What is castration, and why is it important?

Introduction

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Castration is the surgical removal of the testes from a male mammal through an incision either in front of the scrotum or through it. The technique is referred to as an 'open' castration technique and can also be referred to as neutering or Orchiectomy

What is the importance of castration?

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1. Prevent male fertility and associated behavioural responses.

A dog showing behavioural response

2. Treatment of certain diseases influenced by male sex hormones, e.g.,

1. Prostate diseases

2. Perineal hernias or

3. Perianal rupture.

3D image: Urogenital System

Ultrasound: Dog Prostate gland

X-Ray: Perineal hernia - dog

Perineal hernia

Perineal rupture

Perineal cancer and rupture

3. Treatment of cancer (neoplasia), e.g.,

1. Cancer of the testes, epididymis or scrotum

2. Perianal cancers (adenomas/adenocarcinomas),

Epididymis of a dog

Testicular cancer in a dog

Perineal cancer in a dog

4. Treatment of Orchitis/epididymitis i.e., inflammation of the testes or the epididymis.

Inflammation of the testes and the epididymis

5. Treatment of genetic (congenital) problems, e.g., abdominally retained testicles (cryptorchidism). Cryptorchidism is where a male dog's testicles do not completely descend into the scrotum. Descent to the final scrotal position is complete by two months of age, otherwise, if by six months of age the testicles have not descended, they are considered to be cryptorchid or retained.

An English Bulldog, both testicles have descended into the scrotum

An image showing only one testicle having descended into the scrotum. (Springerlink)

A cryptorchid dog with the retained testicle within the abdomen about to be removed (Canis)

6. Treatment of trauma to this region.

7. Treatment to control epilepsy

How is the aftercare after surgery?

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1. Post-operatively, the dog is put on painkillers

2. Antibiotics are given routinely to control infection after castration.

3. The wound is protected in some dogs by providing an Elizabethan collar to prevent interference with skin sutures.

4. Stitch removal, if skin sutures are used, in 7-10 days.

Cat with an Elizabethan collar

Dog with an Elizabethan collar

What are the potential complications?

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1. Haemorrhage (bleeding) from slipped or misplaced stitches or undiagnosed bleeding disorders.

2. Scrotal hematoma (scrotal swelling).

3. Infection or wound opens

4. Scrotal skin reaction.

What are the long-term complications?

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1. Hormonal (Endocrine) alopecia - loss of hair.

2. Hyposomatotropism is a rare complication of castration. Hyposomatotropism is a deficiency in the release of pituitary growth hormone (somatotropin), resulting in short stature

References

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Gourley, J. (1998). Early neutering of cats and dogs. The Veterinary Record, 142(9), 228-228.

Michell, A. R. (1998). Neutering and longevity in dogs. The Veterinary Record, 142(11), 288-288.

Poole, C. (1998). Early neutering of cats and dogs. The Veterinary Record, 142(9), 227-228.

Thornton, P. D. (1998). Early neutering of cats and dogs. The Veterinary Record, 142(8), 200-200.

Fausak, E. D., Rodriguez, E., Simle, A. E., Merman, N., & Cook, D. (2018). Does the Use of Intratesticular Blocks in Dogs Undergoing Orchiectomies Serve as an Effective Adjunctive Analgesic?. Veterinary Evidence, 3(4).

Bigham, A. S., Karimi, I., Shadkhast, M., Imani, H., & Khaghani, A. (2009). Left intrainguinal canal cryptorchidism concurrent with two pathological findings in a mixed-breed aged dog. Comparative clinical pathology, 18(4), 463-466.