Equine Castration Flashcards
Why do we castrate horses?
Behaviour modification
Management
Control breeding
Medical reasons (neoplasia, trauma, cryptorchidism)
When is castration usually performed?
When both testes are descended
6 months - 2 years
What are the 3 castration methods for horses?
Open - vaginal tunic incised and left open
Semi-closed - vaginal tunic incised but subsequently sutured
Closed - vaginal tunic sutured proximal to testis before incision
Which method is used for field castration?
Open (standing castration)
Which castration methods require GA and hospital?
Semi-closed and closed
What are emasculators used for?
Applied to vas deferens and testicular vessels to crush vessels and cord and transect distally
What does an open horse castration involve?
Incising through skin and vaginal tunic to expose testis
Applying emasculators to transect distally
Release emasculators gently to avoid dislodging clot
What does a closed castration involve?
Incising through skin only
Blunt dissection of vaginal tunic containing testis from surrounding tissues
Ligatures placed before emasculation
What are the scrotal options post-castration?
Suture (primary closure)
Left open (second intention)
+/- ablation
What sedation is used for a standing field castration?
Alpha 2 agonist and butorphanol (and local anaesthetic)
What are the disadvantages of standing field castration?
Poor asepsis
High incidence of minor complications
Poor options for complication management
Risk of injury to surgeon
Give an overview of the equipment required for standing castration.
Sedation and analgesia, LA Antimicrobials Tetanus antitoxin Gloves Hibiscrub and spirit Needles and syringes Scalpel blade Sterile swabs Stitch kit Emasculators Suture material Allis tissue forceps Haemostats GA prep in case (ketamine, IV catheters)
What steps should be taken during prep for standing castration?
Sedation
Check for 2 descended testicles
Scrub scrotum
LA into subcutis and testicle
Rescrub area
What should be considered during prep for field GA castration?
Always place IV catheter
Safe area for knock down and recovery
Positioned in lateral recumbency - hind limb held up with lead rope
Everyone out of kick/headbutt zone
What factors should be discussed with owner before castration?
Age of horse
Tetanus status
Whether used for breeding previously
Facilities at yard (water, stable, safe place to GA if required)
2 testicles descended (vet will check)
Discussion of costs/risks/complications/procedure
What are some of the possible complications of castration?
Swelling Haemorrhage Infection Tetanus Evisceration
What is a schirrous cord?
Chronic staphylococcal infection of spermatic cord remnant
What is evisceration?
Prolapse of omentum or intestine through inguinal ring - intestinal prolapse is an emergency
Should there be any post-op bleeding after an open castration?
Drips OK for first 12 hours, if steady stream then call vet straight away
Should there be any post-op swelling after an open castration?
Some expected - if larger than orange size OR original size pre-surgery then call vet
What should be monitored after open castration?
Bleeding Swelling Surgical site (protrusions) Appetite and faecal output Check for colic signs
What should be involved in aftercare for an open castration?
Box rest 24-48 hours
In-hand walking 2-3x daily to encourage drainage
Turnout after 7-10 days
Continue with NSAIDs for analgesia
Keep away from mares for 8 weeks - could still be fertile
What is cryptorchidism?
Failure of testicular descent
How is cryptorchidism diagnosed?
History Inguinal palpation Ultrasound Blood tests Surgical exploration
How is cryptorchidism treated?
Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy - internal or external ligation, can be done standing or anaesthetised
