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The dog is given a general
anaesthetic and placed on the surgery table. The area forward of the scrotum
is shaved and scrubbed with special surgical soap.
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Following the scrub an antiseptic
solution is placed on the surgical area. Sterile procedures and instruments
are required to minimize infection.
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The single incision is made
in the skin, not through the scrotum, and slightly forward of the scrotum.
Staying in the midline diminishes the slight amount of bleeding that generally
occurs.
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In this photo the surgeon
pushes on a testicle to advance it forward to where the skin incision was
made. The tunic, a fibrous covering of the testicle, is located.
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Viewing the testicle in
the incision opening, the surgeon cuts through the fibrous tunic surrounding
the testicle and the connecting vessels and structures are isolated.
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Now that the testicle is
visible and is exteriorized through the incision, the spermatic cord containing
the vas deferens and blood vessels are clamped and the area is inspected
where the ligature will be placed.
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(It is at times like this
that the marvels of modern anaesthesia are really appreciated by man and
dog! Don't try this at home! Dr. Dunn)
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To allow for the removal
of the testicle the spermatic cord must be cut. Having a generous
blood supply, the cord must be tied securely (ligated) to be sure there
is no post operative haemorrhaging.
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The second testicle is removed
in the same manner. The ligament of the Epididymis and its small vessel
are ligated to minimize bleeding.
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The final cut is made at
the ligament and the testicle is removed. There should be no bleeding
at this time. The remaining tissues are replaced within the incision.
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The surgeon inspects the
surgical area for "bleeders"...little vessels that cause nuisance, but not
dangerous, bleeding.
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The incision is closed by
placing sutures through the deep tissues first and then working upward to
the subcutaneous layer.
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If you are having trouble
with your pet being overweight, read how to keep a pet at optimum body weight here. Numerous health
benefits are associated with early spay/neutering... ask your veterinarian.
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Here the surgeon chooses to place subcutaneous sutures instead
of visible surface sutures. There is less chance of the dog licking
or chewing the area with subcutaneous sutures. The skin is usually
healed in 6 to 8 days; the dog is confined for 7 to 10 days postoperatively.
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Tens of thousands of abandoned and unwanted
dogs and cats are euthanised every year. Please consider spaying and
neutering... the best way to curtail the mass euthanasia of dogs and cats.
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