Surgical contraception Flashcards by Leah Stevenart

In what species is female surgical neutering commonly done?

Bitch, queen, rabbit +- rodents & guinea pigs

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What are the three main types of surgical contraception in females?

Ovariohysterectomy – Removal of ovaries & uterus

Ovariectomy – Removal of ovaries

Hysterectomy – Removal of uterus

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What are the advantages of female surgical neutering?

Eliminates oestrus behaviour (except in hysterectomy)

Prevents pregnancy

Reduces risk of mammary neoplasia, ovarian & uterine diseases

Prevents pseudopregnancy

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What are the possible risks of female neutering?

Increased risk of some neoplasias (osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma)

Urinary incontinence (more common in certain breeds)

Weight gain due to hormonal changes

Coat texture changes & possible behavioural shifts

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Under what conditions can the uterus develop disease after an ovariectomy?

If uterus was already abnormal (e.g. cystic endometrial hyperplasia)

If ovarian remnant is left, leading to continued hormone production

If exogenous reproductive steroids (e.g. oestrogens for urinary incontinence) are given

If there is hormone-producing neoplasm (e.g. adrenal tumour, rare)

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of pre-pubertal neutering?

Advantages:
- Prevents first oestrus & mating
- No risk of pseudopregnancy
- Easier, faster surgery with quicker recovery
- May reduce urinary incontinence risk

Disadvantages:
- Smaller animals → Higher risk of anaesthetic overdose
- Delayed growth plate closure → Increased risk of fractures.
- May lead to underdeveloped sexual organs
- Possible higher risk of obesity

(There is current move away from pre-pubertal neuter because early age neuter increases risks esp of some neoplasias & joint diseases)

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When is the best time to spay a bitch?

Most common: At least 12 weeks after first oestrus (anoestrus period)
- Spaying before 12w can lead to pseudopregnancy

Avoid neutering during oestrus (increased vascularity)

Spaying too early may increase long-term disease risks

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When is the best time to spay a queen?

Avoid oestrus, as reproductive tract is more vascular & friable

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How does timing of neutering affect the risk of pseudopregnancy in the bitch?

Spaying in luteal phase (Day 30-70) causes sharp progesterone drop, increasing prolactin → iatrogenic pseudopregnancy

Spaying in anoestrus avoids this issue

If pseudopregnancy occurs, treat with prolactin inhibitors

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What are the different methods of castration used in common species?

Orchiectomy (Castration) – Most species

Vasectomy – Teaser rams

Crushing of spermatic cord – Calves

Ischaemic necrosis of scrotum – Lambs

Injection of irritants into testis – Feral dogs in some countries

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What are the main reasons for castration in males across species?

Elimination/reduction of male-like behaviour

Prevention of breeding

Treatment of testicular/scrotal conditions

Treatment of hormone-driven conditions (e.g. prostate disease, anal adenoma in dogs)

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What are the three main castration techniques?

Open Castration – Vaginal tunic is opened

Closed Castration – Vaginal tunic is left intact

Modified Castration – Open initially, then closed after securing structures

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What are the different castration techniques used in horses?

Open Castration (standing with sedation & local anaesthesia)

Closed Castration (under general anaesthesia, reduces herniation risk)

Modified Castration (combines open & closed methods, often done in theatre)

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What are the key pre-operative considerations for equine castration?

Physical exam & palpation of scrotum

Suitability for anaesthesia

Tetanus prophylaxis

Antimicrobial & analgesic administration

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How is an open castration preformed in the horse?

Testis is tensed
8-10 cm skin incision in scrotum is made 2-3 cm from median raphe
Incision carried through skin & muscle
Vaginal tunic is opened & testes pushed out
Fascia is stripped away using dry gauze
Cord is emasculated either as 1 or 2 portions (vascular & vas)
Absorbable ligature may be applied
Remnant tunic is emasculated
Tunic, sub-cutaneous tissue & skin are left open

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How is a closed castration preformed in the horse?

As for ‘open’ technique but vaginal tunic is not opened
Subcutaneous tissue is pushed back with a dry swab
Transfixing sutures are placed through tunic anchoring vascular portion & then applied circumferentially around whole cord compressing vas
Cord is emasculated as whole
The skin is normally left open

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How is a modified open castration preformed in the horse?

Procedure performed as for ‘open’ castration
Rather then removing tunic, it is twisted along its long axis, transfixed & then emasculated
Sub-cutaneous tissue may be sutured closed
Skin may or may not be closed

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of open vs. closed vs modified castration in horses?

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What are the main castration techniques used in dogs?

Modified (open then closed) – Commonly performed

Closed technique – Preferred in smaller dogs

Open technique – Skin is closed, unlike in horses where skin is left open

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What are current opinions on the timing of castration in dogs?

Recommended after 12 months of age in many breeds (post-puberty)

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What techniques are used for feline castration?

Open technique with twisting & traction
Open technique with ligation
Open technique with auto-ligation

Skin left open for drainage

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What are the bloodless methods of castration in calves?

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Elastration (rubber bands)
- Performed within first 7 days
- Induces ischaemic necrosis
- Care for flies and tetanus

Burdizzo method (cord crushing)
- Pull testes down, push cord to side, apply to one cord to level of raphe, then other cord at different level

What are key considerations for surgical castration in calves over 2 months old?

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Must be performed by vet using anaesthesia

Local anaesthesia essential, sedation helpful

Open technique is most common

Consider antibiotics, clean environment, age & size

What methods are used for castrating lambs?

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Elastration (first 7 days, induces ischaemic necrosis)

Burdizzo (cord crushing) (first 7 days)

Surgical castration is rarely performed

What are the common methods for castrating piglets?

