Western Counties Equine Clinic Ltd
Standing Castration Post-operative Care Information
After the castration is completed, the horse will be still be drowsy and this will last for
another 30-60 minutes. Please keep him quiet during this time, either in his stable or
yard. The wound will not have been sutured close, this is to allow for blood and fluid
drainage. Fluid and blood will drip from the wound, and some clots will hang from
the wound and fall out, dripping should stop within 30-60 minutes after the surgery is
finished. Please keep the horse in for the remainder of the day and that night, to allow
him to recovery from the sedation. It is important to put the horse out the next
morning as exercise is essential in preventing excessive swelling and promoting local
drainage.
What should I look out for?
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Excessive bleeding in the first few hours after surgery.
Anything hanging out of wound site that does not look like a blood clot (piece
of gut or fatty looking tissue).
There will be some swelling around the wound and sheath, this will be greatest
5 days after the surgery. If after 5 days the swelling does not decrease, or at
any time moves up the hindlegs towards the tail base please contact the clinic.
If infection does occur, it will be evident most likely 7-10 days after the
surgery. Signs to watch out for include – generally off colour, stiffness, high
temperature, off feed.
What are the possible complications with surgery?
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Excessive haemorrhage – blood dripping should stop within 30-60 minutes.
Excessive local swelling – exercise is important to promote drainage.
Local infection – watch for stiffness, off feed, not right in himself.
Scirrhous cord – results from infection ascending the spermatic cord, look for
local swelling and a pus discharge from the wound.
Eventration – small intestine descending through the inguinal canal and out of
the scrotum – usually occurs immediately after or within a few hours of
surgery or in rare cases may occur several days later.
If you are concerned about your horse, please do not hesitate to call the clinic: