78 Animal Castration 



fed and kept confined in stall it is a condition which we may en- 

 counter at any time when casting and confining such animal. 



On account of the danger of azoturia it is well to know whether 

 the animal has had sufficient exercise before you undertake to 

 operate. 



Symptoms — After the operation is completed and the restraint 

 apparatus removed the animal may fail to rise to his feet alto- 

 gether, or upon rising may be stiff in one or more legs — most fre- 

 quently the hind legs — perspiring freely, evincing pain by pawing, 

 and restlessness. If urine is voided we observe the characteristic 

 "coffee color." Swelling and rigidity of muscles of haunch (Glu- 

 tius Maximus) knuckling in hind ankles, etc., are diagnostic symp- 

 toms of this affection. 



Prevention — Dairy exercise. 



Treatment — Catheterization. Stimulating liniments rubbed on 

 affected muscles. Internally, F. E. belladonna V2 ounce, sweet 

 spirits intra 1 ounce, in capsules, at 2-hour intervals. An aloes 

 purge is sometimes beneficial. If the case is a mild one and the 

 animal can stand upon its feet it is advisable to halter head up 

 to prevent lying down. 



POST-OPERATIVE HEMORRHAGE — PRIMARY AND SECONDARY. 



(a) Primary Hemorrhage — May ensue immediately after the 

 operation from failure of emasculator to close the spermatic 

 artery or from the scrotal plexis of veins being severed with 

 point of knife at time incision is made. 



Treatment — It is only in extremely rare instances that it be- 

 comes necessary to artificially control hemorrhage of this source 

 and character. Nature will, as a rule, relieve the surgeon of such 

 responsibility, provided he will be patient for 20 to 30 minutes 

 and allow her time to do it. It is more often necessary to treat 

 the owner while his animal is bleeding than it is to treat the 

 animal itself. During twenty-one years' experience, in which 

 time more than 14,000 stallions, colts and mules were castrated, 

 not a single animal died as a result of primary hemorrhage, and 

 not a single cord was ligated nor a scrotum packed. If you pro- 

 cure a properly constructed emasculator the next thing is to 

 impose the utmost confidence in it, in which event you will not 



