SFXTION VI 



CASTRATION OF SHEEP 



Lambs are generally castrated at about two months 

 of age, and while these animals are not as hardy nor 

 as resistant to surgical interference, as are some ani- 

 mal subjects, under the proper conditions mortalitj' 

 from castration is usually very low. Since the anat- 

 omy directly concerned in the castration of sheep is 

 similar to that of the bull, no description of these 

 structures need be given here. 



Restraint. — Subjects should either be confined in 

 lateral recumbency and held by an assistant as though 

 hog tied, or they may be seated in an upright position 

 and thus supported between the knees of an assistant 

 who may secure within his grasp a front and hind leg 

 on each side of the animal. In this attitude, the dor- 

 sum of the subject is held against the body of the aid, 

 and the scrotal region is thus placed in an accessible 

 position for the operator. 



Technic. — Where the element of time is not to 

 hinder, preoperative clipping of the hair or wool over 

 the scrotum should be done. This is followed liy scrub- 

 bing the parts with a one per cent solution of lysol 

 or Liquor (.'resolis Compositus, and the operation is 

 completed exactly as indicated in the section on cas- 

 tration of the bull. 



After-Care. — Postoperative attention consists in the 

 provision of sanitary and comfortable ({uarters, and 

 since this operation should not be performed during 

 fly-time, no especial after-eare is ordinarily needed. 



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