Preputial hematoma in a stallion.

The research discusses the case of an 8-year-old Quarter Horse stallion that suffered from a significant swelling in the penile area, which upon necropsy was discovered to be a large hematoma. Despite treatments applied, the cause of bleeding and its exact origin remained uncertain.

Case Overview

• The research centers on an 8-year-old Quarter Horse stallion which was observed to have swelling in its penile area. The affected regions include the prepuce, the dorsal part of the scrotum, and the root of the penis.
• This swelling was first observed around ten days after the stallion had bred.
• It was confirmed that the swelling had not resulted from a kick or any form of injury inflicted by the mare.
• When the stallion was admitted, it was noticed that the penis was retracted into the prepuce, with only a 10 to 15 cm protrusion of the glans penis.

Administered Treatments and Results

• The stallion underwent several treatments including warm hydrotherapy, massage, stockinette compression, the prescription of antidiuretics and antibiotics, penile support, and exercise.
• Despite all the treatments provided, none were successful in alleviating the horse’s condition, leading to a necropsy.
• The necropsy revealed a massive hematoma (a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel) in the preputial area extending from the root of the penis to 12 cm proximal to the glans penis.

Probable Cause of the Hematoma

• The exact origin or cause of the hematoma could not be definitively determined.
• However, based on the researchers’ observations, they consider two most likely sources of bleeding: the vascular plexus that lies subfascially on the surface of the penis outside the intact tunica albuginea, or a branch of the external pudendal artery.

Please note that this research attempts to improve limited knowledge about this medical condition in horses, its causes, and treatments, highlighting a need for further study.