Castration Aftercare

 
 2.  A slight amount of occasional drainage from the incision sites is normal, as is swelling of the prepuce area.  If the swelling exceeds the size of an orange, this usually indicates that the horse is not receiving enough exercise.  Swelling over the incision is not usually normal and may indicate infection or closure of the incision, which does not allow drainage.  EXERCISE IS IMPERATIVE TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SWELLING.

  3. FORCED exercise is necessary as postoperative swelling and pain limits the horse’s willingness to move.  If it becomes necessary, ride, lunge, or by other means forcibly exercise the horse 20 to 30 minutes twice daily.

 4.  If your horse exhibits excessive swelling, soreness, depression, or lack of appetite, take his temperature and call us immediately if his temperature is above 102.0 degrees F.  (A temperature in this range may indicate infection.)

 
5. At the time of surgery, your horse was given a “booster” tetanus immunization.  After surgery, antibiotics are not usually needed unless prescribed by the surgeon or unless complications arise.

6. Healing should be completed in 14 to 21 days.  If necessary, fly repellent ointment may be applied around the incision (not directly to the incision).  There are no sutures that require removal.

7. Mature horses may still be capable of impregnating mares for several days after castration, due to retained spermatozoa in the ducts leading to the penis.  Therefore, it is best to separate recently gelded horses from mares for at least 30 days.