Your opinions & reviews of castration procedures - open, closed or Henderson Tool

[M]

Has anyone had the closed procedure or Henderson tool used to geld a colt? How did it go? Would you recommend and use the same procedure again?

The Henderson Tool looks so tidy with the least collateral damage to tissue.

I plan to have my coming 3 yr old colt gelded. He is located in the SF bay area. I will certainly appreciate recommendations for local vets with expertise doing closed castrations. Same for the Henderson tool though I doubt there is an equine vet in N Ca who uses it. Know of any?

[roseymare]

When you refer to closed do you mean the scrotal incision is closed?
I ask this because open and closed castration in Veterinary terminology typically refers to if the tunics are are removed/incised to facilitate better visualization and thus ligation/clamping of the blood vessels.

[yourcolorfuladdictio]

With a 3 yr old, you should be looking for a vet that is talented with more developed testicles as opposed to what tool they use. My vet prefers the double crush emasculator. It provides a quick and effective castration with only limited time with the horse laid out. Be aware that the longer the horse is down the greater the risk of complications afterwards. Most vets do a closed procedure unless otherwise needed and generally the incision remains open to allow drainage.

[pluvinel]

I would look for a vet that was willing to do a standing castration…

I know of someone whose horse was successfully gelded, then horse freaked out coming out of anaesthesia and had to be put down.

[yourcolorfuladdictio]

The horses gelded at the clinic here are all knocked out with ketamine and the goal is to get it all done before you need another dose. Most horses come out of it just fine.

[Ghazzu]

[QUOTE=pluvinel;8481466]
I would look for a vet that was willing to do a standing castration…

I know of someone whose horse was successfully gelded, then horse freaked out coming out of anaesthesia and had to be put down.[/QUOTE]

I know of a veterinarian who was seriously injured, and an owner killed during a standing castration

[roseymare]

I would look for a veterinarian who does horse castration.
Let him/her use the method that they prefer.

There is some studies at one time that suggested there may be less recovery time and swelling if done with similar technique as dogs but with scrotal ablation. I am thinking that is what the OP may have been referring to with the closed statement.
The drill tool seems a better choice for cattle but I am sure it works well for many who use it.

[roseymare]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;8481606]
I know of a veterinarian who was seriously injured, and an owner killed during a standing castration[/QUOTE]

Probably been more than one.

[M]

[QUOTE=roseymare;8480191]
When you refer to closed do you mean the scrotal incision is closed?
I ask this because open and closed castration in Veterinary terminology typically refers to if the tunics are are removed/incised to facilitate better visualization and thus ligation/clamping of the blood vessels.[/QUOTE]

As per an article by UC Davis - Equine Castration Complications Reviewed
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31956/equine-castration-complications-reviewed

Three different surgical techniques; open, closed or semi-closed. When an open castration is performed the parietal tunic (the sac or lining surrounding the testis) is incised allowing direct crushing or emasculation of the spermatic cord. Using the closed and semi-closed techniques the parietal tunic is removed with the testis.

I’ve not seen the closed procedure done nor a horse in recovery so I do not have a clear picture closed or semi-closed. I have had only the standard open castrations on my stallions - one adult was done standing and a colt, late 2 - 3yrs old, who was laid down and had traditional surgery. Open wound.

There are some different descriptions inline and different recommendations.
Hoping for a quicker, more comfortable recovery for this boy. He is a little distance away so taking care of him personally every day may not be possible. (He would still be taken care of)

[M]

Pluvinel, I did have one done standing. It went well. The other was laid down. This was long ago and the vet gave him Valium first and he just laid down like he was going to nap. I’ve never seen it so easy - I do miss that vet. Then she gave medication for the surgery. He had a cover over his eyes while out and he awoke nicely when done.

Horses do vary as to their reactions to different drugs and vets vary too.

