Behavioral and orthopedic issues in geldings with Postcastration adhesions: A retrospective study of 35 cases

Limited data is available on the diagnostic and therapeutic methods for pathologies caused by scarring after castration. It is well recognized that specific behaviors or untypical hindlimb lameness may be observed in geldings with gelding scars and adhesions caused by spermatic cord remnants after castration OBJECTIVES: To describe how to diagnose movement disorders associated with excessive adhesions caused by spermatic cord remnant after castration and to present a successful surgical treatment method.

To assess the impact of gelding scars on horses' movement and behavior, medical record data were collected from 35 geldings who underwent surgical treatment for excessive gelding scars. Following non-specific behavioral and clinical signs were observed: reluctance to move forward, bucking, resistance to work, lumbar pain, gluteus spasm, tensed iliopsoas muscles, inguinal pain, and unexplained hind limb irregularity. Presented geldings underwent surgical treatment.

Histopathological evaluation of the removed tissues showed evidence of chronic inflammation. The length of the removed spermatic cord remnants ranged between 6 and 24 cm. The detailed method for qualifying horses for surgical procedures and the outcomes of surgical treatment have been shown to be effective in 94.3 % of cases.

Histological examination was performed on only 4 out of 35 cases. The study did not include a control group. Symptom severity was not measured using a validated scale.

Horses involved in sports and leisure activities may experience unrecognized pain-related changes in their gait and behavior due to adhesions following castration. However, surgical intervention for these postcastration adhesions and inflammatory tissues is a safe and effective solution to restore their well-being.