Field castration in horses.

Routine equine surgical procedures don’t mean complications can develop. Castration, It’s one of the most common elective surgical procedures performed in the field, but sometimes things go wrong. Veterinarians must be prepared well in advance to manage any postoperative problems, which for gelding can range from mild swelling to devastating intestinal prolapse. Previous studies the researchers reported a complication rate of about 10%, Of those, the vast majority were considered mild, about 20% were considered moderate, and just 3% were considered severe. But severe can mean death in some cases, so knowing how to respond is crucial. Preventing complications is preferable to having to manage them, hence the following tips on castrating was given at the 2015 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Convention, held Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas by P.O. Eric Mueller, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, professor and director of equine programs at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens, reviewed how practitioners can prevent and manage castration complications in the field.(Read more ; horse.com) 1) First, be familiar with the pertinent reproductive anatomy and how to perform the procedure properly. 2) Get an extensive history on the patient, including any previous surgeries or congenital inguinal hernias especially those the foal was born with in which intestines have burst through the inguinal canal, a natural opening in the body wall of the horse’s groin area, and into the scrotum or tissue around the sheath. 3)Conduct a physical exam prior to surgery, including a thorough evaluation of the horse’s testes and inguinal areas. “The absence of one or both descended testes, a history of congenital inguinal hernia, or abnormal swelling or enlargement of the inguinal ring (there’s one at each end of the inguinal canal) should alert the practitioner to an increased risk of postoperative complications, at which time they should strongly consider referral to a surgery facility,”. 4) Apply the emasculators (a castration tool that cuts through the spermatic cord, crushing the vessels providing blood to the testicles) properly, checking for hemorrhage before releasing the cord after emasculation. 5) Ensure the patient is up-to-date on tetanus vaccination. Following surgery, keep the horse on stall rest for 24 hours to allow for close observation. Horses should have short periods of forced exercise (lunging or trotting, for example) for four to five days to help reduce edema (swelling). Don’t just turn them out in the pasture, as it won’t necessarily ensure the horse will move enough to keep the swelling down.