Animal Castration 79 



become unduly alarmed every time a stallion or colt bleeds freely 

 for a few minutes after castration. Remember that it is impos- 

 sible to do a bloodless operation with the emasculator. If you are 

 expecting a bloodless job you will as a rule be disappointed ex- 

 cept in extremely enemic colts. If you are afraid of hemorrhage, 

 remember that the only method of operation in which yon do not 

 get more or less blood is the antiquated ligature. If a stallion 

 bleeds freely after castration operation the best way to proceed is 

 to place him in a box stall, shut the door and go with the owner to 

 dinner. After dinner take a leisurely smoke with the owner — this 

 usually consumes about an hour's time— after which examine the 

 patient and you will find that nature has come to your rescue and 

 hemorrhage has ceased. 



(b) Secondary Hemorrhage — This form of hemorrhage inva- 

 riably ensues from the spermatic artery and contrary to primary 

 hemorrhage is dangerous, and may result in death of animal un- 

 less controlled. It usually occurs from one to six hours after 

 castration ; however, it sometimes occurs several days after oper- 

 ation. Hemorrhage of this character is usually caused by dis- 

 eased conditions of the arteries (Haemophilia), increased heart 

 action, sloughing of spermatic cord, etc. The blood comes in 

 spurts directly from the artery in a good size stream. 



Treatment — Nature cannot be depended upon to control this 

 class of hemorrhage. Sometimes it is possible to apply haemo- 

 static forceps to mouth of the bleeding vessel. When this can- 

 not be done with the animal in standing posture then cast and 

 secure the patient in dorsal position, thoroughly cleanse the parts 

 with antiseptic solution and make an effort to ligate the artery. 

 This should always be done with chromicized catgut (10 day). 

 If silk or any other form of unabsorbable ligature material is used 

 a scrotal fistula is liable to result. In the event it is found impos- 

 sible to locate and ligate the artery, then you would be justified in 

 packing the canal and scrotum with sterile gauze and suturing 

 the skin incision. Remove the packing in 24 hours, after which 

 irrigate parts once daily with antiseptic solution. 



Oedema of Sheath and Ventral Surface of Abdomen — Oedema 

 as a sequelae of castration (See Fig. 53) is a condition which we 

 may reasonably expect in the great majority of instances, espe- 



