Castration Flashcards
Surgical removal of both testes = Castration
What are the other terms use?
Orchiectomy or Orchidectomy
What are the indications for Canine castration?
- Sterilization - reduce animal pop
- Elimination of Male characteristics - less likely in older patients
- Tx for other Disease -prostatic dz
What Dz’s can castration be a Tx for?
- Prostatic - itis, abscess/cyst, hypertrophy
- Cryptorchidism
- Perineal hernia
- Testicular torsion/abscess
- Urethral obstruction →as part of a scrotal urethrostomy (cats mainly) →partial amputation of penis
- Scrotal/Testicular trama
- Endocrine disorders
- Scrotal & inguinal hernias
- Neoplasia - testicular, scrotal, perianal gland adenoma
What are the 4 surgical approaches to canine castration?
- Prescrotal
- Scrotal Ablation- remove scrotum & testes
- Perineal (caudal)
- Scrotal
Which surigcal approach to canine castration is most recommended?
How does it heal?
Prescrotal
1st intention
What 2 surgical approaches to canine castration are not recommended?
How do they heal?
- Perineal (caudal) & Scrotal
- 2nd intention
What are the 2 surgical approaches to feline castration?
Scrotal - heals by 2nd intention Scrotal ablation - done with perineal urethrostomy
Why do we not do prescrotal castration in cats?
The cat penis points caudally, no room for prescrotal incision
What Sx approach is used in routine elective K9 castrations?
Prescrotal
In canine castration, when is scrotal ablation done?
During Castration
because of: Scrotal/testicular neoplasm, trauma or pendulous scrotum
When is the inguinal or abdominal Sx approach used in canine castration?
Cryptorchidism
When is the perineal/scrotal Sx approach used in canine castration?
to avoid repositioning the patient when in perineal position
What are 4 main things to be aware of with Sx prep for canine castration?
- Aseptic technique
- Clip hair carefully
- Avoid rough scrubbing
- Chlorhexidine prep
What are 3 main things to be aware of with Sx prep for feline castration?
- Usually “clean” procedure
- Pluck hair from scrotum →easier & causes less trama
- Chlorhexidine prep
What is a closed castration?
Pros?
Cons?
- Parietal tunic NOT incised
- Pro →may reduce surgical time & risk of abdominal infection
- Con → less secure ligations
What is an open castration?
Pros?
Cons?
- Parietal vaginal tunic IS incised
- Pro → more secure ligations
- Con →communication w/ abdominal cavity
What are the 4 goals of castration?
- Complete removal of testicles
- Secure ligatures
- NO POST OP BLEEDING
- Avoid hematomas at incision site & scrotum
Closed Canine castration techniques?
- Drape & make incision
- Tent skin, push testicle forward, stretch skin & cut w/ pencil grip
- Hemostasis
- Cut through spermatic fascia and push testicle through opening.
- Pull testicle up and break scrotal ligament then strip down to remove fat & SQ tissue
- 3 clamp technique (we should know this)
- Check for bleeders & push ligated pedicle back into abdomen with forceps
- do it again with the other teste starting @ #4
Open Canine castration technique?
- Same as closed up through 4
- Incise parietal tunic (dont cut tunica albugenia)
- Open window btwn parietal tunic/cremaster mm & vas defrens/artery & vein
- Strip vaginal tunic as far down to incision
- 3 clamp technique
- push ligated pedicle into vaginal tunic and tuck it back into the abdomen
How do you close a Canine castration?
- Make a bite on the midline ventral to penis (dont get the retractor penis mm or urethra!)
- Spermatic fascia & SQ picked up together to close dead space
- Simple interrupted pattern
Post operative Care of Canine castrations?
- Apply cold pack for 10-15min
- E-collar ASAP
- Restrict exercise for 1 week
Complications of canine castration?
- Hemorrhage
- Scrotal irritation/brusing from prep
- Scrotal hematoma - NEVER ignore bleeders
- Infection
Are complications from castration more prevalent in dogs or cats?
Dogs
How long after Sx can scrotal hematoma occur?
3-5 days
What type of incision do you use in scrotal ablasion castration?
Elliptical incision around the neck of the scrotum
Why is it important to remove cryptorchid testes?
Can turn into neoplastic testicle
In a cryptorchid castration, which testicle should be removed first?
The retained one 1st, then the descended teste
Why should you remove the retained testicle first?
Always do the “cleanest” procedure first!
What are the 3 types of testicular neoplasia?
- Sertoli cell tumor
- Seminoma
- Interstitial (Leydig) cell tumor
How common is testicular neoplasia in Dogs and Cats?
- Dogs →Very common
- Cats → very rare
Are testicular neoplasias malignant or benign?
Malignant - but rarely metastisize
(often cured by castration)
What should you send to the pahtologist with testicular neoplasia?
The entire testicle
How many types of neoplasia can occur in a single testicle?
All 3!
Being Cryptorchid increases the chance of testicular neoplasia by how much?
14x overall (all types)
23x for Sertoli cell tumors
What testicular tumor type may secrete estrogen?
Sertoli cell tumors
What do you do if the tumor invades the testicle?
Scrotal ablasion - send it all to the pathologist
How to DX testicular neoplasia?
(4)
- Palpation
- Ultrasound
- X-rays
- Paraneoplastic syndrome presence
What is paraneoplastic syndrome?
Hyperstrogenism associated with sertoli cell tumor
What are the 5 signs of hyperestrogenism?
- Alopecia
- Gynecomastia
- Testicular Atrophy
- Penile Atrophy
- Pendulous Prepuce
What is a pseudohermaphrodite?
Congenital anomaly
Uterus + testicle → send to pathologist
What are the indications for feline castration?
- Sterilization
- Urethral obstruction (part of perineal urethrostomy)
- Testicular/Scrotal trauma
- Elimination of Male characteristics
If you neuter a male cat, will it reduce the urine smell?
Only if done at a young age before smell gets bad
Describe the surgical technique for a feline castration.
- pluck hair from scrotum & scrub
- Scrotal Incision(s)
- Open or closed technique
- Place caudal traction on testicle until scrotal ligament breaks
- Ligation
- Replace pedicles into scrotal sac
- Let incisions heal by 2nd intention
What are the techniques for ligation of pedicles in cat castration?
- Separate ductus deferens & tie vessels (2 square knots)
- Absorbable suture or hemoclip
- Overhand technique
- Make knot as close to scrotum as possible
What is the post op care for feline castration?
Use shredded paper or unpopped corn for litter
What does chemical castration do to the testes?
Causes Sclerosis of the testes
What is chemical castration?
Injection of Zinc gluconate neutralized with L-arginine
“Zueterin”
Who is chemical castration labeled for use in?
3-10 m. old male dogs
Off label use of chemical castration?
Adult dogs and cats
