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Equine Castration Flashcards

(69 cards)

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1
Q

why are horses castrated?

A

behaviour modification
management
control of breeding
medical reasons

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2
Q

how may castration aid behaviour modification?

A

reduces aggression

geldings are easier to handle

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3
Q

how can castration aid management?

A

can be turned out with mares

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4
Q

for what medical reasons may castration be performed?

A

neoplasia
trauma
cryptorchidism

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5
Q

what does cryptorchidism increase the risk of?

A

testicular neoplasia

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6
Q

when is castration usually performed?

A

when both testis have descended (6 months - 2 years in horses)

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7
Q

where can castration be performed?

A

field or hospital

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8
Q

who must legally perform castration?

A

vet

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9
Q

what are the anaesthetic options for castration?

A

standing sedation

GA

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10
Q

what are the 3 surgical techniques used for castration?

A

open
semi closed
closed

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11
Q

what happens during open castration?

A

vaginal tunic is incised and left open

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12
Q

what happens during semi-closed castration?

A

vaginal tunic is incised but subsequently sutured

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13
Q

what happens during closed castration?

A

vaginal tunic is sutured proximal to testis before incision

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14
Q

what is open castration used for?

A

standing field castration

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15
Q

when is open castration not used?

A

older horses
those previously used for breeding
donkeys

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16
Q

what anaesthesia is required for closed and semi-closed castration techniques?

A

GA

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17
Q

where are closed and semi-closed castrations usually performed?

A

hospital/clinic to maintain sterility

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18
Q

how can the decision to castrate in a field/hospital be affected?

A

facilities of practice and yard
possibility of transporting the horse
technique to be used

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19
Q

what affects whether standing sedation of GA are used?

A

size of horse (testis hard to visualise in small horses)
suitability for open procedures
temperament
cost

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20
Q

describe the process of open castration

A

incision made through the skin and vaginal tunic to expose testis
emasculators applied to vans defrens and testicular vessels
they are held closed for a period of time and then released gently

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21
Q

how do emasculators work?

A

crush vessels and cord (proximally) and transect distally

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22
Q

how many blades does an emasculator have?

A

2 blades

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23
Q

what is the role of the 2 blades of the emasculators?

A

one cuts, the other crushes

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24
Q

how should emasculators be applied to the vans defrens?

A

nut to nut!

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25
why must you be careful when cleaning emasculators?
taken apart to clean and must be put back together so that 'nut to nut' is correct
26
how should emasculators be stored?
loosely and then tightened up before use
27
describe the process of closed castration
incision through skin only blunt dissection of vaginal tunic containing testis from surrounding tissues ligatures placed before emasculation
28
what are the main options for scrotal closure after castration?
sutured (primary closure) left open (second intention) with or without ablation
29
how is the scrotum left after field castrations?
open for drainage
30
what type of anaesthetic agents is standing castration performed under?
sedation with alpha2-agonist and butorphanol with local anaesthetic into scrotum and testicle
31
in what age animals is standing castration usually performed?
<18 months, well handled
32
what are the advantages of standing castration?
quick effective cheap traditional
33
what are the disadvantages of standing castration?
poor asepsis high incidence of minor complications poor options for complication management risk of injury to surgeon
34
what is the equipment needed for standing castration?
``` sedation analgesia (NSAID - injectable and oral) antimicrobials tetanus antitoxin gloves hibiscrub / spirit swabs / cotton wool local anaesthetic needles and syringes scalpel blade sterile swabs stitch kit suture material emasculators allis tissue forceps haemostats be prepared for GA - ketamine and IV catheters ```
35
how should a horse be prepped for standing castration?
``` sedate check for presence of 2 testicles scrub scrotum LA injected into the subcutis and testicle re-scrub the area ```
36
what is essential to ensure safety when palpating, prepping and castrating a horse?
safe positioning to ensure animal cannot kick surgeon
37
what position should horses be in for GA castration?
dorsal or lateral recumbancy
38
what equipment is required for hospital GA castration?
``` gloves scrub clippers urinary catheter gloves for tail and hooves drapes towel clamps surgical kit (as per standing) saline ```
39
what is required for GA castration in the field?
IV catheter | safe area to knock down and recover
40
how should horses be positioned during field GA castration?
lateral recumbancy with hindleg held up bay a lead rope
41
where should any assistants be placed during field GA castration?
by dorsal spine so out of kick/headbutt zone
42
what should be checked prior to castration?
age of horse tetanus status has it been used for breeding (affects technique) facilities available at yard (e.g. water, stable) two descended testicles (checked by vet)
43
what must be discussed with the owner prior to castration?
costs risks/complications procedure
44
what are the main complications of castration?
``` swelling haemorrhage (during or after) infection tetanus evisceration ```
45
what is the most common infection seen after castration?
schirrous cord
46
what is schirrous cord?
chronic staphylococcus infection of spermatic cord usually associated with ligatures
47
what is evisceration?
prolapse of omentum or intestine through inguinal ring
48
which is the most serious type of evisceration?
intestine - an emergancy
49
how can evisceration of omentum be managed?
resection
50
what should happen if evisceration occurs?
owner told to support intestine with clean towel sedation lavage refurral to hospital for further treatment / surgery
51
what must be monitored for following open castration?
``` all potential complications excessive bleeding swelling anything protruding from surgical site appetite and fecal output ```
52
how much bleeding is expected following open castration?
drips expected for first 12 hours - should be able to count them
53
what bleeding from the scrotum after open castration will require intervention?
steady stream of blood | pulsating/arterial blood
54
what level of swelling is acceptable?
no larger than an orange or pre-surgical size
55
what effects of the sedation / anaesthesia must be monitored following castration?
appetite and fecal output | check for colic signs
56
what length of box rest is required following standard open castration/primary closure of scrotum?
24-48 hours
57
when is turnout permitted following standard open castration?
7-10 days post op
58
how often should horses be walked in hand in the days after standard open castration?
2-3 times a day
59
what is the benefit of in hand walking following standard open castration?
reduces swelling | encourages drainage
60
what is used for analgesia following standard open castration?
NSAIDs
61
for how long should recently castrated geldings be kept away from mares?
2 months post-op as they can remain fertile
62
what is cryptorchidism?
failure of testicular descent from the caudal pole of the kidney to the scrotum during embryonic development. Either retained inguinally or abdominally
63
how can cryptorchidism be diagnosed?
``` history palpation ultrasound blood tests surgical exploration ```
64
what blood test may be used to diagnose cryptorchidism in horses over 3 years?
oestrogen sulphate | anti-mullerian hormone
65
what blood test may be used to diagnose cryptorchidism in horses under 3 years and donkeys?
hCG stimulation | anti-mullerian hormone
66
what is the prefurred method for cryptorchidectomy?
laproscopic
67
what anaesthesia is required for cryptorchidectomy?
standing sedation or anaesthesia
68
what testis is laproscopic cryptorchidectomy more relevant for?
abdominal
69
when may ligation occur during laparscopic cryptorchidectomy?
internally or externally

X Clinical Veterinary Nursing Theory (70 decks)

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