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EQUINE CASTRATIONS

Colts can be castrated at any age if two testicles can be felt in the scrotum. If they are very small then it may not be easy to do standing under sedation and so the vet may elect to leave them to grow a bit larger. The age of the animal can lead the vet to recommend

With this method a general anaesthetic is not necessary and the operation can be performed at home, providing conditions are adequate, under sedation.

If colts are castrated standing under sedation then the entrance to the abdomen cannot be closed and there is a very small risk that intestine may come out of the castration incisions. This can frequently be fatal. It is also not always possible to close off all the blood vessels and therefore there is a risk of haemorrhage. This can be fatal if profuse and if it is not dealt with promptly.

If the castration is performed at the surgery under a general anaesthetic then the entrance to the abdomen can be closed and the blood vessels properly tied off, therefore virtually eliminating the risk of intestine coming through the incision or excessive haemorrhage.

There is a 1 in 100 risk of death associated with general anaesthetic.

If two testicles cannot be felt in the scrotum and the animal is very young you could wait a while to see if they appear as they grow. If you cannot wait or they don't appear then the horse is known as a rig and the castration must be done under a general anaesthetic. This may involve an incision into the abdomen to search for the testicles.

Colts should be stabled for a few hours immediately post castration to monitor for excessive haemorrhage or anything coming through the incisions. Some bleeding is always to be expected after castration but you should be able to count the drops and it should only last for a few hours. The scrotum will usually swell to a certain degree but should remain non-painful and with no discharge.

If everything appears to be ok after a few hours they are usually best turned out to help prevent swelling. This is often the reason why the summer months are not ideal for castrations as there are a large number of flies around.

You should contact the practice immediately if you are concerned about the amount of haemorrhage, discharge or swelling or if anything can be seen coming through either incision.