Animal Castration 



209 



cord. With one assistant at the head and another with left hind 

 leg, the animal is sufficiently secure for the operation. 



Operative Technique — The site of incision is in triangle of 

 flank. This triangle is bound superiorly by transverse processes 

 of lumbar vertebrae. Anteriorly by posterior border of last rib 

 and posteriorly by external angle of illium. The direction of in- 

 cision should be slightly diagonal, extending downward and back- 

 ward. About 11/2 inches is the usual length. (See Fig. 189.) This 

 iiicision should penetrate all coats of the abdominal wall (skin, 

 subcutaneous connective tissue, fascia, external and internal 

 oblique abdominal muscles and peritoneum). With the index 

 finger introduced into the abdominal cavity the uppermost horn 

 is located and drawn out through incision. This horn and tube 

 are followed up — with one finger — until its ovary is located. The 

 ovary is torn loose from its attachment and brought outside the 

 abdominal cavity. (See Fig. 190.) By making limited traction 

 on this horn with one hand, and following it to the biflication Vv'ith 

 index finger on other hand, the opposite horn is located and drawn 



Fig. 190— Bitch Spaying (Flank Method.) 



outside the cavity. With finger inside the cavity the ovary is torn 

 fi'om its attachment and brought outside. The tubes may now be 

 severed with emasculator or they may be ligated with chromacized 

 catgut (10-day). Thoroughly cleanse by sponging with antiseptic 