[froglander]

My horse was a coming three-year old when he was gelded. Mustang, about 4 months out of the wild. It was early spring so the vet decided to lay him down. Procedure went smoothly, made sure he got daily exercise in the round pen and never really had an issue with swelling. (I have pics I could share, hehe)

A friend’s gelding, was maybe 2-ish? was gelded standing in his stall. That also went smoothly (same vet). Lol, vet also neutered the barn cat on a bale of hay while he was there.

[gumtree]

We usually geld 3+ every year and as many as 7 in one session. All are done here on the farm. All are done laid down and with the Henderson tool. Which I refer to as the ‘drill’. Because the ‘Henderson tool’ is an attachment that is used in a standard cordless drill.

This year we gelded two late 2 year olds, 1 yearling and one late 3 year old. Only one (a 2 year old) had a minor issue of with the incision closing/blocked and the associated swelling due to not being able to drain. Simple to clean and get things back in order. The other 3 had no issues. Within 2 weeks everything looked like any other gelding.

We have gelded a fair amount using the Henderson tool with little to no complications. I see no reason to do it any other way. I have seen some nasty handling situations when done standing. The extreme being what Ghazzu pointed out. The ‘risk-reward’ doesn’t merit the standing method IMO and experience. I would bet any vet that has done both would agree also.

Because of the ‘dis-associative’ nature of ketamine a horse can ‘snap out of it’ suddenly especially one that requires a lager than normal dose. The person at the horse head should have superior handling skills and be on their toes and ready to handle any situation in a moments notice. We have only had 2 snap out of it quickly and suddenly but I have plenty of experience dealing with unruly horses.

The bottom line between ‘closure’ which has to be done, should be done at a clinic and ‘in-house’ with the Henderson is the cost. In a clinic it can cost upwards of $2,000 depending on how long the horse remains in the clinic. In-house a few hundred dollars at most. We get a ‘bulk’ discount around $100 per horse.

I took a video of the complete Henderson procedure and was thinking of posting on our farm FB page. But decided against because the ‘nuts’ might start falling out of the trees. It is pretty graphic and hard for most males to watch. I turned my head while videoing.

[Mosey_2003]

I just had a five year old pony gelded and my vet used an emasculator to crush the cords. He recovered fine, even though he was reluctant to move enough for me.

[pluvinel]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;8481606]
I know of a veterinarian who was seriously injured, and an owner killed during a standing castration[/QUOTE]

You have to know your horse. I stand by my statement.

A well-mannered stallion who allows sheath cleaning and handling of his “parts” while hanging his head in boredom should be a candidate when give appropriate sedation and local anesthesia.

A rammy colt with minimal handling, that runs over the handler and generally has no manners will not be.

If you have a valuable (or just well loved) animal, one should consider the risks of general anesthesia…then make the decision.

The same way you know of people injured/killed in a standing castration, I know someone who lost a beloved stallion because he severely injured himself coming out of general anesthesia following a castration.

If you have a well behaved horse that respects its handler, it is a pleasure to work around, allows people to provide it with medical care or administer procedures regardless of whether it has its male parts, then that is probably a candidate for a standing castration.

[Ghazzu]

[QUOTE=pluvinel;8481773]
You have to know your horse. I stand by my statement.

A well-mannered stallion who allows sheath cleaning and handling of his “parts” while hanging his head in boredom should be a candidate when give appropriate sedation and local anesthesia.

A rammy colt with minimal handling, that runs over the handler and generally has no manners will not be.

If you have a valuable (or just well loved) animal, one should consider the risks of general anesthesia…then make the decision.

The same way you know of people injured/killed in a standing castration, I know someone who lost a beloved stallion because he severely injured himself coming out of general anesthesia following a castration.

If you have a well behaved horse that respects its handler, it is a pleasure to work around, allows people to provide it with medical care or administer procedures regardless of whether it has its male parts, then that is probably a candidate for a standing castration.[/QUOTE]

I was merely making the point that there can be unpleasant occurrences whichever method is chosen.

I used to do standing castrations. Then I met a now good friend who was a LA anesthesia tech–she was horrified that I was doing them standing, and offered to run anesthesia for me when needed. I haven’t done one standing since.

