Remedy for a Chafed Penis?

A new gelding’s problematic penis needs a vet’s attention and gentle cleansing.

QMy 18-year-old gelding was only recently castrated, and when I got him he had an ugly, chafed, bleeding penis. It’s goopy and “sheds” a lot, and it smells bad, too. He doesn’t act as if it hurts. Why does this happen and what can I do for him? the tip of the penis is made of smegma. (Though beans can become quite large, they typically don’t prevent the horse

skin. Close monitoring of behavior can determine if this is the cause.

Balanoposthitis, or inflammation of the penis and sheath, is treated by gentle cleansing plus administering antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Your vet will determine the need for these medications, which shouldn’t be administered prior to a thorough exam. Your vet may also recommend a topical medication to help soothe irritated skin. (In breeding stallions, abnormalities of the penis and sheath should be examined imme- diately to rule out venereal diseases that can be transmitted through live-cover breeding or artificial insemination.)

Though you typically don’t need a professional to clean your horse’s sheath, a thorough examination of your horse’s problematic penis by a veterinarian enables prompt detection of cancer or other diseases that can be most easily treated in the early stages of development. For details, see “Cleaning a Horse’s Sheath.”