Discussion on Build up of substance around penis in Shetland Pony
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January Scott
New Member
Username: jxs999
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2009
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 24, 2009 - 6:14 am: |   |
Dear Dr O, I have a 16 year old Shetland gelding, Arnie. When I purchased him a couple of years ago I noticed, when I had got him home, that when he lowered his penis to urinate the last 3 or 4 inches of his penis appeared to be a funny shape. On closer inspection there was a massive build up of a substance totally encircling this part of his penis. I soaked it in masses of oil and was eventually able to crack the build up which then came away in two halves. It was at least half an inch think and two inches wide and as solid as a plaster cast! Now, if I leave cleaning his penis for more than about two months (he isn't always keen on the idea) the build up comes away in large pieces which have started to form this solid mass around his penis again. He also urinates quite a lot although my vet says blood tests indicate no problems. I take three times as much wet bedding from his stable each day as I do from his friend who is 3 times the size. What is this build up and why is it so bad? Might it be caused by some mineral imbalance in his diet? Best Regards January |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 23476
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 24, 2009 - 8:25 am: | |
Welcome January,
If the skin under the exudate is normal most likely your pony forms a drier somewhat tougher exudate than other horses you have had. Some have found a weekly light flush with an ounce or two of light mineral oil using a large syringe that can be introduced deep into the prepuce helps soften such secretions.
As to the urination it may well be your pony sees the stall as a good place to pee while your other horses try to avoid it. If you truly think there may be a problem that is not showing up in the blood work, a possibility, you should get a urinalysis with specific gravity to see if the pony is concentrating his urine. For more on this see the article that is associated with this discussion by using the navigation bar at the top of the page to back up one link.
DrO |
