228 SURGICAL DISEASES 



The feathers over this region should be removed, and the skin 

 j)ul]ed to one side before making the incision. An incision about 

 one and one-half inches in leng-th is made through the skin and 

 muscles, and the spreader inserted. The sharp hook is then 

 inserted and the thin serous membrane over the intestine is torn 

 through. The testicles are situated in the superior portion of 

 the abdominal cavity or under the back. On pushing the intes- 

 tines to one side, both testicles, which are about the size of a bean 

 and yellowish in color, can be seen. The lower one should be re- 

 moved first. After removing both testicles, blood clots, feathers, 

 or any foreign body that may have gotten into the wound should 

 be picked up with the tweezers before removing the spreaders 

 and allowing the wound to close. N^o special after-treatment is 

 required. 



The most common complication is rupture of the spermatic 

 artery. This occurs at the time the testicle is torn loose and may 

 be due to careless methods, or operating on cockerels that are 

 too large. If all of the testicle is not removed from the abdominal 

 cavity, the bird is termed a " slip." Sometimes air puffs form 

 after the operation. These should be punctured with a sharp 

 knife. 



Ovariotomy, " Spaying." — The removal of the ovaries, or 

 ovariotomy, is practised for the purpose of rendering the female 

 more useful for meat production, j^rolonging the period of 

 lactation, overcoming vicious habits and preventing oestrum or 

 heat The operation is commonly performed in the heifer and 

 bitch, occasionally in the mare, and at present rarely in the sow. 



Heifers are usually spayed between the ages of eight and 

 twelve months; the bitch and sow when a few months old, or 

 before the periods of heat have begun. The mare is spayed 

 when mature. It is' possible to spay the female at any age, but 

 the ages mentioned are the most convenient. Pregnant animals 

 should not be operated on. The season of the year makes little 



