Animal Castration 201 



CHAPTER V. 



BITCH SPAYING. 



Objects and Indications — Bitches are submitted to spaying 

 operation for the purpose of preventing "heat" and pregnancy, 

 both of which are necessarily preceded by obscene and vulgar 

 behavior which is particularly objectionable to home folks as well 

 as neighbors. A bitch in "heat" is an ideal illustration of a 

 private as well as public nuisance. She is undesirable at home 

 and unwelcome abroad. To obviate this, spaying is the only re- 

 course. The spayed bitch is a more desirable animal in many 

 respects than the unspayed one. She remains contented at home. 

 She is always present and ready when called for. She is more 

 kind, docile and reliable than the entire bitch. 



Age — In order to secure the best results it is advisable to spay 

 the bitch puppy before she comes in heat the first time. The pref- 

 erable age is 3 to 6 months. Aged bitches which have given birth 

 to several litters of pups previous to spaying sometimes "come in 

 heat" after they are spayed. Whether or not such jjhenomenon 

 is an acquired habit the author is unable to say. 



Season — Winter, spring and fall. 



Preparation — An empty alimentary tract is one of the most 

 important adjuncts to spaying. Food should be withheld for 36 

 hours previous to time of operating, and if there is the slightest 

 evidence of constipation a dose of castor oil should be administered 

 12 hours before spaying. 



Methods of Operating — There are two well defined methods of 

 operating, viz. : Flank method and belly method. They both have 

 their ardent advocates. Some good surgeons prefer and advocate 

 the belly method while some better surgeons strongly indorse the 

 flank method. The author greatly prefers the belly method. 



Anaesthesia — With qualified and trained assistants and hos- 

 pital facilities at hand the operation should be performed under 



