NOTE: This form must be read, signed and submitted to the office prior to surgery.
The morning of the procedure, you may feed your horse a normal breakfast, hay, and water. Please ask before administering any medications prior to surgery. Your horse will receive a physical exam that includes ensuring both testicles are descended. The horse will be fully anesthetized and laid on the ground, either on the horse’s side or on the horse’s back depending on doctor preference. In the case that the doctor prefers to perform the surgery with the horse on its back, it is helpful to have hay bales or something similar easily accessible to stabilize the horse on both sides. Please note the appointment is also weather dependent to ensure sterility and a safe recovery from anesthesia.
The cost of a routine castration can range from $530 - $661 depending on pain medication, antibiotics, Tetanus vaccine status and IV catheterization. It is highly recommended to allow your horse to be treated with pain medication, antibiotics and to ensure the horse is up to date on Tetanus in order to decrease the chances of post-op complications. Please note, the farm call fee is NOT included in this estimate. If you have concerns or questions over the cost of the procedure, please call or email the office and we will address any concerns.
For the first 24 hours, please keep the horse confined to a stall or small paddock with no forced exercise. Monitor for excessive bleeding, swelling, discharge or fever. If the horse begins bleeding from its scrotum in a stream, or in other words, you cannot count the drops of blood, please call the office immediately. Additionally, please call the office if you see large pieces of tissue extending from the surgical site. It is normal to have small pieces of subcutaneous tissue or fat, but if you are concerned, please call.
Beginning the second day, please allow the horse to have turn out and ensure the horse is moving with forced exercise such as lunging for 20-30 minutes twice daily for a week. Movement will help decrease the chances of painful swelling. Additionally, please cold hose around the surgical site daily being very careful to not apply the hose directly into the surgical site.
**Please note** Your horse may still be able to breed mares for 60 days after surgery. Please keep separated from mares during this time period.
While rare, complications can occur and include scrotal swelling, seroma, hemorrhage, infection, penile trauma, eventration, or peritonitis. We do everything possible to prevent these possible complications and if you have questions or concerns, please call or email the office.
By signing below, I certify that I have read the information above, agree to the estimated price, understand the potential risks, and thereby, give permission for my horse to undergo surgery.