OK, we are going to talk about horsey private parts and manure…  Just letting you know.  ;)

ACK!  MT HAS A BLADDER INFECTION!

Much to my horror, MT had a bladder infection very recently.

…Hopefully, none of you readers are cringing at the mere utterance of “B-L-A-D-D-E-R  I-N-F-E-C-T-I-O-N”.   Hopefully you haven’t had to endure the doubling-over pain associated (or that I associate) with bladder infections.  I hate bladder infections.

I could not believe that this poor girl had to endure such pain.  And, she was in pain because I could see it in her eyes, and she was sweating.  I knew something was up… and then I saw her urinate.  There was blood.  I ran to the phone.

Long story short, sulfur pills were dispensed immediately and she is much, much better.

But… I didn’t want it to happen again.

CASLICK SURGERY ISN’T JUST FOR PREGNANT MARES

Caslick surgery was invented by Dr. Caslick to prevent abortion or infection in pregnant mares with a flaccid/weak vaginal seal by sewing the uppermost part of the vulva to prevent wind-sucking or any other contaminants from getting into her vagina.

Here is a very nice article with graphic photos.

But, this idea can also work with an older mare whose conformation in that area has changed or tipped.  In older mares, or mares that have foaled often, they lose muscle tone which sucks the anus backwards.  Because of this ‘tucking in’ of the anus, these mares can eliminate INTO their vagina.

Now, this rarely happens because the vagina has a few chambers that keep the bad out (vulval seal) – but in some cases, those chambers are flaccid or injured or exposed.

So, the Caslick surgery can help by closing the area right under the anus.  They don’t suture the entire vulva shut – of course… only the top part that is directly in line with the sucked back anus.  They leave plenty of opening for normal urination.

BLADDER INFECTION GONE, SURGERY DONE.

The vet came out and carefully numbed the sensitive area.   MT was eating so she barely noticed.  Then, he cut a thin piece of tissue on either side of her vulva so the edges would be fresh and ready to heal together.

The rest was simple stitching.

Tess is resting comfortably.  I know she knows that it hurts a bit back there, but it isn’t keeping her from eating or sleeping.

I just checked on her tonight and she was fine.

For me, I am resting easier knowing that we’ve taken precautions so that MT won’t suffer another bladder infection during my watch.  To be fair, we don’t know exactly what caused this infection, but her conformation lends itself to self-contamination.  So, I feel like I was given a good warning – and it was time to be proactive so that she won’t have to suffer any more bladder infections.

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