A survey of equine castration complications

• Published in: Journal of equine veterinary science Vol. 15; no. 12; pp. 522 - 526
• Main Authors: Moll, H.D., Pelzer, K.D., Pleasant, R.S., Modransky, P.D., May, K.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.12.1995
• ISSN: 0737-0806; 1542-7412
• DOI: 10.1016/S0737-0806(07)80421-7

A list frame of names was obtained from the American Association of Equine Practitioners located in the United States. One thousand members were randomly selected and mailed a questionnaire concerning equine castration. Questions were asked concerning number of castrations performed per year, technique and instrumentation used, anesthetic protocol, surgical technique, post operative care, and complications encountered. A total of 615 questionnaires were returned. Of the respondents, 560 had performed at least 1 castration in the past 12 months. The range of the number of castrations performed per respondent was 1 to 1024 for a total of 23,229 castrations. Behavior modification was listed as the main reason for castration, with 84% of the respondents recommending castration between 3 months and 2 years of age. The Whites improved emasculator was the most common type used. Post surgical edema and swelling was the most frequently listed surgical complication, followed by infection, fever, and excessive hemorrhage. These results are descriptive in nature. Because of the retrospective nature of the data of this study, causal associations cannot be made. However, this information could be used to design future studies to establish causal relationships between the various protocols and techniques used in equine castration and the resulting complications.