Your Full-Service Veterinary Clinic

Pre-Surgical Information

Spaying or neutering your pet is a big step! There is a lot to consider when we are planning your pet’s surgery. Here is some information to help you make wise decisions. Click here . . .

Special Library

Our Special Library is a collection of informative articles on a variety of health topics. Click here . . .

Discharge Instructions

Click here for information on how to care for your pet at home. Click here . . .

Geld Surgery Discharge Instructions

Gelding is one of the most common surgeries we do and is also the surgery most likely to have complications. Good aftercare can dramatically reduce the complications.

The traditional gelding surgery actually has a fairly high complication rate. A study done in an up-scale Equine Surgical Centre in the UK showed a 20% complication rate. Now, this was a fancy hospital working on expensive European thoroughbreds. Granted, many of the complications were not serious, say some excessive swelling or discharge, but nonetheless 20% is a fairly high rate. From surveys done in the US we learn that gelding surgeries are the most common reason veterinarians get sued. The bottom line here is that you can't just cut them and forget them. Aftercare and follow-up are important.

Newly-gelded horses benefit from bute. Bute is an excellent anti-inflammatory for horses that reduces swelling and pain. Give the bute according to the direction on the label.

Starting the day after surgery, your horse needs at least 15 minutes of forced exercise at least once a day. Just turning the horse out will not be enough. You have to get him to move at the trot. You can lunge him, you can pony him, you can ride him, or you can work him in a round pen. Whatever you do, exercise is vital to good complication-free healing. You cannot exercise him too much. The exercise helps with drainage and swelling. If you notice excessive swelling, the very first thing to do is exercise the horse more. The second thing to do is give us a call so we can talk about it.

Good Communications are important. If you have questions or concerns, call us so that we can help you and your horse through any problems that may develop.

Depending on the season, fly control can be important. Just about any fly spray or wipe will be OK, just so you use some.

Hydrotherapy can be very helpful. And by "hydrotherapy," we are talking about cold water from the garden hose. If the patient will allow it, spraying the healing wound can reduce pain and swelling. Don't use lots of pressure, just a gentle hosing is the ticket. Do this daily if the patient accepts it. If the patient is forcibly opposed (and some are), don't do it.

There will be some drainage from the incisions. This is expected and good. The drainage should be heaviest the first few days, and get progressively lighter as time goes by. The drainage should be blood-tinged, thin, and clear. If the drainage is cloudy, milky or yellow, or thick, it could be a problem. Also, if the drainage increases where it was scant before, there may be a problem.

There will be some swelling in the sheath. This is also expected. It will look good the first day and then start swelling, reaching a maximum about the fourth or fifth day. Then it should get progressively smaller. It often looks like there are two tennis balls stuffed in there. That big is OK. Any bigger, and it is a problem. Also, if the sheath swells up bigger than it was before, it could be a problem. The first thing to do is to increase the exercise, the second is to call us.

Your horse should feel good and have a normal appetite throughout. If you notice your horse acting dumpy, lethargic, or stiff and sore, it could be a problem. Also, a decrease in appetite is a bad sign.

So, to sum things up, you can't just cut them and forget about it. Lots of exercise and some bute are the best medicines. If you notice anything amiss, call us sooner rather than later. Try hosing, watch for flies, and enjoy your new gelding.