Animal Castration 77 



Colic — Post-operative colic characterized by abdominal and 

 scrotal pain, and not infrequently by more or less flatulence is a 

 by no means rare occurrence, especially in old stallions and crypt- 

 orchids. 



Treatment — Choral hydrate or fluid extract Cannabis Indica in 

 1 ounce doses at 2-hour intervals until pain subsides. 



Peritonitis — Septic infection is the direct cause of peritonitis 

 as a sequelae of castration. The infection can be introduced at 

 time of operation by contaminated instruments or hands of the 

 operator or it may be of post-operative origin as a result of wound 

 infection from manure and dirt in barnyard or pasture. 



Peritonitis develops most often as a sequelae of cryptorchid 

 ("ridgling") castration than otherwise. It is one of if not the 

 most serious sequelae of castration. 



Symptoms — Peritonitis as a result of sepsis usually ensues 2 

 to 5 days after operation. Its development is characterized by 

 chilly sensations, indisposition to move about, and in the event 

 of moving there is a well marked stiffness and soreness of gait. 

 Restlessness, pawing with the fore feet, and striking at abdomen 

 with hind ones. Abdomen and flanks tucked up and decidedly 

 rigid. Constipation is usually evident, and colicky pains may be 

 shown. Tenderness on pressure to the abdominal wall, partic- 

 ularly shown when this pressure is made in the flank region. Ele- 

 vated temperature (102 to 105 degrees P.), quick breathing, hard 

 and wiry pulse. If death does not ensue in a short time, there is 

 usually an extensive effusion of fluid in the abdominal cavit}^. 



Treatment — Purgatives should never be administered. If nec- 

 essary to secure bowel movement better resort to and depend en- 

 tirely upon enemas. To allay the pain there is nothing better than 

 tincture opium 1 ounce given in capsules at intervals of 4 hours. 

 A mustard plaster applied to abdominal wall is indicated in the 

 majority of cases. 



Prog) ) o s is — Unf avorabl e . 



Azoturia — This is a disease caused by hyper-nutrition and lack 

 of bodily exercise, the development of which — as a sequelae of 

 castration — is extremely embarrassing to say the least of it, Azo- 

 turia never develops where daily exercise either at work or in 

 pasture is allowed. However, with animals that have been well 