Surgical castration using open technique Sharp dissection or torsion & traction Usually no ligature or emasculation used

What are the main surgical castration techniques in calves and bulls?

Open Technique: - Lateral incisions into each scrotum using scalpel (careful of saphenous vein) or Newberry knife - Distal scrotum removal improves drainage Use of Emasculators: - Crush & cut spermatic cord, providing haemostasis without ligation - Reduces post-operative bleeding

Why is a closed or modified castration essential in rodents?

Open inguinal canal → High risk of hernia Wound protection is essential → Subcuticular sutures & Elizabethan collar used

What are common complications that occur during surgical neutering?

Anaesthesia-related Bleeding risks: - Bitch: Ovarian pedicle, cervico-uterine stump, broad ligament - Stallion: Testicular artery Organ damage: - Bitch/Queen: Bladder, colon, ureter - Ureter inclusion in cervical ligatures during a spay

What is the cause of most bleeds during surgical neutering?

Inadequate exposure or poor ligation techniques

How can bleeding be managed in the bitch during surgical neutering?

Increase exposure Use suction Ask for assistance Use mesenteric dam maneuvers to look at ovarian pedicles Retract bladder caudally to look at cervical stump Re-ligate, consider fluid therapy Always check 3 sites before closing abdomen, much easier to re-ligate now rather after recovery

How can bleeding be managed in the stallion during surgical neutering?

Grasp spermatic cord stump with artery forceps Re-ligate

How can damage to organs be managed during surgical neutering?

Identify organ damaged effect a repair

What are the common post-operative complications in the recovery phase?

Anaesthesia-related: - Hypothermia - Abnormal heart rate (arrhythmias) - Difficult recovery - Hypotension - Hypoventilation Bleeding: - Bitch: Bleeding into abdomen → pale mucous membranes, tachycardia, swollen abdomen, blood seepage - Stallion: Bleeding from open incision → steady blood drip, anything more is likely to be major vessels (e.g. testicular artery) & requires intervention

What are some common complications during recovery in the stallion and what should you do if these happen?

Herniation of omentum - Don’t pull out any more material - Resect protruding tissue - Pack wound / close skin - Box rest, antimicrobials Eventration - Prevent further damage using sheet to hold viscera & prevent any further protruding - Refer for surgery

What are common post-surgical complications in the short term?

Wound inflammation (seroma) Scrotal haematoma (firm swelling) Wound infection & breakdown Scrotal dermatitis (caused by licking) - Dogs lick scrotum if clipped or scrub solution not washed away (so don't clip)

What should you do if wound inflammation (seroma) occurs post surgery?

Consider exercise regimes to prevent before this occurs (e.g. hand walking stallions) Ensure swelling is simple fluid (not infection / herniation) Consider removing the fluid For stallion walking exercise for 30mins twice daily

What should you do if scrotal haematoma occurs post surgery?

Provide appropriate antimicrobial cover

What should you do if wound infection occurs post surgery?

Provide appropriate antimicrobial cover Prevent self-trauma Remove any infected material (e.g. skin sutures)

What should you do if wound breakdown occurs post surgery?

Provide appropriate antimicrobial cover Remove devitalized tissue, debride Suture if only healthy tissue remains or consider treating as open wound

What long-term issues may arise after surgical neutering?

Surgical materials left behind (e.g. swabs, sutures). Fistulas bitch: - Ovarian pedicle → flank fistula - Uterine stump → inguinal fistula Chronic infections stallion: - Scirrhous cord (chronic cord infection) Bitch: Pyogranuloma, red/brown vulval discharge Incomplete removal of gonads

What should you do if a long term issue (e.g. surgical material left behind, fistula, chronic infection, pyogranuloma) arises?

Establish nature of the problem (fistulography, vaginal endoscopy etc) Re-operate & remove devitalized tissue, surgical instrument, swabs, suture material Provide appropriate antimicrobial cover

What happens if gonads are incompletely removed?

Bitch/Queen: - Signs of repeated oestrus (ovarian remnant syndrome) Dog/Tom/Stallion: - Persistent male behaviour (e.g. aggression, mounting). - Cryptorchid animals: Testicular tissue left behind

What do you need to do if there are signs of repeated oestrus post neutering in bitch/queen?

Establish this is oestrus by observing behaviour, vaginal cytology Establish there is ovarian tissue by hormone testing

What do you need to do if there are signs of persistent male-like behaviour post neutering in dog/tom/stallion?

Establish there is androgenisation by clinical exam (e.g. penile spine in cats, musculature in stallions) Establish there is testicular tissue by hormone testing

What are the long-term physiological effects of neutering?

Increased risk of: - Urinary incontinence - Certain neoplasias - Joint diseases (hip/elbow dysplasia) - Growth plate fractures (if neutered early) Physical Changes: - Body conformation changes - Loss of secondary male characteristics (muscle mass, mane) - Taller growth if neutered early (delayed growth plate closure)

Give 5 reasons why feline neutering is indicated.

Population control Reduce inherent risks of pregnancy Limit spread of some infectious diseases Limit reproductive diseases Limit unwanted behaviours

At what age do cats become sexually active?

4 months

Calculate the fresh gas flow for a T piece for a cat weighing 1kg. Assume minute volume of the cat is 200ml.

0.5L/min

What is in the Quad?

medetomidine, buprenorphine, midazolam, ketamine

What is the benefit of having midazolam in the ‘Quad’?

Reduces the dose needed of the other anaesthetic agents

What are the advantages of midline approach over flank in cats?

Better exposure

What is the risk of stump pyometras in cats?

Low

Are early neuters more prone to obesity?

Are cat’s testicles descended at birth?

Yes

Surgical contraception Flashcards

(54 cards)