Neutering

Question 1

What are indications for a bitch spay?

Answer 1

• Elective =
  -prevent misalliance / seasons
  -Prevention of disease - ovarian / uterine neoplasias / pyometra
  -reduce risk of mammary neoplasias
  -pseudopregnancies
• Treatment of disease = pyo, neoplasia, c-section, aid in control of diabetes mellitus + idiopathic epilepsy

Question 2

What are benefits / disadvantages if early gonadectomy?
What are contraindications?

Answer 2

• Advantages =
  -simpler + fewer complications
  -reduce chance of mammary neoplasias
  -behavioural benefits
• Disadvantages =
  -increase chance of joint disease
  -May effect behavioural development
  -anaesthetic risk
• Contraindications =
  -Juvenile vaginitis
  -urinary sphincter mechanism incontinence

Question 3

How would you perform a bitch spay?

Answer 3

1. Check female + not lactating
2. Prep for abdominal surgery = dorsal recumbency + clip + aseptic prep
3. Midline coeliotomy - umbilicus 5-15cm caudally
4. Identify uterine horns + exteriorise
5. Stretch / break suspensory ligament
6. Ligate ovarian blood vessels

Question 4

What are complications of bitch spays?

Answer 4

• Haemorrhage - over-zealous strumming of suspensory ligament, ligature failure, more common in large dogs
• Ureteral entrapment
• Ovarian remnant syndrome
• Wound related syndrome
• Anaesthesia related complications
• Adhesions

Question 5

What should you do if bitch spay is bleeding?

Answer 5

• Stay calm
• Compress site + call for help
• Extend surgical excision to increase exposure
• Find bleeder

Question 6

What are differences between a bitch + cat spay?

Answer 6

• Cat spay = midline approach + flank (right lateral recumbency)
• Tie legs back in cat spay

Question 7

What are indications for dog castrate?

Answer 7

• Population control
• Management of aggression / behaviour
• Reduce risk of testicular neoplasia / benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Tx of =
  -perianal adenomas
  -perineal hernia
  -testicular torsion, neoplasia

Question 8

How is a dog castrate carried out?

Answer 8

• Check 2 descended testicles
• Dorsal recumbency + pre-scrotal prep
• Push one testicle cranially to pre-scrotal area
• Incise over the testicle and exteriorise
• Open / closed technique (open = through vaginal tunic)
• Three clamp technique
• Repeat on other side
• Closure (tunic if incised, sub-cut + skin)

Question 9

What are complications of dog castrates?

Answer 9

• Peri-incisional bruising
• Seroma / wound complications
• Intra-abdominal haemorrhage
• Iatrogenic urethral damage
• Infection or scrotal abscessation

Question 10

What is the procedure of a cat castrate?

Answer 10

 Check it’s male!
 Lateral recumbency, clip or pluck hair
 Lower testicle first
 Incise over testicle, through all layers to testicle (include tunica vaginalis)
 Hand-tie ductus to the vessels
 Do not close skin
 Repeat for upper testicle

Question 11

What are post op considerations?

Answer 11

• Buster collar / baby-grow
• Restricted exercise
• Monitor wound for signs of inflammation / infection
• ANALGESIA