Page 610 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Reproductive system: 2.3 Equine castr ation 585

VetBooks.ir 2.186 2.187

Fig. 2.186 This horse had undergone an open Fig. 2.187 Intraoperative view of a hydrocoele found
castration 4 weeks earlier and presented with a large at surgery following swelling in the scrotum of a
swelling on the left side of the inguinal region. At horse castrated by the open technique several months
surgery, the funiculitis lesion on the end of the vaginal earlier.
cord is completely exteriorised. Note the normal cord
below it.

Treatment is not normally required except for CONTINUED MASCULINE BEHAVIOUR
cosmetic reasons. Surgical treatment requires
reopening of the castration site and re- emasculation Persistent masculine behaviour can be seen in up to
of the stump. An inguinal approach allows a more 30% of cases following castration. The reasons for
proximal emasculation of the tunic and place- this are not fully understood but are likely to involve
ment of a ligature will further prevent recurrence innate group behaviour between horses. Hormonal
(Fig. 2.187). influence may also be involved, as androgens are not
produced solely by testicular tissue. Cryptorchidism
PENILE DAMAGE and incomplete castration should be ruled out by
hormonal blood tests. The possibility of contin-
Penile damage can occur if the shaft of the penis ued masculine behaviour should be discussed with
is confused with one of the testes during surgery the owners before surgery, especially in older males
and iatrogenic damage occurs. To avoid this, care- and those used previously as stallions, as the risk of
ful pre- and intraoperative palpation should be maintaining masculine behaviour is increased.
performed, especially if the surgeon is inexperi-
enced. Treatment depends on the structures dam- FURTHER READING
aged. Haemostasis is essential and if the urethra Dascanio J, McCue P (2014) (eds) Equine Reproductive
has not been damaged, the wound may be sutured. Procedures. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
If extensive damage has been caused, penile ampu- Schumacher J (2018) Testis. Penis and prepuce. In:
tation or retroversion might need to be performed Equine Surgery, 5th edn. (eds J Auer, J Stick). Elsevier,
as a salvage procedure. St. Louis, pp. 994–1064.