CHAPTER IV. 



EWE SPAYING 



Objects and Indications — Sheep spaying is rarely ever practiced in this 

 country because of the fact that the ewe is more valuable as a breeding 

 animal than for mutton purposes. Spayed ewes mature earlier, grow larger 

 and take on fat faster than unspayed ewes. On this account they are some- 

 times spayed for fat stock show and exhibition purposes. 



Aye — Two and one-half to three months is the age of choice. 



Season — Late winter and earty spring. 



Preparation— Empty alimentary tract by withholding feed for twenty- 

 four to thirty hours previous to operating. 



Position — Hanging. 



Restraint — The ewe is exceedingly docile and submits readily to opera- 



Fig. 177 — External and internal genital organs of the ewe. G, vnlva; H, vagina; 

 I, uterus; J-J, horns; K-K, ovaries; L-L, broad ligament. 



tion. With a small rope or a large cord looped above each hock the aninial 

 is suspended from a hook or beam. The field of operation should be on a 

 level with the breast of the operator. 



Instruments — 1. Curved scissors (Fig. 35) for clipping wool from the 

 site of incision. 2. Miles' hooked knife (Fig. 25). 3. Swine and sheep 

 emasculator (Pig. 80). 4. Hagedorn's needle, half circle. No. 3 (Fig. 84). 

 5. Eichter's needle-holder (Fig. 34). 6. Braided silk No. 12 for suturing. 



Anatomy — The conformation and anatomical relation of the internal 

 generative organs of the ewe are almost identical with those of the cow 

 except on a much smaller scale. The abdominal wall at the site of incision 

 is very thin and exceedingly delicate. 



