The last two days around here have been, if nothing else, a learning experience. Our neighbors have a very pretty Paint gelding, and he’s been sick for a little over a month. They came to us about a week ago for the first time for some help. Being first time horse owners, I am sure that they thought they were doing everything
they could for this horse. But, their lack of knowledge only worsened the situation. Or maybe they were just trying to save on bills and hoping they could pull the horse through on their own. Either way, I wish they had come to us sooner.
Their horse, Buckshot, had gone off feed for a while, and lost a LOT of weight. How long he was off feed, I really don’t know, but long enough to drop down to nothing but bones. When they came to us last week, I gave them some Fastrack® Equine Gel. At this point, all we knew was that the horse had been off feed for a while. I advised them to get some weight builder, which they had already done, and some Fastrack® Microbials. I was even willing to give him some of ours.
We had not heard from them for a few days, when we get a phone call from them. “We aren’t sure what is going on, but we this know isn’t right, can you come up and take a look”? Nathan said he would be right there, and I knew from the tone of his voice that something was wrong. So, I quickly get changed into some barn clothes and went with him.
I had never seen what I saw that day, and hope I never see it again! Buckshot’s penis was hanging down, swollen, black, and busting open in areas. He was at his hay pile, eating away, which was great! Awesome, he’s eating, but he was nothing but bones, I didn’t like the way he looked at all.
I had no idea what was going on with him, so I advised we call our vet and get him out. They agree, and the call is made. It’s really hard to be patient for a vet to call you back on Sunday’s when you can obviously see that the horse was not doing well. Alex was having a busy day, and he did get out within a couple of hours.
As we are waiting for the vet, more information comes to light. Chelle had told Allen a week before that Buckshot was not retracting his penis like he should. I don’t know if Allen just did not want to pay attention, or if he thought it might be normal. We also learned that Buckshot started eating again when he was given the Fastrack® Equine Gel. Although he was still losing weight. I also noticed that his
hind hocks where swollen, the leg looked to straight. We figured this to be from his “other problem”.
Alex arrives and has a look, Nathan is talking to him, trying, like me, to understand what happened to the horse and how he got in this shape. Alex explains to Allen that he is going to put the penis back in it’s home, and put what calls a “purse string stitch” in to hod the penis up, but still allowing
Buckshot to relieve himself.
Alex goes on to explain that the swelling, blackness and blister – like sores are caused by the penis not retracting all the way. This can happen when the horse urinates, or has one of his “manly” moments (even though he is gelded). The longer the penis hangs, the more swollen it gets (it’s a gravity thing). And the more it hangs, the more it dries out, which causes the skin to break. It can also occur if there has been tissue damage done to the area by a kicking mare, or when playing.
Alex takes some blood work, gives a shot of B vitamins, and tells Allen to keep an eye on the horse to make sure he keeps eating. He should have the blood results back by Tuesday and will let him know what needs to be done then.
Thanks for sharing