Complications of equine castration Flashcards
What are the clinical signs of failing to achieve adequate anaesthesia?
Kicking in standing horse.
Persistent movement in anaesthetised horse
What is the cause of failing to achieve adequate anaesthesia?
Not enough drugs
How can you prevent failure to achieve adequate anaesthesia?
Giving correct drugs at the right time, weigh the horse
How can failure to achieve adequate anaesthesia be treated?
Check for nystagmus etc.. – prevent by monitoring
What are the clinical signs of failure to remove the testis?
Testis absent from scrotum or inguinal region
What is Failure to remove testis caused by?
cryptorchidism
How can Failure to remove testis be prevented?
Identify in pre-op exam
How can Failure to remove testis be treated?
Identify presence and location of testis.
Plan appropriate surgical approach to locate and remove testis.
DO NOT remove descended testis and leave cryptorchid one!
What are the clinical signs of Haemorrhage?
- NB Minor bleeds are very common*
- Major bleeds can be life-threatening*
Varies from slow drip (from clamped stump or from skin vessels) to severe continuous flow of blood (from failed clamp or ligature on main artery)
Occurs during op or first 48 hours
What is Haemorrhage caused by?
Slow drip from stump: normal post emasculation
Slow drip from skin vessels – normal
Donkeys and mature animals may have increased vasculature
Fast, continuous flow: failure to ligate testicular artery or failure to use emasculators properly (always place nuts to nuts)
How can haemhorrhage be prevented?
Placing nut to nut, ligating the vessels, or can suture the scrotum closed for mild haemorrhage.
Severe haemorrhages – clamp the spermatic cord stump and can leave for 25 hours, can ligate the testicular artery, can ligate the whole cord.
Must assess the cardiovascular status.
How can haemhorrhage be treated?
Minor – pack with swabs
Severe haemorrhages – clamp the spermatic cord stump and can leave for 24 hours, can ligate the testicular artery, can ligate the whole cord.
Must assess the cardiovascular status.
What are the clinical signs of Iatrogenic penile damage?
Incision into penile tissue noticed during surgery or penile damage / protrusion / haemorrhage post-op
What is Iatrogenic penile damage caused by?
Failure to identify and avoid penile tissue during procedure
How can Iatrogenic penile damage be prevented?
Careful palpation and correct surgical approach
How can Iatrogenic penile damage be treated?
Normally is self limiting, try to suture up the laceration, possible penile amputation
What are the clinical signs of post-op swelling / oedema?
Very common
Swelling and oedema of scrotum and prepuce, causes discomfort to the animal, reluctance to move or urinate.
What causes post-op swelling / oedema?
Can be caused by infection, haematoma,
How can post-op swelling / oedema be prevented?
Walking exercise
How can post-op swelling / oedema be treated?
Mild swelling– walking or riding exercise for 30 mins twice a day, NSAIDs.
More severe swelling – digital exploration and drainage. Check for evidence of infection.
What are the clinical signs of Scrotal abscess / post op infection?
Common
May be open and draining or closed – hot, swollen and painful.
Rarely extend into peritoneal cavity or present as peritonitis
What is Scrotal abscess / post op infection caused by?
Excessive bacterial contamination, SSA rather than hospitalised GA.
How is Scrotal abscess / post op infection prevented?
Try to make the technique as clean as possible despite perhaps carrying the procedure out in the yard.
How is Scrotal abscess / post op infection treated?
Digital drainage of pus from wound, gentle lavage of scrotal cavity with dilute antiseptics, parenteral antibiotics if systemic signs present.
What are the clinical signs of Champignon?
Proud granulation tissue +/- purulent discharge
What is Champignon caused by?
Associated with S. zooepidemicus, by ligation/clamping of spermatic cord as ligatures act as a harbour for persistent infection.
How can champignon be prevented?
Minimise degree of contamination during surgery, absorbable ligatures.
How can champignon be treated?
Surgical removal of diseased area and wound drainage.
If very bad – re-emasculate and cut off stump, or infection can track upwards. Done under GA.
5 day IM penicillin to help
What are the clinical signs of Schirrous cord?
RARE
Cold, painless scrotal swelling and discharging tract
chronic persistent spermatic cord infection, multiple small abscesses
may have hind limb lameness
What is Schirrous cord caused by?
Low grade staphylococcal infection,
How can Schirrous cord be prevented?
Careful ligation and packing scrotum with a sterile bandage at the time of the procedure. Clean procedure
How can Schirrous cord be treated?
GA and Surgical removal
Antibiotics, but only reduces discharge, doesn’t treat
What are the clinical signs of Hydrocoele?
Non-painful scrotal swelling – accumulation of fluid in the vaginal tunic, usually unilateral.
What is a Hydrocoele caused by?
Not removing enough vaginal tunic during castrations, often occurs with open castrations.
How can a Hydrocoele be prevented?
Correct procedure
How can a Hydrocoele be treated?
? need to treat – not of much concern
GA and surgical removal of redundant vaginal tunic
