Colt Castration
In general, colts are castrated from the age of six months to two years. We castrate colts ‘in the field’ i.e. at your yard, in a large flat clean field. The colts are given a general anaesthetic, which means they lie down on the ground while they are castrated. We then wait with them whilst they recover and get up. We will only castrate colts in this way that have two descended testicles. Colts with one or two retained testicles, or very mature stallions will require referral for surgery in theatre conditions.
Please seek advice from the surgery with any queries.
Post Castration Advice
Housing
After castration keep your horse in a small quiet area for 12-24 hours. A small dry paddock, clean stable or yard is ideal. After this time your horse should be turned into a dry paddock or walked in hand to encourage fluid drainage and decrease swelling.
Fly Repellent
Fly repellent should be used on the horse at appropriate times of the year, but should NOT be applied directly to the castration wounds. It may be carefully applied around the wound.
Normal Appearance
Dripping of blood from the castration site is common for several hours. It should be no faster than a dripping tap and usually will stop once sufficient clots have formed.
It is also normal to see up to 5cms of pink/red tissue protruding from the wound up to 24-48 hours post castration, this will usually shrink back into the wound once the swelling starts to decrease.
Common Complications (When to call the vet!)
Swelling
Turnout or walking in hand will help to reduce swelling in the groin region.
Infection
Persistent swelling, discomfort, with or without discharge can indicate a post-operative infection. This may take a few days to develop and will need further veterinary treatment to include antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
Haemorrhage
This is usually seen when blood clots fail to form after two to three hours. A fast drip or steady stream of blood flows from the wounds. Veterinary attention should be sought to stop the bleeding.
Excessive Protrusion of Tissue
If tissue hangs down more than 5 cms from the wounds, it may be at risk of further trauma or at increased risk of becoming infected. Please call the surgery to report the problem and for advice/further veterinary treatment.
Failure to Urinate
If your horse appears to be straining whilst trying to urinate, please seek veterinary attention immediately.
Eventration
This is when the intestines find there way out through the surgical wounds. It is the most severe and one of the most uncommon complications. It occurs because the abdominal cavity lining in which the intestines sit communicates with the scrotal sac. Horses often show colic signs and veterinary attention should be sought immediately. Horses with eventration usually have a poor prognosis.
This form is not designed to worry you, but to make you aware of some complications that can occur so that you can notify us quickly of any difficulties and we can provide the best veterinary care to your horse. If you have any concerns please telephone the practice sooner rather than later!