12 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



at a very early age, it is best to select the earliest 

 convenient time. Swine also are most successfully al- 

 tered when very young. Sheep and goats are not 

 capable of withstanding surgical interference to the 

 same extent as cattle, and are best castrated at or 

 about two months of age. Dogs and cats are castrated 

 merely as a matter of domestic convenience, and in the 

 majority of instances, since these animals are kept for 

 pets or companions, the operation is best and easiest 

 for the subject at or about the age of six months. In 

 the unsexing of females, reasons for operating deter- 

 mine in a measure, the age most suitable. Heifers are 

 spayed, if possible, before experiencing their first 

 estral period, and the same is true of female swine, 

 dogs and cats. Where the operation is done by the 

 method of Charlier, the animal needs to attain a suffi- 

 cient degree of development to enable the operator to 

 comfortably manipulate instruments within the vaginal 

 canal. Long deferment of this operation, however, is 

 not likely to bring at once the desired result of ab- 

 sence of the sexual instinct in the previously bred fe- 

 male of some species. 



Season and Age for Castration 



The season best suited for castrating depends some- 

 what upon climatic conditions, existent vulnerable 

 agencies, and customs fixed because of the element of 

 convenience necessary in proper handling of the sub- 

 jects. In those latitudes where insect life or other 

 vulnerable agencies frequently cause an unfavorable 

 outcome, castration should be done in the spring of 

 the year. Where animals are sent to pasture for the 

 spring or summer months, the operation is more con- 

 veniently done before they are turned out. In other 



