Re: Sheath Swelling

["Jerry & Mary Fields" <fields@mesh.net>]

>I have a 11 yr. 1/2 Arab gelding that has developed a problem with sheath
>swelling.  The vets in my area feel that it is due to a circulatory problem
>brought on by the lack of winter riding.  We have done extensive antibiotic
>treatments and sheath cleanings.  In mid-September, I basically stopped
>conditioning and was pleasure trailriding until late November.  This
condition
>showed up mid-November.  There is no swelling in the back legs or anywhere
>else.  Has anyone else had a problem similar to this?  My vet feels the
>swelling has went down enough to prevent tissue damage until we can get
back
>to spring and consistent excersie to determine if it really is a
circulatory
>problem.  I would be interested in hearing other situations like this.
>
My gelding has had swelling on several occasions when he "had a bean", as my
vet put it. It was an accumulation of smegma within the sheath which impeded
urination. He could not drop to urinate, just splooshed it out in spurts.
But surely your vet would have discovered a bean??? Once the bean was
removed, all was well. (I have since learned to remove it myself.)
Mary