Early castration in foals: Consequences on physical and behavioural development.
castration
development
foal
horse
morphometric
temperament
Journal
Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
Titre abrégé: Equine Vet J
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0173320
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Mar 2023
Mar 2023
Historique:
received:
09
07
2021
accepted:
07
04
2022
pubmed:
29
4
2022
medline:
9
2
2023
entrez:
28
4
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The impact of very early castration of foals has not yet been studied despite the many positive effects observed in dogs and cats. The objective of the study was to compare castration at 3 days and 18 months and assess their subsequent morphological and behavioural development. This was a randomised, blinded clinical study. Twenty-two Welsh ponies underwent either early (3-day old, EC group, n = 11) or traditional (18-month old, TC group, n = 11) castration. Animals were followed up to 3 years of age. All ponies were castrated using a primary closure technique under general anaesthesia. Weight and morphometric measurements were monitored monthly from birth until 8 months of age in both groups. Then, measurements were taken every 3 months until 2 years of age and then every 6 months until 3 years of age. Temperament tests were performed on all animals when they were 1- and 3-years old. No differences were observed between the EC and TC groups in terms of physical development from birth until 40 months of age or in terms of temperament and behaviour at either 1 or 3 years of age. The study included only one breed (Welsh ponies) and only 22 animals that were castrated before 2 years of age, precluding comparison with castration performed at older ages. We demonstrate that early castration at 3 days does not interfere with morphological or behavioural development.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The impact of very early castration of foals has not yet been studied despite the many positive effects observed in dogs and cats.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to compare castration at 3 days and 18 months and assess their subsequent morphological and behavioural development.
STUDY DESIGN
METHODS
This was a randomised, blinded clinical study.
METHODS
METHODS
Twenty-two Welsh ponies underwent either early (3-day old, EC group, n = 11) or traditional (18-month old, TC group, n = 11) castration. Animals were followed up to 3 years of age. All ponies were castrated using a primary closure technique under general anaesthesia. Weight and morphometric measurements were monitored monthly from birth until 8 months of age in both groups. Then, measurements were taken every 3 months until 2 years of age and then every 6 months until 3 years of age. Temperament tests were performed on all animals when they were 1- and 3-years old.
RESULTS
RESULTS
No differences were observed between the EC and TC groups in terms of physical development from birth until 40 months of age or in terms of temperament and behaviour at either 1 or 3 years of age.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The study included only one breed (Welsh ponies) and only 22 animals that were castrated before 2 years of age, precluding comparison with castration performed at older ages.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that early castration at 3 days does not interfere with morphological or behavioural development.
Types de publication
Randomized Controlled Trial, Veterinary
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
214-221Subventions
Organisme : IFCE
ID : 75000097
Informations de copyright
© 2022 EVJ Ltd.
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