Livestock Veterinary Services, part of the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, provides livestock castration and field surgery services for cattle, sheep and goats. Services are delivered both on‑farm and in hospital, depending on the procedure and clinical requirements.
Castration is the removal of the testicles of male livestock and is commonly performed to prevent the development of bull‑ or ram‑like behaviour and to assist with temperament management. It is typically carried out when animals are young as part of routine livestock management.
Routine castration is generally a quick and uncomplicated procedure and may be performed on‑farm or in a clinic setting, depending on the animal and circumstances. It is usually carried out under sedation, with a typical recovery period of around one week.
In some animals, one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum and instead remain within the groin or abdominal cavity. These animals are referred to as cryptorchids, sometimes also known as “rigs”.
Removal of retained testicles is more complex than routine castration and usually requires diagnostic assessment beforehand to confirm the presence and location of the retained testicle.
Cryptorchid castration is typically performed surgically under general anaesthesia and is usually undertaken in a hospital setting, such as at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, where appropriate facilities and monitoring are available.
Our ambulatory veterinary vehicles are equipped to manage a range of common surgical procedures in livestock species directly on‑farm, where clinically appropriate.
Field surgical procedures may include:
Each animal is assessed to determine whether field surgery is suitable or whether referral for hospital‑based surgical care is required.
The decision to perform surgery on‑farm or in hospital depends on several factors, including:
Your veterinarian will discuss the most appropriate option for each case.
Castration is commonly performed when animals are young, although timing depends on species, management practices and veterinary advice.
Routine castration is usually carried out under sedation to support animal welfare and safe handling.
Most animals recover within approximately one week, although recovery time may vary between individuals.
A cryptorchid animal has one or both testicles retained within the groin or abdomen rather than in the scrotum.
Cryptorchid castration is usually performed in a hospital setting under general anaesthesia due to the complexity of the procedure.
Common field procedures include caesarean sections, displaced abomasum correction, wound repair and lump removals, where appropriate.
No. Some cases require hospital‑based facilities, advanced diagnostics or general anaesthesia and will be referred accordingly.
