Equine Castration

Question 1

What are the most common complications?

Answer 1

1. hemorrhage
2. herniation
3. acute scrotal inf
4. chronic inf of the cord
5. tetanus– rare

Question 2

What are the preop antimicrobials that we use for castration?

Answer 2

Options are gentamicin + PPG, TMS- night before if a farm call, Exceed IM prior to sx and Gentamicin at induction

Question 3

Always use this type of ligation technique-

Answer 3

transfixation

Question 4

Dr. Mochal’s field anesth protocol for sedation and maint. under anesth–>

Answer 4

Sedate: Ace, Xylazine, Butorphanol
**or just xylazine or just Detomidine or det. with torb and ace
**Just do not use ace or torb aloneeeee
Induce 10mL Ketamine
Triple drip standard- Guaifenesin , Ketamine, Xylazine OR
CRI Detomidine, Guaifenesin, Ketamine

Guaifenesin is good w ketamine to not cause ataxia issues

Question 5

What are some red flags for complications during castration (3 of them that p presents with):

Answer 5

Parasitized foals, crypt, febrile

Question 6

T/F we want absent corneal reflex when horse is under anesth to make sure it is deep enough

Answer 6

FALSE- absent of corneal depth means the anesth. is toooo deep

Question 7

Always have ____ ____ when doing castration, even in a field

Answer 7

Venous access (IVC)

Question 8

What breeds are predisposed to herniation after castration, why??

Answer 8

standards/Tennessee’s/drafts – got large inguinal rings

Question 9

What are some steps we should do to be sure our castrations do not have any complications?

Answer 9

transfixation ligatures w 3 surgical throws and 9 throws/knots - super confusing on how Dr. Mochal described this, pre-op abx (peak plasma when cutting with 4 quad coverage), NSAIDs (3-5 days), be sterile (cold sterile inactivated by organic matter), Vax

***transfixation–> 3 surgeon throws, 1 knot, flip over and do 3.5 knots
9 total knots

Question 10

what is the number one most common complication from equine castration?

Answer 10

hemorrhage

Question 11

Who is at risk for hemorrhage? (2)

Answer 11

Donkeys and older stallions

Question 12

close castrations means…

Answer 12

Leaving the parietal vaginal tunic closed (only cutting into the visceral parietal tunic)

Question 13

closing the skin on a castration is called…

Answer 13

scrotal ablation

Question 14

Must have what before you do sx on a horse?

Answer 14

peak plasma concentrations

Question 15

Options for abx during castration–

Answer 15

Gent + PPG 
or 
TMS q 12 night before and morning of and do sx in afternoon
or 
Exceed + Gent 

all 4 point coverage and not super pricey

Question 16

what is impt by cold sterile packs that we must know?

Answer 16

inactivated by organic debris, so clean again with dish soap and pour Chlorhexidine over it and soak

Question 17

Ascarids during anesthesia.. how can this be a red flag?

Answer 17

Can travel to the lungs under anesth and cause bad pneumonia

Question 18

Recoveries can be made rougher if feed is withheld for 8-12 hours in a young stallion before sx, T/F

Answer 18

Trueeeee

controversial though

Question 19

Never do anesth without what?

Answer 19

Access to a vein, IVC NEEDED even in field castration that is not at all at risk

Question 20

What is the perf mix of sedative Mochal uses? What about induction? What about maintenance?

Answer 20

Sedative- Xylazine, torb, and Ace all mixed together
Induction- Ketamine IV (can mix with Midazolam or Diazepam)
Maintenance- triple drip with Guaifenesin, Ketamine, Xylazine

Question 21

RR <6 breaths per min=

Answer 21

bad perfusion to tissues so be sure to intervene to increase the RR

Question 22

Should limbs be freely movable while horse is under anesth??

Answer 22

Yupp