CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY. 



CHAPTER I. 



GENERAL RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE 

 PATIENT BEFORE AND AFTER A SURGICAL 

 OPERATION. 



Wherever possible, it is better, though not absolutely neces- 

 sary, that the patient should be prepared before passing through 

 the ordeals of ansesthetisation and operation. If the animal has 

 been recently removed from its owner and placed amongst fresh 

 surroundings, such as the infirmary of the operator, it is always 

 wise to allow it to get accustomed to the strange place and 

 attendants, and to make sure that the dog or cat has a good 

 appetite and is feeding well. If there is fever, catarrh, or other 

 signof ill health, the operation, unless the case is an urgent one, 

 should be postponed. The action of the bowels and kidneys 

 should be watched, and if the former are at all constipated a 

 dose of laxative medicine about twenty-four hours, or an enema 

 about two hours, before operating, is a wise precaution. The 

 laxative chosen, however, should not be one which will cause 

 nausea, griping, or loss of appetite. Castor oil or liquorice are 

 suitable, and for the enema either warm water and soap or 

 glycerine and water answer the purpose well. 



Immediately before some operations it is necessary to repeat 

 the enema, and to withdraw the urine where possible by the 



