castration on table

The gold standard of castration. Most horses aren't castrated this way, but this is what we do with very expensive horses, and horses which can't be exercised to keep away post-surgical swelling. Its also one approach for removal of cryptorchid testicles. I castrate most of my horses standing using sedation and local anaesthetic, but the view isn't as good for onlookers.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• castration
• horse
• equine
• surgery
• tom
• russell
• surgeon

[testingbox2008]

@horsesurgeon, I noticed you tied the veins, blood vessels, or whatever you call it, I'm not sure what you call it, but my question is what if the things you tied with a kind of cord gets loosened up inside its body, after several months or years? I saw you tied it just one or twice so im thinking if it could losen up by any means. I know similar cords are used to tie up the vasa deferentia in human vasectomy, so I'm just curious and perhaps a little nervous. Thanks

[horsesurgeon]

@testingbox2008 The suture material is absorbable, and is broken down by the body over a few months. The vessel will clot and the end wil turn into a small fibrous lump, so that no bleeding can occur even after the suture is gone.

[testingbox2008]

@horsesurgeon,last question:so what you means is that the suture material when absorbed by the body, it tends to be completely sealed up like the human vermiform appendix,which is essentially a well sealled blind-ended tube? Also has there EVER been a case of the suture material being loosened up to cause internal bleeding which required another surgery to correct(seal it) the bleeding/leaking?Sorry for my questioning,my curiosity has more to do with realibility of the suture material.Thanks Sir

[horsesurgeon]

@testingbox2008 Yep - totally sealed up.

Sutures come loose for a variety of reasons. Poor knot tying; death of the tissue under the suture; excessive tension between tissue planes; excessive movement of the patient; Sometimes the suture snaps in two. Its cetainly on of the hazards of surgery. Today's suture materials are very hi-tech, and there are many varieties suited to various purposes. Certainly better than the pigs intestine and cotton thread of yesteryear.

[horsesurgeon]

Everything is tied off on the table, so just seconds there.

When standing, I crush the cord separately to the tunic. A few seconds for the tunic. About two minutes for the cord. I don't suture - it just leaves in foreign material, and isn't generally necessary.

[EriKingOfTheWorld]

ouch man that was hard to watch haha

[horsesurgeon]

We both know that if you ever need it done, you'll be reaching for my number. Think of the money you would save if you weren't chasing women all the time.

Nice fretwork, by the way.

[hildegain]

@horsesurgeon If I needed it done I would probably die lol

[CHEVYedsf]

very interesting. thanks for posting!

[CHEVYedsf]

@GunnytheBunny1 haha my gelding doesnt know the difference. He's brave as a lion. My friend's stud on the other hand, is a bit of a bitch. lol

[CHEVYedsf]

@EriKingOfTheWorld Ya Im a girl and I was cringing! Im fine watching small animal castrations, but this one was bad for me lmao

[pearl1729]

@jumanji321

you name 'jumanji' doesn't like a girl to me, so i thought you were a guy but it doesn't change for the discussion. i agree when there is a risk of health and other medical issues, also unwanted pregnancy. but human do it when human want but we don't have the right to control other species, this is what i mean. and in many cases, human do it on other animals for some other reasons and not medical or health issues of those animals.

[jumanji321]

@pearl1729 Foals are expensive and some can spread certain genetic diseases like HYPP. I'm also a girl and humans have the option to prevent pregnancy through other means. I would rather remove the risk and not have sick horses, or horses who have post legs, sickle hocks and other fauts that can result in fatal injury after hard work. I also want to prevent injury to myself and the horse if a stud is exhibiting dangerous behaviour.

[pearl1729]

@jumanji321

Why don't you get castrated? you can move around calmer and safer. You can also prevent unfavourable pregnancies. Good idea

[jumanji321]

@pearl1729 It's not a crime against nayure, in fact it can prevent unfavourable pregnancies in mares as well as making the horse calmer and safer to be around. If the stallion has poor conformation then breeding and passing on these genetics increase the odds of his offspring being injured due to structural failure.

[numbifyify]

ouch, my balls, they cry for you

[GunnytheBunny1]

Gentlemen... A moment of silence for the loss of that horse's manliness.