i6o CAXINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



misfortune would be very likely to cause tension upon the 

 sutures, and even rupture, protrusion of intestine, and death. 



In two instances which came under the author's personal observation 

 this accident occurred. A retriever dog, upon which laparotomy had 

 been successfully performed five days before, was surreptitiously given a 

 hearty meal by its owner, with the result that the abdominal sutures burst 

 open and the intestines escaped ; and in a second case a very valuable 

 bull bitch lost her life a week after laparotomy, when all danger seemed 

 past, by \omiting \'iolently after an injudicious meal. 



Pro^nwsis is excellent, provided rigid attention is paid to 

 antisepsis ; and as a general rule, beyond the removal of 

 the cutaneous sutures four or five days later, the wound 

 requires no further attention. Hernia may result in about 

 4 or 5 per cent, of cases, but is generally traceable to some 

 neglect of detail, and now and then a buried silkworm gut 

 suture gives rise to irritation, and requires to be removed. 



The median line is preferable wherever it can be con- 

 venientl}' used, because (i) there is less tissue to cut 

 through ; (2) less hemorrhage, the bloodvessels here being 

 few and small ; (3) if infection takes place and pus collects 

 in the abdomen, it has a better chance of draining away ; 

 and (4) healing is very rapid, provided that septic infection 

 does not take place. In fact, union by first intention 

 can generally be assured. 1 



Accidental Injuries involving* the Abdomen. 



Small animals are continually receiving injuries to the 

 abdomen, especially from being kicked or struck violently, 

 from the wheels of motor - cars and other vehicles, gun 

 accidents, and from contact with spiked palings. The last- 

 named is apt to inflict an ugly wound, through which the 

 omentum and intestines maj^ make their exit. The prognosis 



1 The conclusions arrived at in this chapter are the result of an 

 experience of more than 380 carefully recorded abdominal sections in dogs 

 or cats, in the majority of which union of the abdominal wound was 

 obtained by first intention. 



