CASTRATION OF THE SMALL ANIMALS.
SMALL RUMINANTS.
For these subjects, two modes of operation are to be principally recommended. The first is the double subcutaneous torsion; the other the ligature en masse of the cord and its envelopes. Having already considered these operations, a passing reference will suffice here.
FOR SWINE.
In males, the varying modes employed are the ligature, limited torsion, and the clamps.
Fig. 41.
GENITAL ORGANS OF A YOUNG SOW.
(Median and antero-posterior section). 1—Ovary. 2—Horn of the uterus. 3—Body of the uterus. 4—Rectum. 5—Vagina. 6—Bladder. 7—Kidney. 9—Intestines. 10—Stump of one of the horns of the uterus.
Fig. 42.
BISTOURY FOR THE CASTRATION OF SOW.
(Division of the flank).
In females, it must be remembered that the horns of the uterus are very long and flexuous ([Fig. 41]), and that the very small ovaries are situated on the inside of the broad ligaments, which are very large, and allow the horns to float freely amongst the circumvolutions of the intestines. The animal must be prepared by being secured upon the right side in order to expose the left flank. The incision is made with a knife of peculiar form ([Fig. 42]), the coarse bristles having been previously closely clipped off. Care should be taken to carry the left leg in extension backwards, in such a manner that the edges of the various tissues divided shall not meet each other when the operation is completed. The incision may be made either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely. When vertical it should be immediately below the lumbar vertebra next to the last rib; if horizontal it should be parallel with the vertebral column. The vertical incision should be preferred, because it brings the ovaries within easy reach of the fingers. It should be from two to three inches in length, and should be made by a single stroke of the knife, and without dividing the peritoneum, which should, afterwards, be either torn with the finger or carefully cut while raised with the forceps. To find the ovaries the operator introduces the index finger of the right hand between the vertebral column and the intestines, and explores the lumbar region. Upon finding the ovarian sac, he presses it against the abdominal wall and causes it to slide by pushing towards the opening through which it is extruded and grasped. While it is held there the left horn is carefully drawn out after it, until arriving at the bifurcation of the horns at the uterus, the right horn also is brought out and the ovary on that side secured. Both glands being now outside, they are torn or scraped off from their attachment, and the horns are returned to the abdomen.
While this process is readily applicable to young sows, and requires a certain amount of practice to be performed expertly and with success, it is slightly modified when applied to older animals. In that case the two horns must not be exposed outside together, but each must be returned when the removal of the ovary connected with it has been effected.
The simple tearing of the ovaries is not always sufficient, and may be sometimes followed by serious hemorrhage. The scraping and the torsion are safer, and in some instances the ligature has been applied. The incision is closed with the interrupted or, which is preferable, the continued suture. No special after-treatment is required beyond low diet for a few days, with a little extra attention to cleanliness.
The operation may at times be rendered difficult by exceptional and accidental conditions, as, for example, the shortness of the fingers of the operator. This difficulty, however, can be overcome by placing a bundle of straw or other substance under the right flank, which, by raising the body displaces the intestines upwards and crowds the ovary towards the left flank.
It may also happen, as sometimes with old sows, that the ovary has become the seat of large cysts, or that its size is increased in consequence of pathological changes in its structure. In the first case, the cyst may be punctured and emptied with a trochar before attempting the obliteration of the organ. In the second, the opening into the abdomen must be enlarged sufficiently to permit the exit of the extra bulk.
If through inadvertence the operation has been begun while the animal is in a state of pregnancy, the proceeding must be discontinued, the patient kept quiet and the matter indefinitely postponed.
Fig. 43.
GENITAL ORGANS OF THE BITCH.
1—Ovary. 2—Fold of the broad ligament, displaced to expose the ovary. 3—Internal fold of the same. 4—Broad ligaments. 5—Horn of the uterus. 6—Its body. 7—Rectum. 8—Vagina. 9—Kidney. 10—Bladder. 11—Descending colon.
DOGS.
The male is altered by either the process of excision, torsion, or ligature, according to the age and size of the animal.
In the female, when, as is sometimes supposed, it becomes a preventive measure in respect to hydrophobia—though if it be so, it can only be from the fact that a castrated bitch will usually remain at home while others are running abroad in heat, and thus being more exposed to contagion—the operation is only justifiable in the case of house dogs, domestic pets, in order to obviate the annoyance caused to their owners by their demonstrations while in heat. In the bitch the broad ligaments are very long ([Fig. 43]), extending as far as the hypochondriac region, where they divide into an external layer, which reaches to the last rib, while the other extends to the sub-lumbar region behind the diaphragm. The broad ligaments diminish in height as they run forward in such a way that the anterior border of the external layer where the ovary is found, shorter in its median part, gives a certain amount of fixity to the anterior extremity of the horns which it keeps elevated in each hypochondriac region; on that account both horns cannot be at one time brought through the incision, and it becomes generally necessary in the bitch to operate on each side.
The manipulations are similar to those followed in spaying sows, with the exception that the incision is made lower, more forward and nearer to the last rib.
CASTRATION OF FOWLS.
The effect of this operation upon the quality of the flesh and the power of accumulating fat, in the domestic fowl is a fact too familiar to those who have learned to appreciate the exquisite juicy quality of the meat of the capon to need any comment at our hands. The operation upon these animals is one of considerable difficulty and requires skill and experience to perform with nicety and success.
In birds the testicles are situated in the abdominal cavity, immediately behind the lungs, under the vertebral column and in front of the kidneys (Fig. 44). They correspond exactly to the articulation of the last three ribs with the spinal column, where they lie close together and in contact with the blood vessels which separate them from the kidneys. They are held in position by the peritoneum spread above them, and by minute blood vessels, branches of the aorta or of the vena cava.
Fig. 44.
GENITAL ORGAN OF THE ROOSTER.
1.—Testicle. 2a, 2d.—Deferent canals. 3.—Ureters. 4.—Cloacum. 5.—Posterior aorta. 7.—Posterior vena cava. 8, 9, 10.—Three last ribs. 11.—Pelvic bones.
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In the operation the fowl is placed on his side, the tail being towards the operator, with the hind leg carried backwards, in order to expose the flank of the side selected for the incision. The first step of the operation consists in plucking the feathers from a sufficient extent of surface, and making an incision a little behind the lateral internal processes of the sternum, from within outwards, and from before backwards, and slightly oblique, through the skin and the thin muscles of the abdomen, and when reaching the peritoneum carefully opening it with a puncture, having it raised with a pair of forceps. The second step, or that which involves the extirpation of the gland, is performed by the introduction of the index finger of the right hand into the abdomen, passing it above the intestinal mass and turning towards the dorsal region near the articulation of the last two ribs, where the testicles are felt, prominent at the sub-lumbar region. Then, with the fingers half flexed, the adhesions of the organ are broken off, and the organ, held in the bend of the finger, is brought outside. The second testicle is removed by the same process. If the testicles should slip from the grasp of the finger, the accident is of little account, as they will graft themselves upon the walls of the abdomen, and in time disappear by resolution. The operation is concluded by the closing of the wound by stitches of interrupted suture, and the healing usually takes place by first intention.
The operation is performed in the hen in the same manner as with the male bird, the ovaries being found in the lumbar region, from which they are removed by the same manipulations that are employed in caponing.
Young fowls about in their third month, are usually selected as the victims of this epicurean barbarity.