FWIW, she was a teaching tech at 2 veterinary schools, and said they stopped doing standing castrations because of the human risk.

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;8481974]
I was merely making the point that there can be unpleasant occurrences whichever method is chosen.

I used to do standing castrations. Then I met a now good friend who was a LA anesthesia tech–she was horrified that I was doing them standing, and offered to run anesthesia for me when needed. I haven’t done one standing since.

FWIW, she was a teaching tech at 2 veterinary schools, and said they stopped doing standing castrations because of the human risk.[/QUOTE]

U-Penn New Bolton feels the same. They started using the Henderson tool around 10 years ago. Our horses were some of the first they used it on. We do a fair amount of business with them and I have a great relationship with a couple of their head surgeons. They discussed using the ‘drill’ and reasons the first time we went that route. All were more than reasonable, little to no concerns on my part. Given the fact one of their top surgeons would be performing the procedure I had no reservations. We allow all of our gelding sessions to be used as a ‘teaching’ session also. A lot of students and interns attend. Along with the surgeon and assisted by a ‘field’ vet or two also.

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;8481974]
I was merely making the point that there can be unpleasant occurrences whichever method is chosen.

I used to do standing castrations. Then I met a now good friend who was a LA anesthesia tech–she was horrified that I was doing them standing, and offered to run anesthesia for me when needed. I haven’t done one standing since.

FWIW, she was a teaching tech at 2 veterinary schools, and said they stopped doing standing castrations because of the human risk.[/QUOTE]

U-Penn New Bolton feels the same. They started using the Henderson tool around 10 years ago. Our horses were some of the first they used it on. We do a fair amount of business with them and I have a great relationship with a couple of their head surgeons. They discussed using the ‘drill’ and reasons the first time we went that route. All were more than reasonable, little to no concerns on my part. Given the fact one of their top surgeons would be performing the procedure I had no reservations. We allow all of our gelding sessions to be used as a ‘teaching’ session. A lot of students and interns attend. Along with the surgeon and assisted by a ‘field’ vet or two.

[SonnysMom]

[QUOTE=pluvinel;8481773]
You have to know your horse. I stand by my statement.

A well-mannered stallion who allows sheath cleaning and handling of his “parts” while hanging his head in boredom should be a candidate when give appropriate sedation and local anesthesia.

A rammy colt with minimal handling, that runs over the handler and generally has no manners will not be.

If you have a valuable (or just well loved) animal, one should consider the risks of general anesthesia…then make the decision.

The same way you know of people injured/killed in a standing castration, I know someone who lost a beloved stallion because he severely injured himself coming out of general anesthesia following a castration.

If you have a well behaved horse that respects its handler, it is a pleasure to work around, allows people to provide it with medical care or administer procedures regardless of whether it has its male parts, then that is probably a candidate for a standing castration.[/QUOTE]

I don’t see how the difference in temperament makes a difference. The problem is that the sedatives can disorient them. They can momentarily panic and snap out from under the anesthesia. Even a good horse with great manners can hurt you badly if they are momentarily disoriented and panic. Add in the discomfort/pain of the procedure an that ups the ante. If the vet is under the horse or partially under the horse when they freak out or jump quickly it can be a bad situation.
I can see it not being worth the risk for the vet.

My gelding has great ground manners. He had an adverse reaction to some banamine and hit his head. The vet eventually had to tube him. Even with the twitch he suddenly freaked out and reared up. His feet were as high as the top of the 6 foot stall wall. It can happen to the best of them.

[Fourbeats]

My vet used the Henderson method on my colt as well and it was by far the easiest castration ever. Almost no swelling and a very speedy recovery.

[roseymare]

The decision of wether to use closed, open or semi closed needs to be made by the surgeon at the time of castration. It is dependent on variables.
If you decide you want to use the drill technique find someone who uses that method exclusively.
The horse who had an adverse reaction to the drugs used to lay him down could have just as easily had a reaction to the drugs used for a standing castration. The other deterrent tobstanding castration is the difficulty of visualization of the cord.