CHAPTER III. 



'' SPAYING SOWS 



Objects atid Indications — The paramount purpose of this operation is to 

 improve growth, fattening, marketing and slaughter qualities without the 

 handicap of early pregnancy. The economic importance of sow spaying is 

 recognized by many swine owners. Formerly the operation was more 

 generally practised than at the present day. This may be accounted for by 

 the fact that what would have formerly been termed revolutionary methods 

 in raising and marketing hogs are now in vogue in the great swine-raising 

 sections of the Middle West and Central States. This practice enables 

 swine owners to grow, fatten and market hogs as early as six to ten months 

 of age, and is becoming more universal each year. Of course under such 

 circumstances spaying is not an essential operation. However, in the South 

 and Southwest the older methods of swine-raising still prevail to a limited 

 degree, hence in this section the operation of spaying is still practised 

 to a limited extent. 



Age — The operation is best performed at foiir months of age. However, 

 it is permissible any time from sixty days old to maturity, or even old 

 age. 



Season — Sows should not be spayed during fly time nor in extremely cold 

 weather. It is best to operate in the fall, early winter and spring. 



Preparation — One of the most important essentials to success in spaying 

 sows is to have the alimentary tract absolutely empty before undertaking 

 to operate. This is best accomplished by withholding feed for from twenty- 

 four to thirty hours previous to operating. During this time there is no 

 special objection to allowing the animal free access to water. The danger 

 of septic infection can be greatly minimized by providing clean quarters 

 before and after operation. Another essential is not to allow the boar access 

 to the sows previous to spaying. It is best not to operate during the estral 

 period. Pregnancy is a contra-indication to successful spaying. 



Restraint — Proper restraint technic is as essential in spaying sows as in 

 almost any other operation in animal surgery. This operation calls for the 

 simple and easily applied, rather than the intricate methods often employed 

 in other operations. The method of restraint used must of course depend 

 upon whether the flank or the belly operation is to be performed. If the 

 abdominal cavity is to be invaded from below (belly method) the most 

 simple and satisfactory restraint consists in looping a strong cord (window 



