CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



CHAPTER I 



GENERAL RULES FOR TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT 

 BEFORE AND AFTER A SURGICAL OPERATION 



Wherever possible, it is better, though not absolutely 

 necessary, that the patient should be prepared some time 

 before passing through the ordeals of ansesthetization and 

 operation. If the animal has been recently removed from its 

 owner and placed amongst fresh surroundings, such as the 

 infirmary of the operator, it is always wise, when possible, 

 to allow it to get accustomed to the strange place and 

 attendants, and to make sure that the dog or cat has a good 

 appetite and is feeding well. If there is fever, catarrh, or 

 other sign of ill-health, the operation, unless the case is an 

 urgent one, should be postponed. The action of the bowels 

 and kidneys should be watched, and if the former are at all 

 constipated, a dose of laxative medicine about twenty-four 

 hours, or an enema about two hours, before operating is a 

 wise precaution. The laxative chosen, however, should not 

 be one which will cause nausea, griping, or loss of appetite. 

 Castor-oil or liquorice are suitable, and for the enema either 

 warm water and soap, or glycerine and water, answer the 

 purpose well. 



Where an abdominal operation involving the stomach or 

 intestine is anticipated, and the condition of the patient wiU 



