Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Penis Dropped, Will Not Retract, or Persistent Erection
Summary
Intact and normal nerve and penile muscle function must exist for the penis to properly retract.
The most common cause of being incapable of penis retraction (over hours to days) is a rare reaction to acepromazine ("ace") tranquilizer. This condition may also be caused by traumatic injury to the penis or sheath, damage to the nerves that are responsible for retracting the penis, and a variety of rare neuromuscular diseases.
Horses with systemic illnesses or who are in abdominal pain (colic) will often drop their penis during the illness or episode. In these cases, this condition resolves when the abdominal pain goes away. Sedation with a variety of drugs causes temporary dropping of the penis.
Whatever the cause, it is critical that horses with this problem are treated promptly. The longer the penis is left dropped, the more swelling and further damage occurs. If caught early, the problem is more likely to be resolved.
The most common cause of being incapable of penis retraction (over hours to days) is a rare reaction to acepromazine ("ace") tranquilizer. This condition may also be caused by traumatic injury to the penis or sheath, damage to the nerves that are responsible for retracting the penis, and a variety of rare neuromuscular diseases.
Horses with systemic illnesses or who are in abdominal pain (colic) will often drop their penis during the illness or episode. In these cases, this condition resolves when the abdominal pain goes away. Sedation with a variety of drugs causes temporary dropping of the penis.
Whatever the cause, it is critical that horses with this problem are treated promptly. The longer the penis is left dropped, the more swelling and further damage occurs. If caught early, the problem is more likely to be resolved.
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Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours- If this condition lasts for more than several hours.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) and share your findings and concerns with your vet, who will try to identify the underlying cause of this condition. Depending on the cause, some horses will recover function while others do not.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
It is very important that conditions causing this observation are treated immediately by your vet. If the penis stays extended for long periods, it becomes swollen, painful, inflamed and more difficult to retract. Your vet considers the cause and provides nursing care and a treatment plan to maximize the likelihood of return to function.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Max Test Question?
- Is the horse a stallion or a gelding?
- Max Test Question?
- Is the penis erect or flaccid?
- Max Test Question?
- How long have you noticed this?
- Vet Question Max Test
- What medication did you give, how much, and by what route?
- Have you given the horse any medications?
- Do you notice swelling in the area?
- Has the horse been bred recently?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- Max
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Rare
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
