CPD Article | EQUINE cavity , while the testicle stays in the peritoneal cavity . At 8.5 months , the gubernaculum starts to shorten . Simultaneously the testicle regresses in size , while the epididymis and gubernaculum will enlarge , causing dilatation of the vaginal ring . This allows the testicle to descend into the inguinal canal . At birth the extraabdominal portion of the gubernaculums is still very large . This keeps the testicle in the inguinal canal . During the first few weeks of life the inguinal ring contracts . Thus if a testicle is still intra-abdominally , it will be retrained there .
CPD Article | EQUINE cavity , while the testicle stays in the peritoneal cavity . At 8.5 months , the gubernaculum starts to shorten . Simultaneously the testicle regresses in size , while the epididymis and gubernaculum will enlarge , causing dilatation of the vaginal ring . This allows the testicle to descend into the inguinal canal . At birth the extraabdominal portion of the gubernaculums is still very large . This keeps the testicle in the inguinal canal . During the first few weeks of life the inguinal ring contracts . Thus if a testicle is still intra-abdominally , it will be retrained there .
Failure of the gubernaculums to enlarge to dilate the inguinal ring , failure of the gubernaculum to regress in size allowing the testicle to move into the scrotum , failure of regression in size of the testicle or an abnormal testicle are postulated etiologies for cryptorchidism . Therefore if a small inguinal testicle is removed , it is of utmost importance to ensure that it is the whole testicle and not just the epididymis or gubernaculum remnant . If only one testicle is present in the scrotum and the hidden once cannot be located , do not remove the normal testicle .
Complications : open , standing versus recumbent , sutured ( semi-closed ) castrations 6 In a UK based retrospective study comparing open standing castration versus recumbent sutured castration , the following results were found : Although the cost of an open standing castration was about a third of that of a semi-closed ( recumbent , sutured ) castration , there were significant differences in complication rates . Complication prevalence of 22 % was seen with open , standing castrations , versus 6 % for recumbent , sutured castrations . When complications occurred in open castrations , it increased the average cost to two thirds of the cost of a recumbent , sutured castration . Although rare , complications that occurred after a sutured , recumbent castration might increased the costs by an average of 50 %.
In this study no eviscerations occurred , in which event the cost to the individual owner will significantly increase .
Summary
Although the equine castration is a relatively easy surgical procedure to perform , it is associated with a high complication rate . Owners should be informed about possible complications and the various castration options available .
References
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