Researchers Evaluate Henderson Equine Castration Instrument

When it comes to equine surgical procedures, even the most "routine" hold the risk of complications. Take castrations, for instance: "Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in equine practice," explained David G. Levine, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. But, he added, castration complications are one of the most common causes of malpractice claims.

 

Levine, a staff surgeon at New Bolton Center, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's large-animal hospital, in Kennett Square, explained that many veterinarians believe using a tool called the Henderson equine castrating instrument results in fewer castration complications. And at the 2014 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10 in Salt Lake City, Utah, he presented the results of a study evaluating complication incidence associated with use of the this instrument.

 

Castration complications range from mild to life-threatening and can include pain, hemorrhage, edema (fluid swelling), and evisceration (protrusion of the intestines through the surgical site), among others.

 

Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.