CASTRATION OV THE DOG 117 



as for spaying, and exploratory laparotomy done, ex- 

 posing the hernial opening, breaking down adhesions 

 if any exist and the wonnd then closed as has been de- 

 scribed in the techniciue for spaying. 



Eventration. — In some cases where the snbject has 

 not been bandaged, or where for some reason the wound 

 occasions pain, the animal has been known to remove 

 sutures with the teeth before adhesion of the wound 

 margins has taken place. Sometimes eventration re- 

 Milts and exposure of a large ])i)rti(in of the intes- 

 tine and omentum may occui'. Such cases are to be 

 handled along general surgical principles, the exposed 

 viscera thoroughly cleansed with sterile water or with 

 a normal saline solution, and if not irreparably injured, 

 the parts are then replaced and the wound again 

 sutured. Some operators use wire sutures in the skin 

 to prevent this occurrence. Cases of eventration are 

 very rare from this cause, however, where a reasonably 

 careful technie has been observed. 



Recurrent Estrum. — Recurrence of the estral period 

 after the operation is seen in some cases. It is claimed 

 by some that this condition occurs even when the opera- 

 tion has been properly performed, but we consider this 

 an excuse for the execution of a faulty technie, con- 

 toiding that if every portion of the ovarian tissue 

 is removed, thei'e will be no recurrence of estrum re- 

 gardless of the age of the animal at the time of the 

 operation. 



If post-operative estral periods manifest themselves, 

 it is necessary to do an exploratory laparotomy making 

 a large free incision ample to permit a careful and com- 

 plete visual examination of the peritoneal cavity. This 

 is done only after all the precautions have been ob- 

 served as heretofore described for spaying, and a suffi- 



