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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2013; 242(6); 820-825; doi: 10.2460/javma.242.6.820

Incidence, management, and outcome of complications of castration in equids: 324 cases (1998-2008).

Abstract: To determine the incidence of complications and identify risk factors associated with development of complications following routine castration of equids. Methods: Retrospective case series. Animals-311 horses, 10 mules, and 3 donkeys. Methods: Medical records of equids undergoing routine castration were reviewed. Age, breed, surgical techniques (closed vs semiclosed castration and use of ligatures), anesthesia method (general IV anesthesia vs standing sedation with local anesthesia) and repeated administration of IV anesthetic agents, administration of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory drugs, and details regarding development, management, and outcome of complications were recorded. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined. Associations between additional doses of anesthetic agents during surgery and development of complications were analyzed with a Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Results: 33 of 324 (10.2%) equids developed a complication after surgery; 32 recovered and 1 was euthanized because of eventration. Equids that underwent semiclosed castration had significantly higher odds of developing a complication (OR, 4.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.09 to 10.6) than did those that underwent closed castration. Equids that received additional doses of anesthetic agents to maintain adequate general anesthesia developed complications more frequently than those that did not require this treatment. Conclusions: Incidence of complications was low, and most evaluated variables were not significantly associated with development of complications following castration in equids. However, findings suggested that the choice of surgical technique (closed vs semiclosed) is an important factor in this regard. Future studies should investigate whether duration of surgery is associated with complications following castration in equids.
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Publication Date: 2013-03-01 PubMed ID: 23445295DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.6.820Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article analyzes the incidence of complications and identifies risk factors associated with complications following the routine castration procedure in equids, which include horses, mules, and donkeys. The study discovered that the surgical technique used and the additional doses of anaesthetic agents induced during the surgery impact the development of complications post-castration.

Research Design and Methods

  • The study had a retrospective approach and focused on 311 horses, 10 mules, and 3 donkeys that had undergone routine castration. Their respective medical records were carefully reviewed.
  • Variables including equids’ age, breed, the surgical technique employed (closed or semiclosed castration, and the use of ligatures), method of anesthesia, repeated administration of IV anesthetic agents, and the administration of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory drugs were taken into consideration.
  • Also, the development, management, and outcomes of complications were documented.
  • The researchers calculated the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, and examined the associations between the additional doses of anesthetic agents during surgery and the development of complications using a Jonckheere-Terpstra test.

Results and Findings

  • Out of 324 equids, 33 developed a complication after surgery (an approximate rate of 10.2%). One animal had to be euthanized due to a dangerous complication known as eventration of the intestines.
  • The study found that equids that underwent semiclosed castration had significantly higher odds of developing a complication than those that underwent closed castration.
  • Equids that received additional doses of anesthetic agents to maintain adequate general anesthesia were more likely to develop complications compared to those that did not receive such treatment.

Conclusions and Further Studies

  • The study concluded that the incidence of complications post-castration was quite low, and most of the examined variables did not significantly associate with the development of complications.
  • However, the choice of surgical technique (closed versus semiclosed) is identified as a potential risk factor contributing to the development of complications.
  • For further research, the authors recommend studies investigating whether the duration of the surgery is associated with complications following castration in equids.

Cite This Article

APA
Kilcoyne I, Watson JL, Kass PH, Spier SJ. (2013). Incidence, management, and outcome of complications of castration in equids: 324 cases (1998-2008). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 242(6), 820-825. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.6.820

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 1943-569X
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 242
Issue: 6
Pages: 820-825

Researcher Affiliations

Kilcoyne, Isabelle
  • William D. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA 95616, USA. isabellekilcoyne@hotmail.com
Watson, Johanna L
    Kass, Philip H
      Spier, Sharon J

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Equidae
        • Male
        • Odds Ratio
        • Orchiectomy / adverse effects
        • Orchiectomy / veterinary
        • Postoperative Complications / etiology
        • Postoperative Complications / therapy
        • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
        • Retrospective Studies
        • Risk Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 10 times.
        1. Tyrnenopoulou P, Kalatzis D, Kiouvrekis Y, Flouraki E, Folias L, Loukopoulos E, Starras A, Chalvatzis P, Tsioli V, Mavrogianni VS, Fthenakis GC. Development of an Explainable Machine Learning Computational Model for the Prediction of Severe Complications After Orchiectomy in Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 25;16(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani16030377pubmed: 41681358google scholar: lookup
        2. Tyrnenopoulou P, Flouraki E, Folias L, Loukopoulos E, Starras A, Chalvatzis P, Tsioli V, Mavrogianni VS, Fthenakis GC. Complications Following Orchiectomy in Stallions in Field Conditions: Descriptive Results and Predictors in a Study of 612 Cases. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 21;16(2).
          doi: 10.3390/ani16020326pubmed: 41594514google scholar: lookup
        3. Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
          doi: 10.1111/avj.70003pubmed: 40903020google scholar: lookup
        4. Laves J, Wergin M, Bauer N, Müller SF, Failing K, Büttner K, Hagen A, Melzer M, Röcken M. The effect of Traumeel LT ad us. vet. on the perioperative inflammatory response after castration of stallions: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1342345.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1342345pubmed: 39415958google scholar: lookup
        5. Khumsap S, Tangtrongsup S, Towiboon P, Somgird C. GnRH Vaccine Could Suppress Serum Testosterone in Stallion Mules. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 17;14(12).
          doi: 10.3390/ani14121800pubmed: 38929419google scholar: lookup
        6. Vullo C, Crupi R, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S, Gugliandolo E, Biondi V, Catone G. Intratesticular Versus Intrafunicular Lidocaine to Reduce Perioperative Nociception and Immunological Response in Ponies Undergoing Field Castration. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 28;9(12).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9120664pubmed: 36548825google scholar: lookup
        7. Sheats MK, Burke MJ, Robertson JB, Fiebrandt KE, Fogle CA. Development and Formative Evaluation of a Low-Fidelity Equine Castration Model for Veterinary Education. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:689243.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.689243pubmed: 34595227google scholar: lookup
        8. Jarosinski SK, Simon BT, Hatfield R, Matthews NS, Arnold CE. The effects of xylazine or detomidine when used as a pre-anesthetic sedative on recovery quality and duration in horses undergoing elective equine castration. Can Vet J 2021 Sep;62(9):982-986.
          pubmed: 34475584
        9. Salcedo-Jiménez R, Brounts SH, Mulon PY, Dubois MS. Multicenter retrospective study of complications and risk factors associated with castration in 106 pet pigs. Can Vet J 2020 Feb;61(2):173-177.
          pubmed: 32020937
        10. Robert MP, Chapuis RJJ, de Fourmestraux C, Geffroy OJ. Complications and risk factors of castration with primary wound closure: Retrospective study in 159 horses. Can Vet J 2017 May;58(5):466-471.
          pubmed: 28487590
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