182 The Care of Animals 



are castrated on account of disease, to prevent tliem 

 from breeding, to make them more tractable, to cause 

 them to fatten more easily; and in some animals to 

 improve the qualitj^ of the meat. 



In general, the j'ounger the animals when operated 

 the better they withstand the operation. Colts are 

 usually castrated the spring they are two years old, but, 

 if they are not well developed, it is sometimes better to 

 let them go until they are three years old. Calves, 

 lambs and pigs are usually castrated when a few 

 weeks old, or as soon as they are growing nicely. 

 Heifers are spayed as yearlings or two- 3' ear -olds; 

 sows and bitches at any age after three months. 

 Females should not be spayed when pregnant, or in 

 heat. Animals should not be operated when sick 

 or debilitated. Operating when the weather is very 

 hot or very cold, or when the flies are bad, should 

 be avoided. The spring of the year, when the weather 

 is cool and pasture good, is an excellent time. 



Before operating, the animals should always be 

 examined to determine whether both testicles are 

 "down," that is, in the scrotum, not in the abdominal 

 cavity, and to determine, also, whether there is a hernia 

 or rupture into the scrotum. (Page 179.) Colts with 

 testicles not down are called "ridglings," or "cryptor- 

 chids." (Page 186.) Hernias are more likely to be 

 found in colts and pigs. 



In castrating, the greatest danger to be guarded against 

 is hemorrhage. In small animals this is inconsiderable; 

 in larger animals measures must be taken to prevent 

 this, as the artery that supplies the testicle is large. 



