120 ANIMAL CASTRATKJN 



gauisni and nervous temperament. Few persons appi'C- 

 ciate this finer nature of tlie cat and its susceptibility to 

 fear and strange environment. Females are confined by 

 being- rolled in a l)lanket or shei't until completely anes- 

 thetized, when they may be supported l)y means of tapes 

 or bandages, the same as indicated loi- dogs. 



Anesthesia. — For the producing of complete anes- 

 thesia which is necessary for spaying, A. C. E. in pro- 

 portions of one part alcohol, two parts chloroL'orm and 

 three parls ether, constitutes a very satisfactory prep- 

 aration, and it is desirable to give 1-500 to 1-250 grain 

 atropin sulphate one-halF hour l)efore giving the anes- 

 thesia. iMkaloidal salts of opium when used in suffi- 

 ciently hirge dosage to effect narcosis, are too likely to 

 r:isult in over-excitenient with more or less delirium. 

 This is, therefore, not to l)e considered as a satisfactory 

 agent. 



Preparation of the Surgical Area. — Tjaparotomy for 

 spaying may be clone either in the median line or in the 

 I'egion of the flank, though the flank route is preferable 

 for the reason that cats are vei'y inactive when sub- 

 jected to conflnement after operating, and generally 

 assume and retain the position of sternal recumbency. 

 While in this position the constant tension and pressure 

 upon the wound seems to be conducive to necrosis and 

 sepsis, whereas a flank incision is so situated that less 

 strain is brought to bear upon the structures, and little 

 or no pressure is exerted upon the area of surgical in- 

 vasion. 



A liberal aiea in the flank region is next thoroughly 

 lathered and sha\ed and the skin dried and painted 

 with tincture of iodin. Coal tar derivatives are to be 

 avoided as an1isej)lics, as cats are very susceptible to 

 compounds containing cresylic acid. A 1 to 5000 solu- 



