought that maybe he was gelding late or he was "gifted" (of course that was always said with a snicker) but we then learned that it was a result of his cushings. He's on medication but his sheath is still pretty big. The skin isnt tight, but it is much larger than a normal horse. Cushings could be a possiblity to look into.

You need to call a vet!! It could be a urinary tract infection! Yes horses can get those to!!

The only time one of our geldings had a swollen sheath was when we were using sawdust bedding. Wings loves to roll, and he got some of those fine pieces up into his sheath, causing an infection. Had the vet out to clean Wings (he was so swollen his skin was tight also), and he was put on antibiotics. Wings sheath was hot and terribly itchy

Come to think of it, we did bring my friends gelding over last winter (my poor friend was in Hawaii ) because of a swollen sheath. I cleaned it the best I could (he wasn't happy about that at all!), and put him on antibiotics too. Both boys cleared up just fine. Maybe your boy just needs a round of antibiotics?

Karen

Reaction to the meds?
Infected bug bite?

Sheath infection or possibly a heart problem. Any of his legs swollen?

I had the exact same problem with my fourteen year old gelding last spring. His sheath was so swollen it looked like it might pop. I am just getting back into horses after 25 years, so I had no idea what to do. I cleaned him and he wasn't particularly dirty so I called the vet. He told me that it was most likely due to migrating worm larva and to give him a dose of Quest gel, within a couple of days the swelling was gone. I had him on a rotational worming schedule but it did not include Quest. I don't know if this occurs at other times of the year but it may be something to look in to. Good-luck.