Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques

CASTRATION IN STALLION

Synonym:Emasculation or Gelding or Cutting or Neutralising

Indications

• To make the horse docile and for easy management
• Malignant disease or tumor or irreparable injury to the testis
• Scrotal hernia

Age

• It is performed at one year of age but it can be done at any age. Rarely the testicles may not be descended into the scrotum before one year.

Anaesthesia

• General anaesthesia or sedation with chloral hydras combined with local anaesthesia.

Site

• Ventral aspect of scrotum. While incising avoid scrotal veins.

TOP

Methods of castration

Closed method of castration

• Restrain the stallion
• Hold the spermatic cord firmly by holding the neck of the scrotum.
• The Burdizzo castrator is inserted and the sides were crushed separately.
• Unlike in bulls, the crushing is done in one place only.

TOP

Open method of castration

Open uncovered method

• Secure the animal in lateral recumbency.
• Prepare the site aseptically.
• It is better to remove the testis which is nearer to the ground in the casting position of the stallion.
• Hold the testis firmly against the skin of the scrotum.
• Incise at antero-posteriorly to expose the testicle.
• Separate the anterior vascular bundle and posterior bundle of the spermatic cord.
• The anterior bundle contains spermatic artery and spermatic vein. Anterior bundle is more vascular.
• The posterior bundle contains lymphatics, tunica vaginalis, internal cremaster muscle and vas deferens. The posterior bundle is less vascular.
• Severe the posterior bundle without any haemostatic pressure as high as possible.
• Ligate the anterior vascular bundle at the highest point accessible.
• Incise below the ligated point to remove the testis.
• Instead of ligating and cutting any one of the following method can also be performed
  • Using emasculator:
    • Crush the anterior bundle for half a minute.
    • Release it and again crush completely.
  • Using ecraseur
  • By torsion
  • By castration clamps
  • By thermocautery
• During castration in stallion, remove as much of tunica vaginalis as possible. Otherwise hydrocele or water shed may develop due to collection of blood or exudates in its cavity.
• The spermatic cord also should be severed as far as possible to prevent the development of scirrhous cord.

TOP

Open covered method

• This method is preferred stallions affected with scrotal hernia.
• Here the incision is limited to skin, subcutis. The testis is exposed with its covering with tunica vaginalis.
• Spermatic cord is severed after ligating outside its covering.

TOP

Post operative care

A prophylactic dose of anti-tetanus serum should be given to the horse before or immediately after operation.

Post operative complications after castration in stallions

• The complete asepsis should be followed in stallions during castration. Otherwise the following complications may occur.
• Injuries may occur during casting – Fracture of vertebral column, tibia etc.
• Hemorrhage – Primary, reactionary or secondary
• Prolapse of bowel or omentum
• Extensive swelling or edema involving the scrotum and its surrounding tissues
• Malignant edema
• Peritonitis
• Tetanus
• Abscess formation in the spermatic cord
• Gangrene
• Abscess formation in the sub lumbar lymph glands
• Scirrous cord

TOP