Having My colt gelded on Monday-Help!

[flump]

Having my little colt gelded (hopefully!) on monday but everyone keeps telling me different stuff!
Do i need to change his bedding? He is on shavings, cant use straw but can get carboard or paper.

Will he need more lead outs? He is turned out now for 10 hours a day and gets x2 lead outs on top of that just for educational purposes

Anything else I will need to know?!

 

[Fii]

If you can i would turn him out 24/7 after gelding, it is better that he can move about so that he does'nt swell to much.
But if you really can't, straw would be better.

 

[FairyLights]

can you turn him out 24/7? my colts were gelded 4 weeks ago and the vet insisted that they are out 24/7 to help with the swelling and possible infection. I would advise changing the bedding to straw as shavings will stick to the wound. Is there a particular reason you cannot use straw? cardboard will be scratchy ,maybe paper would be better if you really cannot get straw. The wound will take about a month to heal. it will improve after a few days but you will get drips if clearish stuff, the colt may also loose a blood clot a few days after gelding which will slightly open up the wound again. Have you discussed after care with your vet?

 

[Fii]

Sorry just seen you cant use straw, cardboard/ paper should be all right.

 

[flump]

def not allowed straw at yard so would crboard be better than shavings?

Also not allowed 24/7 turnout but could increase his turnout from 6am to 9pm

 

[flump]

can you turn him out 24/7? my colts were gelded 4 weeks ago and the vet insisted that they are out 24/7 to help with the swelling and possible infection. I would advise changing the bedding to straw as shavings will stick to the wound. Is there a particular reason you cannot use straw? cardboard will be scratchy ,maybe paper would be better if you really cannot get straw. The wound will take about a month to heal. it will improve after a few days but you will get drips if clearish stuff, the colt may also loose a blood clot a few days after gelding which will slightly open up the wound again. Have you discussed after care with your vet?

No havent discussed with vet yet, usually would discuss after care with my mum but she isnt here, will he be on anti-biotics when its done? Just thinking if he is i'll need some sugar beet!
what is the cleaning routine for it, or do you just leave it unless it goes horrid?

 

[navaho]

We are having our 2 colts gelded tomorrow! The main thing we have always done is turn out as much as possible (ideally 24/7), though im sure 10hrs a day should be fine & leave the wound well alone, just keep an eye for any swelling, obviously you will get some but if he starts looking like an elephant down there call your vet, the last one we had gelded did swell up terribly, how he walked with it ill never know poor boy, thankfully it went down as quickly as it went up. As Fii said straw would be better as its not so likely to get into the wound. Good luck & hope it goes ok

 

[FairyLights]

yes ,mine were given an injection which lasted 3 days then they had antibiotic powder in their feed daily for 3 days after that. Could you discuss the turn out with the yard owner? it would only be for a month.if its definately impossible then he should be out as much as possible. alligator,are you sure about the hibiscrub? the wounds are quite raw and i dont think its a good idea,if only from the getting kicked point of view. my vet didnt say any after care was neceesary like that,only 24/7 turn out into a non-muddy field and the antibiotcs in the feed and keep an eye out,a bit of dripping is ok ,he mentioned the blood clot loss and said if we saw bright red blood then to get onto the surgery right away. fortunately eveything seems to have gone well so far.

 

[flump]

Thanks everyone, going to ask if he can have 24?7 turnout as this would solve the straw problem too! Will he be ok to be turned out with his pal or should he just be quietly next to something rather than in with?

 

[navaho]

if you have 24/7 turnout, then get him out ASAP after the Op
give him his meds, hibi-scrub his "bits" twice a day.... and dont worry or fuss

Ive used about 4 different vets over the years & never been given anything to put in their feeds & definitely advised to leave wound well alone. Basically after care consists of checking their bits & that is it, just let nature takes it course.

 

[xloopylozzax]

i wouldnt want to be having them gelded this time of year, flies etc anyway

and do not wash it. leave it well alone, leave scabs on etc water carrys pathogens, hibiscrub is too harsh.

turn out is best, as is having them done stood up, just cos then they dont have side affects from GA.

 

[flump]

i wouldnt want to be having them gelded this time of year, flies etc anyway

and do not wash it. leave it well alone, leave scabs on etc water carrys pathogens, hibiscrub is too harsh.

turn out is best, as is having them done stood up, just cos then they dont have side affects from GA.

I have no choice but to have him gelded now, i took advice from people on here and found him a field but sadly he will be out next to mares so he will need to be gelded..other option was to sell but dont need another little baby making machine out there to be passed around and covering crappy mares, making crappy horses!

