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  Discussion on Diagnosed Penile Prolapse - Horse taken to UF
Author Message
Member:
marti

Posted on Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 - 2:13 pm:

Dr. O and Members, I thought I would share my current on going experience as this is not a common disorder with a common cure.

THE BACKGROUND: Monday (2/18) afternoon - My 10 year old gelding's penis was found to be enlarged and hanging out. Our local vet was contacted. She recommended warm water soaks - wrapping the penis up (as shown on this site)). The swelling persisted and another vet (a surgeon) was contacted on Tuesday afternoon, the surgeon schedule an appointment to bring the horse to the clinic the next afternoon. Meanwhile the local vet quite concerned recommended the University of Florida has a department head with quite a bit of experience with this uncommon condition.

Wednesday (2/20) Patrick taken to UF yesterday. He was examined by a Theriogenologists and confirmed to be suffering from priapism (cannot retract his penis). We described events leading up the priapism.

Tuesday 2/12 for x-raying his stifles, Patrick was sedated with ace or domosadan (sp?). We also noticed on Tuesday that his penis was hanging out during work, thinking that he had to urinate, but when put up to relieve himself he didn't urinate. The Doctor questioned us about prior partial erections and we told her that Pat DrOpped his penis and would be partial erect almost every time he was groomed since we have owned him, 3 years.

Friday 2/15 Patrick was again sedated with ace or domosadan (sp?) so that his stifles could be injected with steroids and HA. Saturday and Sunday Patrick was observed being content and his usual playful self in his stall. He was in a sheet and since he has such a short clean hair coat was not groomed over the weekend. So it isn't clear how long his penis was prolapsed.

Back to the exam on Wednesday, 2/20 though ace is suspected, the vet is concerned that previous symptoms before sedation indicate nerve damage. Patrick’s tail was deadened by his previous owner via the trainer (an unethical practice common in the AQHA show ring, I was not aware of the tail issue when I purchased the horse) this may be causing chronic fibrous nerve damage. Parasites can also cause the nerve damage. Treatments of Phenylephrine were started Wednesday afternoon and continued today. They reduce the swelling but only for about two hours.

Thursday 2/21. The team has told me they will recommend a partial or full phallectomy, depending on the amount of erectile issue that has to be removed if Patrick doesn’t respond by tomorrow. The good news is that though the surgery is expensive the recovery if expected to be complete.

I’ll keep you guys posted. Meanwhile I am praying for a good outcome for this wonderful animal.

Marti
Member:
paul303

Posted on Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 - 11:36 pm:

Thank you for taking the time, Marti. This is how we can all learn. You and Patrick will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. Be waiting for news. Good luck
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Feb 22, 2008 - 5:43 am:

Marti thanks for sharing and I will pray for a good outcome for Patrick also. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 22, 2008 - 6:37 am:

Hello Marti,
This is a more common event than you believe. I too think the ace in combination with some sort of preexisting retractor problem worked together to create this problem. Any horse that is heavily sedated with ace should be monitored while he recovers and if the penis is distended for a prolonged time should be intermittently "bothered" to retract the penis so swelling does not form. Cold hosing might work if the horse sensitive

One comment is that I don't think the nerves responsible for retraction travel in the area of of where traditional tail blocks are done. I think they exit the cord more rostral and stay deep, innervating the retractor muscle in the inguinal canal, but I will double check this.
DrO
Member:
lilo

Posted on Friday, Feb 22, 2008 - 2:00 pm:

Marti, I just want to add my good wishes for a positive outcome. Lilo
Member:
oscarvv

Posted on Sunday, Feb 24, 2008 - 8:38 am:

Marti - I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope he doesn't need surgery.

DrO - Thank you for the excellent info on monitoring a horse after sedation with ace.
Member:
marti

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 - 12:08 pm:

Hello All,

Thank you so much for your kind words. Poor Patty is in surgery as I write this. He didn’t respond to the medications to reduce the swelling. I should hear late this afternoon how he is doing and if time allows I’ll post again this afternoon. After the surgery the 1st couple of weeks will be the toughest as the opening for the urethra may close and that will require an addition surgery to make a new opening.

I have spoken to six vets, 4 horse trainers with many years of experience and many owners that have had horses for years and none had heard of this. I will pay much closer attention to all meds given my horses in the future.

Dr. O’s site does caution the penis should be made to retract after sedation if the penis is still extending after 2 hours I believe. Dr. O does dormosadan and other sedatives have this same risk?

Warm regards
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 - 7:14 pm:

Marti I hope paddy came through a successful surgery in good shape. Hoping the recovery goes smoothly also. Keep us updated.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 - 7:15 pm:

Though you get some relaxation of the penis with these other sedatives, ace has a much more pronounced effect on penis relaxation and the biggest reason I still carry the drug on the truck: to examine the penis. Many cases are like yours, there are several factors that lead to problems with old age one of the most common. If there is enough preexisting problem I suppose it is possible with other sedatives but I have not heard of such a case. Though I ask clients to monitor with ace administration, I don't with other sedatives...I hope I would notice a remarkably prolapsed penis during sedation and give warning.
DrO
Member:
pbauer

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 - 8:05 pm:

Dear Marti,


Given all the prayers...your active response in meeting the challenge, and the God given skill of the surgeon...Patty, should have a very bright future ahead of him.


Praying...and will continue to pray!


Blessings,
Tonya
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 - 9:20 pm:

Marti -- thank you so very much for bringing this problem to our attention. It is something that we need to be aware of. I sincerely hope that your horse will have a good final outcome. UF is a good place to get the best of care.
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