Castration Complications: A Review of Castration Techniques and How to Manage Complications

Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in equine practice. Open, closed, and semiclosed techniques are described for castration of horses, and the procedure may be performed in a standing, sedated animal or in a recumbent animal under general anesthesia. Although a relatively routine procedure, complications can occur, with reported complication rates ranging from 10.2% to 60%. Most complications are mild and resolve rapidly with appropriate treatment, but more serious or life-threatening complications can also occur. A thorough knowledge of male reproductive anatomy combined with good surgical technique is imperative to help reduce the rate of complications.

Effects of Flunixin Meglumine, Firocoxib, and Meloxicam in Equines After Castration

This study is "aimed" to evaluate and compare the efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FM), firocoxib (FX), and meloxicam (MX) after castration of horses. Thirty horses were submitted to open castration and divided into three groups (n = 10) depending on the anti-inflammatory drug administered: group I (GI) (FM, 1.1 mg kg¹, IV, once a day [SID], 5 days); group II (GII) (FX, 0.1 mg kg¹, IV, SID, 5 days), and group III (GIII) (MX, 0.6 mg kg¹, IV, SID, 5 days). Clinical, behavioral, and hematological parameters and the peritoneal fluid (PF) were evaluated before (day [D] 0) and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days afterward. In the postoperative, scores of limb rigidity and prepuce edema of animals of GII and GIII were greater than those of GI. Tachycardia was observed in the horses of GII and GIII and hyperthermia in GIII. An increase in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes without exceeding the reference values and hyperfibrinogenemia was observed in the animals of GI (D7), GII (D1-D7), and GIII (D7). There was reduction in serum protein after castration, together with an increase of this in the PF of the animals of the three groups. The PF on D0 was straw yellow and limpid, became reddish and cloudy on D1, and then gradually moved toward its normal color on the ensuing days, but without returning to normal on D7 in any of the groups. The results showed that castration triggers significant clinical and laboratory changes and that FM, FX, and MX are equally effective in controlling pain and inflammation in horses after castration; however, FM was more advantageous.

Managing castration complications

There are many possible approaches to ‘routine’ castration of horses with normally descended testicles and the approach utilised is generally decided by the clinician. Unfortunately, complications are relatively common after castration, ranging from rates of 10–60% of animals, therefore knowledge of their predispositions, signs and management is essential to prevent further morbidity and mortality. Reported complications include excessive swelling, haemorrhage, infection (including clostridial infections), funiculitis, peritonitis, eventration, penile trauma +/- paralysis, hydrocoele formation, continued stallion-like behaviour and anaesthetic complications. Most complications are not considered life threatening and do not require emergency treatment; the exceptions are eventration, haemorrhage, peritonitis and clostridial infections, all of which are potentially life-threatening.

Minimally invasive, compartmentalized, modified open castration technique with primary closure in equids

OBJECTIVE To describe use of a modified open castration technique with a scrotal approach and primary closure in equids. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 38 client-owned, sexually intact male equids. PROCEDURES With owner consent, elective castration was performed with a modified open technique on patients (1 pony, 1 miniature horse, and 36 horses of other breeds) under general anesthesia. The procedure included minimal dissection into the scrotal region for removal of testes, with cremaster muscles left intact and the parietal vaginal tunic closed in place. Primary closure of surgical wounds was performed. Patients were monitored for signs of complications. Signalment, surgery-related variables, results of ultrasonographic imaging, postoperative treatments, and outcomes were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained from owners ≥ 6 months after surgery. Medical records were reviewed, and descriptive data were reported. RESULTS Median anesthesia and surgery times were 113.5 and 60 minutes, respectively. Duration of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 3 days. No intraoperative complications were observed. Postoperative complications (moderate swelling in the scrotal region) developed in 2 of 38 (5%) patients. Mild scrotal swelling (n = 5) and transient pyrexia (typically mild; 9) also occurred; no patients had signs of postoperative bleeding, infection, or colic. All equids gradually returned to exercise beginning 10 days after the procedure. Cosmetic results were considered excellent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The modified castration technique was considered simple to perform and advantageous because of the low complication rate, excellent cosmetic results, and prompt return to intended use after surgery.

Evaluation of the colic in horses: decision for referral

This article presents an overview of key factors that should alert the practitioner toward referral of a colic patient to a facility capable of surgical exploration or intensive medical management. Discussion includes a review of important aspects of colic history, signalment, physical examination findings, and diagnostic test results that indicate that a more serious medical or surgical condition exists, and advanced therapy is necessary.