294 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



pregnant, and, every few weeks, being a constant source of 

 annoyance and trouble. It usually depends upon some 

 irritable, congested condition of the ovary or uterus. 



The remedy consists in the operation of ovariotomy or 

 ovaro-hystereetomy, if, after fair trial, sedative drugs, such 

 as bromides, fail to act satisfactorily. Sometimes, especially 

 in middle-aged bitches and cats, the beneficial results are 

 not seen until after the ' rutting ' season has passed, and 

 they may even return the following year, but usually, if they 

 do, it is to a much less degree. 



Hysteria. 



This condition is met with in nervous bitches and cats, 

 especially during period of oestrum, the patient becoming 

 very excitable and uncontrollable. Fits, resembling epilepsy, 

 may be noticed. Treatment consists in keeping the patient 

 as quiet as possible and under the influence of bromides, but 

 if these fail, ovariotomy or ovaro-hysterectomy should be 

 performed. 



Oophorectomy and Ovariotomy. 



This operation, commonly spoken of as ' spaying,' is per- 

 formed for certain diseased conditions of the genital organs, 

 and also in healthy subjects, with the object of preventing 

 pregnancy and cestrum. Its effect upon the latter is by no 

 means absolutely certain, as upon several occasions we have 

 observed signs of oestrum in bitches and cats whose ovaries 

 have been wholly removed, the animals even copulating with 

 the male."^ Messrs. Leeney, P. J. Simpson, and Cecil French 

 have also observed the same.^ The term oophorectomy is 

 applied to the operation when the ovaries are healthy, and 

 the term ovariotomy when they are diseased. 



Animals may be operated upon at any age, but from six to 



' Veterinary Record, vol. \ii., p. 15. 



^ Veterinary Journal, vol. xxxi., p. 1 1 ; idem., vol. Ix., p. 31 ; Journal 

 oj Comparative Medicine ; and Veterinary Archives, 1900. 



