Equine Castration Flashcards
why are horses castrated?
behaviour modification
management
control of breeding
medical reasons
how may castration aid behaviour modification?
reduces aggression
geldings are easier to handle
how can castration aid management?
can be turned out with mares
for what medical reasons may castration be performed?
neoplasia
trauma
cryptorchidism
what does cryptorchidism increase the risk of?
testicular neoplasia
when is castration usually performed?
when both testis have descended (6 months - 2 years in horses)
where can castration be performed?
field or hospital
who must legally perform castration?
vet
what are the anaesthetic options for castration?
standing sedation
GA
what are the 3 surgical techniques used for castration?
open
semi closed
closed
what happens during open castration?
vaginal tunic is incised and left open
what happens during semi-closed castration?
vaginal tunic is incised but subsequently sutured
what happens during closed castration?
vaginal tunic is sutured proximal to testis before incision
what is open castration used for?
standing field castration
when is open castration not used?
older horses
those previously used for breeding
donkeys
what anaesthesia is required for closed and semi-closed castration techniques?
GA
where are closed and semi-closed castrations usually performed?
hospital/clinic to maintain sterility
how can the decision to castrate in a field/hospital be affected?
facilities of practice and yard
possibility of transporting the horse
technique to be used
what affects whether standing sedation of GA are used?
size of horse (testis hard to visualise in small horses)
suitability for open procedures
temperament
cost
describe the process of open castration
incision made through the skin and vaginal tunic to expose testis
emasculators applied to vans defrens and testicular vessels
they are held closed for a period of time and then released gently
how do emasculators work?
crush vessels and cord (proximally) and transect distally
how many blades does an emasculator have?
2 blades
what is the role of the 2 blades of the emasculators?
one cuts, the other crushes
how should emasculators be applied to the vans defrens?
nut to nut!
why must you be careful when cleaning emasculators?
taken apart to clean and must be put back together so that ‘nut to nut’ is correct
how should emasculators be stored?
loosely and then tightened up before use
describe the process of closed castration
incision through skin only
blunt dissection of vaginal tunic containing testis from surrounding tissues
ligatures placed before emasculation