VAGINAL OVARIECTOMY IN THE COW 2S7 



Vaginal Ovariectomy in the Cow. 



INDICATIONS. — The vaginal operation in ruminants 

 although possible only in full growns, is the preferable one 

 for milch cows, because there is no external wound to com- 

 plicate matters. In the yearling and smaller two-year olds 

 the vagina is too small to admit the hand and instruments, 

 but in the full grown cow the size of the vaginal tube is 

 ample. 



The object of the operation already referred to is chiefly 

 that of increasing the duration of the period of lactation. 

 Ordinarily the milch cows of our dairies fail in their milk se- 

 cretion after a few months, and at the end of ten to twelve, 

 they gradually dry up until the next parturition. During the 

 interval between the periods of profuse lactation the cost of 

 maintenance often exceeds the receipts from the meager 

 supply. The loss accumulating during oestrum, during the 

 last months of gestation and during convalescence from par- 

 turition is entirely prevented by spaying. The spayed cow 

 becomes tractable and amiable in disposition, gains flesh on 

 limited rations, gives an abundance of milk for twenty-four 

 ■to thirty-six months, and at the end, when the secretion 

 finally becomes unprofitable, is readily fattened for beef pur- 

 poses and as such brings a much higher price than the ordin- 

 ary cow. While the spaying of cows with this end in view 

 has not been extensively practiced, the observations already 

 made, show clearly its wisdom where the production of milk 

 is the chief desideratum. 



The proper time to operate is two to three weeks after 

 the second parturition, or even after the third calf has been 

 born. The object of the postponement is to allow the udder 

 to develop to its full physiological capacity. The mammae 

 after the first birth are small and incapable of producing a 

 profitable amount of milk, and as they undergo no further 

 development after spaying, the best results are obtained in 

 cows having fully developed udders: 



RESTRAINT. — The operation is performed in the stand- 

 ing position. The head is secured in the stanchion and the 

 body between two blanks constructed in the form of a narrow 

 stall. A railing on either side higher up than the lateral 

 blanks serves to fasten ropes or slings which pass under the 

 body to prevent lying down. The nose may be managed with 

 the leading ring and the hind legs to prevent kicking are 

 tied with ropes or hopples. • The tail is either tied or held 



