AMPUTATION OF THE TAIL 221 



the wound should be treated with tincture of iodin 

 until healed. 



Amputation of the Tail 



Amputation of the tail may be performed by two 

 methods: (1) circular incision through the skin mus- 

 cles and vertebral joint; (2) the flap operation. 



Amputation by Circular Incision. — Place the pa- 

 tient in the abdominal position, and have ready hair 

 clippers, large scalpel, tape, gauze, bandage, and 

 tincture of iodin. Clip the hair from the tail and 

 paint with tincture of iodin. Pull the skin back 

 toward the root of the tail and tie a piece of tape 

 tightly round the tail, close to the body. Locate a 

 joint, and with one cut of the scalpel sever skin 

 muscles and articulation. Paint with iodin, apply a 

 gauze dressing, and bandage. Remove the tape in 

 eight hours and pull the skin down over the stump. 

 Disinfect daily until healed. Healing occurs by 

 granulation. 



The Flap Operation. — This is the more surgical 

 method and is to be preferred in old dogs, and in 

 the large breeds. Place the patient in the abdominal 

 position and induce general anesthesia by H-M-C 

 and chloroform. For instruments and materials have 

 ready a scalpel, razor, scissors, artery forceps, needles 

 and sutures, tape for tourniquet, gauze dressing, and 

 bandage swabs, all to be sterilized by boiling. 



Technic. — The tail is to be shaved and disinfected 

 in the usual manner. Form ±wo flaps by semi- 

 elliptical incisions and dissect them away from the 

 bone back to the next joint. Disarticulate the joint, 

 pick up and twist the arteries, and suture the flaps 

 together. Dress with gauze, and bandage. Remove 

 the tourniquet in eight hours. 



