Animal Castration 



211 



Fig. 193 — Protection of Wound After Spaying. 



solution everything that is outside the abdominal cavity, after 

 which replace the stumps of tubes and suture up with two or three 

 "through and through" sutures. (See Fig. 191.) Special care 

 should be exercised to see that the peritoneum is included in 

 sutures. Bitches after spaying should have the wounds protected 

 as a safeguard against infection as well as tearing out sutures with 

 the teeth. Two methods of wound protection are illustrated in 

 Figs. 192 and 193. 



After Care and Treatment — The bitch should be confined in 

 small sanitary quarters for 6 or 7 days. Exercise during this pe- 

 riod is harmful and oftentimes dangerous. Remove sutures in 

 from 3 to 5 days, depending upon condition of wound. 



Sequelae — The chief sequelae to be faced are septic peritonitis, 

 shock, internal hemorrhage, hernia and anorexia. 



1. Septic Peritonitis. The cause of septic peritonitis may be 

 attributed to uncleanliness on part of surgeon while operating, un- 

 clean hands, contaminated instruments, failure to properly cleanse 

 and disinfect site of operation, etc. While the bitch possesses con- 

 siderable more immunity to septic infection than some other ani- 

 mals, nevertheless it behoves the operator to be on the constant 



