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Post by charliefar on Mar 20, 2013 20:49:22 GMT -1
I've owned a number of geldings over the years and not one of them has ever had such a dirty sheath as Alfie.  Its often waxy and smelly (nothing too unusual tho) and its a normal colour not infected or anything . I'm cleaning it more often than not...should I be worried as its an underlying symptom of something sinister or is it just something he has and nothing to worry about. Thoughts appreciated please... |
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Post by zeldalithgow on Mar 20, 2013 21:27:54 GMT -1
Could it be that you are cleaning it too often or using too strong a sheath cleaner therefore upsetting the natural balance. Maybe just a quick wipe with some warm water rather than a full clean  |
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Post by flintfootfilly on Mar 20, 2013 21:40:05 GMT -1
There are anecdotal reports of PPID (Cushing's) ponies producing more smegma than other ponies. I don't know how old Alfie is, but if he's 12 years or over I'd definitely have him tested for Cushing's, and if he's under 12 I'd at least weigh up any other possible signs.
I don't know whether there are other possible causes, so will be interested to read what others suggest.
Sarah
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Post by zeldalithgow on Mar 20, 2013 22:00:50 GMT -1
Oh I didn't know that Sarah, Prince was quite mucky laterly and vet thinks it was Cushings that brought on the laminitis that we lost him to
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Post by valerie n scout on Mar 20, 2013 23:54:20 GMT -1
Scout's always had a smelly one, he's very private too x
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Post by harveydales on Mar 21, 2013 5:57:16 GMT -1
Funny you should post this because I was just saying the same thing about Harvey to a friend the other day. He produces loads of the gunky stuff and always has (have owned him 11 years). None of my other geldings have ever been that bad, Dales or non-Dales. I think it is just normal for him. I do clean him more regularly than most but if I didn't it would attract flies in the summer and in winter if I forget it must irritate him because he stamps his feet until I've cleaned him.
Sarah - I didn't know about the Cushings thing. Both Winnie and Quest had Cushings in their later years but neither produced as much smegma a Harvey.
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Post by Fi on Mar 21, 2013 20:50:41 GMT -1
There are anecdotal reports of PPID (Cushing's) ponies producing more smegma than other ponies. That's definitely true for us!!! Sam's is really yucky, noticeably more since the Cushings. I try not to clean it too often though, he's really not fond of the process (and neither am I). It seems to get to a certain level and stay there, rather than getting worse and worse. |
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Post by charliefar on Mar 31, 2013 12:21:57 GMT -1
Thanks I'm glad the not the only one and interesting about the link with cushings. He's only 6 so hopefully that's a way off but something to be mindful of. I clean roughly every 6/8 weeks as he's good and doesn't mind. Just hope its not made worse by the flies in summer (if we get one)
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