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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
 
Location: MN | Its been 2.5 weeks since my 5 month old colt was gelded. Monday night, he came up pretty swollen but it was still draining. I contacted 3 different vets and they all just said to make sure he was more active. Hes not running a temp, his appetite is great, his spirits were high. So last night, I rode my horse around the pasture a few times and of course my colt followed along. All in all, about 15-20 min worth of moving. Doing baby stuff like bucking, kicking, rearing...etc. Swelling was down when he came in to eat last night. This morning, he was sore, stiff and it is still swollen. Im hoping it was more from all of the baby stuff he was doing yesterday and it just made that area more sore. I'll see if I can get a pic to load.
What would you do? None of the 3 vets suggested an antibiotic but I feel he may need one. One did say I could cold hose it. Or do I just stick with what they said and make sure he gets a good 15-20 mins of solid movement for a few more days. How long does it usually take for the incision to heal?
Edited by Kay-DRacing. 2017-10-11 2:55 PM
 (Wilson.jpg)
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| I'd ask for an antibiotic, but I have lost one after being gelded - I am very very cautious since. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | WrapN3MN - 2017-10-11 12:52 PM I'd ask for an antibiotic, but I have lost one after being gelded - I am very very cautious since.
That scares me. Was it from infection? Im sorry you lost him  |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
 
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I'll be honest we never have had one swell if it wasn't stalled. We get them home and leave them in the corral (pretty good sized) and about a week later kick them into a 800 acre pasture for the spring. We geld ours as coming yearlings but that shouldn't matter I wouldn't think.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | wyoming barrel racer - 2017-10-11 1:24 PM I'll be honest we never have had one swell if it wasn't stalled. We get them home and leave them in the corral (pretty good sized) and about a week later kick them into a 800 acre pasture for the spring. We geld ours as coming yearlings but that shouldn't matter I wouldn't think.
I have been keeping him up at night for pure state of mind due to the coyotes being very bad in my neck of the woods. Im not sure what to do  |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Id have the vet out and/or call him to get meds. I have never had one (gelded 5) stay swollen like you are describing. |
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| I had an older colt that swelled for about 3 weeks after he was gelded. Was in a small paddock, lunged once or twice a day. Stayed opened, was draining, no signs of infection. Eventually the edema went down. Hopefully that's all it is with your boy. If he is draining, isn't pussy, and is eating well and acting normal I wouldn't be too stressed out. |
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Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Is his sheath swollen or where his "boys" used to be? If it is the sheath, exercise should do the trick. If it is further back could be that area healed shut on the outside before the inside drained and healed, causing a pocket of sorts. Might need opened up by the vet. I just don't mess with that kind of thing for too long, might be best to have a vet check him out just in case. |
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Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Kay-DRacing. - 2017-10-11 12:42 PM wyoming barrel racer - 2017-10-11 1:24 PM I'll be honest we never have had one swell if it wasn't stalled. We get them home and leave them in the corral (pretty good sized) and about a week later kick them into a 800 acre pasture for the spring. We geld ours as coming yearlings but that shouldn't matter I wouldn't think.
I have been keeping him up at night for pure state of mind due to the coyotes being very bad in my neck of the woods. Im not sure what to do
I understand, we have a ton of coyotes but I have never heard of one messing with horses. So is the swelling down by later in the day when he is turned out? Just swollen in the morning after being kept in? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | Thanks for all of the replies! Sorry, I cant get the pic to load.
The swelling is more in the beginning of the sheath and not where the incision is but it does seem to be better when I bring them up at night. BUT - the night that I noticed it being that swollen; he had been out all day. Im just wondering if he is standing around eating at the round bale for too long?! Such a little piglet. He also lays down a lot but then again, hes a baby.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | Meep.Meep - 2017-10-11 1:53 PM I had an older colt that swelled for about 3 weeks after he was gelded. Was in a small paddock, lunged once or twice a day. Stayed opened, was draining, no signs of infection. Eventually the edema went down. Hopefully that's all it is with your boy. If he is draining, isn't pussy, and is eating well and acting normal I wouldn't be too stressed out.
I pray this is all that is going on too. Its stressing me out though. Ill try to get the pic loaded!
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 Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | If he doesn't have a fever he doesn't needs meds, he's not getting enough exercise. Turn him out and let him be a horse, just keep an eye out for infection. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | wyoming barrel racer - 2017-10-11 1:58 PM Kay-DRacing. - 2017-10-11 12:42 PM wyoming barrel racer - 2017-10-11 1:24 PM I'll be honest we never have had one swell if it wasn't stalled. We get them home and leave them in the corral (pretty good sized) and about a week later kick them into a 800 acre pasture for the spring. We geld ours as coming yearlings but that shouldn't matter I wouldn't think.
I have been keeping him up at night for pure state of mind due to the coyotes being very bad in my neck of the woods. Im not sure what to do
I have heard quite a few horror stories when I moved to MN of coyotes attacking horses. They just freak me out because they are always so close to our house howling everynight. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | He has been consistantly at 101.5 although last night he was at 102.5 which I read is considered "normal" for a foal at his age. But it was back down to 101 this morning.
Foals under 3-6 months of age, especially newborns, have a higher normal temperature range than adults, 100-102.5 degrees is considered normal
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | As long as the swelling is in the front of the sheath and not towards the incision, he is fine. Cold hose works wonders as well as putting them out.
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| swelling looks like mine did |
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Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | He's fine. He just needs a cold hose and more exercise. If you are unsure still, send the picture to your vet. Mine does texts. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | I sent the pics to 3 different vets last night. Thankfully they all got back to me fairly quickly to tell me he needs more exercise. I think I'm just over thinking it all! Poor guy was so stiff this morning and it broke my heart but he sure had fun bucking, kicking, and farting yesterday during his "exercise"  |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | If he were mine I would cold hose.and more exercise.like above poster stated cold hosing will do wonders for him |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | Thank you all! After some exercise tonight, cold hosing it is! |
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