290 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



It is then a great detriment and disfigurement, and 

 measures should be taken to put it right as soon as possible. 



In some cases it is worth while to try various remedies, 

 such as the application of a pessary and sutures, together 

 with the injection of solution of alum, tannin, or other 

 internal astringents, before resorting to amputation, the 

 object being to get recovery without injuring the vaginal 

 walls. When, however, all hope of permanent return has 

 been given up, the prolapsed parts must be excised. The 

 operation is not difficult, and rarely gives rise to bad 

 sequelae if performed properly and the animal is not very 

 much exhausted. 



Operation. — The patient is secured on the operating-table 

 in the abdominal position, or may be held securely in the 

 standing posture by an assistant. The parts, having been 

 thoroughly syringed and cleansed with some antiseptic 

 solution, are dried carefully with cotton-wool, and painted 

 with a 5 per cent, solution of cocaine (unless the patient is 

 already under the influence of some general anaesthetic). 

 Amputation is performed either by the clamp and iron, the 

 ecraseur, or the ligature and knife, according to the will of 

 the operator. 



Judging from several experiences of each way, the ligature 

 seems to be the best if it can be used, the ecraseur being the 

 least preferable, on account of the amount of laceration 

 caused. In all cases care must be taken not to include the 

 opening of the urethra in the part excised. 



After-treatment consists in plugging the vagina with 

 wadding, or syringing with solution of liq. ferri perchlor. 

 and water or adrenalin until haemorrhage has ceased, and 

 afterwards using an antiseptic solution as long as may be 

 considered necessary. The latter is of some considerable 

 importance, as if neglected or unable to be properly per- 

 formed, owing to the animal being very refractory or vicious, 

 a septic infection may take place up the urethra, involving 