 

[FairyLights]

I've never heard of anyone washing the wound before. OP please ring your vets tomorrow and ask lots of questions! they are the best people to advise. Hope all goes well.

 

[flump]

I've never heard of anyone washing the wound before. OP please ring your vets tomorrow and ask lots of questions! they are the best people to advise. Hope all goes well.

Thankyou!

 

[navaho]

2 day AB's and 3 day Danilon
if swelling, then wash twice daily with hibi for 48 hours

nature doesnt castrate

Surely all the vets ive used cant be wrong though? Ive used 4 different practices (about to use my 5th) to geld my colts, ive had alot done over the years & advice is always the same. Never ever interfere with the wound, they always have an antibiotic jab at time of gelding but that is it. I had my first colt gelded nearly 20 years ago & advice had never changed. I do think vets in some areas do go a bit OTT though, we had out 3yr old colt gelded in the field at home yet i hear of some people having to take their colts of this age to the vets to be done...bonkers!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

you will be fine and so will he! your vet is your best advisory, he will geld the colt and give you advice, and drugs if necessary. your colt/gelding will be given long actin antibiotics, and some pain relief at the time of op. turnout will help with swelling (which is perfectly normal) vet may also give you a few days bute/danelon to ease the pain. legs may lok a little blood spattered for a few days that is fine. please talk to your vet on the day. you are anticipating the worst case scenario, and i am sure you will both be fine, and your vet is only a phonecall away after a gelding!

 

[navaho]

no, your vets cant be wrong, its just the way they/you do things

but i've had 100's of colts cut over the last 35 years..and believe me, if i had an operation, i would prefer a little pain relief in the first 24 hrs post op, and a little AB's ..just in case
as for the hibi scrub wash...its what i've always done..and i will continue to do..to ward off flies and dirt/crap

I do appreciate where your coming from with the AB's & the pain relief, i just go with what my vets say & give me....they might surprise me tomorrow, you never know This time tomorrow i will have 2 very sorry little boys to look after lol, but its the best thing for them & will ensure a better future for them.

 

[navaho]

Good luck with your boys

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

I had my little mini done just literally 2 weeks ago, he got an an anti b jag and chucked him out, washed him the next day and gave him a bute injection for the swelling and 2 weeks on he's doing a o k

 

[Natch]

nature doesnt castrate

 

[AmyMay]

Op you must follow the guidance your vet gives you, as you don't have the experience to do anything else. Unlike other posters on hear that do - whichever method suits.

Do try and get him out 24/7 but with company, obviously.

 

[Maisy]

My colt was given ABs and i was told to put the end of a hose *inside* the wound to flush it out daily for a month. IIRC, it was because he was hairy (it was November when he was gelded, so thick winter coat) and the vet was concerned about the hairs getting in the wound. I had no problems with swelling or infection.

I am sure your vet will advise the best after care for YOUR horse within the rules on YOUR yard. I don't think its the kind of thing that people on here can advise you on really, as no one knows how your horses op will go or how he will cope.... (my boy needed a stitch as vet nicked a vein or something!?).

I'm sure he will be fine!

 

[Tinseltoes]

Years ago my colt was gelded outside and then few hours later turned back into the field.He turned out just fine.

 

[FairyLights]

just calling in to see if OP has contacted her vet and asked questions about turnout,bedding,hibiscrib or not etc. and what the replies were.

 

[Brandy]

I have had numerous colts gelded over the years, none have had any medication and there has been no aftercare required such as washing. I would certainly not use hibiscrub as it is really quite harsh and will dry any skin out.

Turnout is the main thing, to help keep the swelling down, although I have also had a 2 and 3 yr old semi feral ponies gedled and they were confiend to stables due to their absolute wildness! (with vets agreement)

It is not the best time of year to geld - always prefer the colder weather as there are less flies so I woudl ask vet about the best way to deal with any fly issues.

 

[flump]

just calling in to see if OP has contacted her vet and asked questions about turnout,bedding,hibiscrib or not etc. and what the replies were.

Spoken to vets and they said he should be fine on carboard and it can be hibiscrubbed, but not to worry and fuss too much unless there are obvious sighns of complications..pretty much what a40 said.

Y/O said cant be turned out 24/7 as the 24/7 paddocks are electric taped and its mares galore so a. i probably wont ctach him and b. he will prob go through/under/over electric tape!

Will update you all on monday, thanks for all replies!

Forgot to add he will be living out at night and in in the day so he can be led out in day but wont have to worry about flies then either!

 

[FairyLights]

Thanks for the update,its all looking good.