Hemosemen due to habronemiasis
Keywords: habronema, habronemiasis, hemosemen,stallion, equine
Image size: 1500 x 1991px
This image shows semen that appears to be almost pure blood as a result of habronemiasis in Quarter horse stallion. In this case (as in most cases of hemosemen) hemorrhage was only seen during ejaculation. This is usually a transitory condition and resolves after appropriate treatment for habronemiasis.
Most cases of hemosemen are not due to habronemiasis. In fact, the etiology often remains unknown and the ejaculate returns to normal with sexual rest alone. Despite some recommendations to the contrary, only a brief period of sexual rest is required in most cases; perhaps a week to 10 days. In that regard, it is important for veterinarians to realize that hemosemen (even severe hemosemen such as that shown here) does not necessarily signal the end of the breeding season for a particular stallion.
Although blood in the semen has been reported to decreased fertility, anecdotal reports suggest that some stallions maintain their fertility despite the regular presence of blood in their ejaculates.
