The hunt for the perfect castration in horses : techniques and tissue reactions

Sammanfattning

Castration is frequently performed in stallions, primarily for husbandry purposes. To ensure animal welfare, any discomfort during the procedure must be minimised. However, castration techniques and peri- and postoperative management practices vary widely, and the quality of evidence regarding their associated complications is limited. This makes it challenging to make an informed decision regarding the most appropriate method. This thesis aimed to provide evidence-based guidance to veterinarians and horse owners in selecting the optimal castration technique for individual stallions.

Medical records were analysed to assess the castration techniques and perioperative medications used in Sweden. Additionally, the tissue reactions to a resorbable device, designed to facilitate ligation during standing castration, were evaluated using ultrasonography and histology. The extent of tissue trauma associated with a sutured castration technique was objectively measured using a biomarker sensitive to inflammation (SAA).

In ambulatory practice, standing castration using an open, un-sutured technique was the preferred method, and perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis was associated with a reduced risk of surgical site infection (SSI). In hospital settings, a closed, sutured technique performed under general anaesthesia and sterile conditions was the most common approach. In this setting, antimicrobial prophylaxis did not reduce SSI rates.

The ligation device caused a mild and transient tissue reaction, but its mechanical properties require further refinement before clinical application.

Sutured castration induced an inflammatory response with low SAA-values, minor swelling, and no SSI, indicating that the technique caused minimal surgical trauma and represents a high-quality procedure.

Nyckelord

animal welfare; antibiotics; antimicrobial resistance; castration; equine; SAA; stallion; technique; tissue response

Publicerad i

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2025, nummer: 2025:23
Utgivare: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU författare

• Sjöberg, Ida

  • Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Klinisk vetenskap

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.41qeb963eg
• ISBN: 978-91-8046-458-1
• eISBN: 978-91-8046-508-3

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132963