CPD Article | EQUINE
Equine Castration
and Complications
Dr Arnold T Mahne BVSc(Hons), MMedVet(Chir)(Eq), Baker McVeigh
Cape Town, Turf Club Road, Milnerton.
Email: [email protected]
Castration is one of the most commonly performed
surgeries in the horse and is classified as open, semi-
closed or closed. 10 This classification is not based on
whether the skin is sutured or not. During an open
castration, the parietal tunic (tunica vaginalis lamina
parietalis) is opened and not removed. This is the
method used most commonly when castrating a horse
standing. The incisions are left open to heal with
secondary intention.
Closed and semi-closed castrations are best done under
general anaesthesia. With a closed castration, the
parietal tunic is not opened, and is removed with the
testicle. A ligature can be placed around the spermatic
cord. During a semi-closed castration, the parietal tunic
is opened to allow separate clamping (and ligation)
of the blood vessels, after which the parietal tunic is
removed with the testicle. An additional ligature can
also be placed around the spermatic cord. With closed
or semi-closed castrations, the skin can be left open.
The alternative, which allows for primary intention
healing and less aftercare, is to suture the skin, provided
that good aseptic technique was used and there was
adequate haemostasis10. A new technique is the use of
a Henderson tool, for castrating horses under general
anaesthesia. After exteriorizing the testicle with the
parietal tunic intact, the spermatic cord is clamped with
the tool proximal to the testicle. The tool is attached to
an electric hand drill, which is used to twist the testicle
until it comes loose and is removed. 10
Complications
Although castration is a relatively easy procedure,
complications arising from castrations are common
and often lead to malpractice claims against equine
veterinarians. 2,4,12 Post-operative complications include
haemorrhage, edema, infection, omental herniation,
intestinal evisceration, septic peritonitis, penile
damage, continued masculine behavior, vaginocoele,
incomplete cryptorchid castration and death. 1,10
Haemorrhage
In open castrations, some bleeding for 5 minutes
post-emasculation should be regarded as normal.
Haemorrhage is usually from the testicular artery and is
caused by faulty instruments, applying the emasculator
the wrong way around, not applying the emasculator
perpendicular to the spermatic cord, not keeping it
• Volume 20 Issue 2 | July 2018 •
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