Animal Castration 131 



CHAPTER X. 



CASTRATION OF THE DOG. 



Objects and Indications— The principal object to be attained 

 in castrating the dog is to deprive him of his nightly habit of "visit- 

 ing the society female members of the canine species in his 

 neighborhood and oftentimes in some other male dog's neighbor- 

 hood." Castration has the direct and immediate effect of inducing 

 a male dog to be contented with his home surroundings. The only 

 other reason for castration would be for the relief of certain path- 

 ological conditions of the scrotum, testicle, inguinal canal and 

 penis. 



Age— Dogs can be safely castrated at almost any age. However, 

 the younger the better. Puppies may be easily castrated at 4 

 weeks old. 



Season— The selection of season does not play any important 

 part in castration of the dog. The operation may be done at any 

 season. 



Preparation — None. 



Restraint — Alwa3^s apply a tape muzzle to begin with. Small 

 dogs can be easily and safely held by an assistant as shown in 

 Figure 101. The fore and hind legs are crossed over one another 

 and held tightly. The index finger of each hand is crossed under 

 the throat and the thumbs are passed back behind the head. In 

 this position and held in this manner the scrotum is available and 

 the operation may be safely proceeded with. 



Large dogs may be held by two or more assistants or they may 

 be secured by tying the legs together as illustrated in Figure 105. 

 The operator should stand out of range of the strong stream of 

 urine which is sure to come as soon as the knife strikes the 

 testicle. 



Instruments — 1. Williams' castrating knife. (Figure 2.) 

 2. Canine and feline emasculator (Figures 102 and 103.) 



