Castration and vasectomy Flashcards
1
Q
Is castration required in calves in the UK?
A
- Depends on growing/finishing system
– Pure dairy bulls often left entire
– Crossbred/pure beef bulls usually castrated - Non-surgical much more common
2
Q
Is castration required in lambs in the UK?
A
- Very commonly castrated (even though usually finished before puberty)
3
Q
Is castration required in pigs in the UK?
A
- Very rarely castrated (slaughter before puberty)
4
Q
Bloodless castration
A
- Methods rely on destroying or obstructing the blood supply to the testicle causing atrophy
- rubber rings: small rubber rings are stretched over the whole scrotum and released ensuring both testicles are below the ring. the ring prevents blood flow to the testicles and scrotum which atrophy and eventually slough
- “Burdizzo”: this crushes the spermatic cord. the spermatic cord is held to the side of the scrotum at its base. the burdizzo is applied crushing the spermatic cord and preventing blood flow in the testicular artery. the testicle atrophies within the scrotum, if applied correctly the scrotum itself remains
5
Q
Castration of the Calf - bloodless techniques
A
Elastration in first 7 days
* Induces ischaemic necrosis, care for flies and tetanus
Crushing (Burdizzo)
* Pull testes down, push cord to side, apply to one cord to level of
raphe, then other cord at different level
* leave space in the middle for blood supply of scrotum
6
Q
Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954 - Calves
A
- Rubber rings, or other devices to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum, are only permitted without an anaesthetic in the first 7 days
- Anaesthesia required if more than 2 months of age Veterinary surgeon required to do this
7
Q
Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954 - Lambs
A
- Rubber rings or other devices to restrict blood flow are only permitted without an anaesthetic within first 7 days
- Anaesthesia required if more than 3 months of age; veterinary surgeon required to do this
8
Q
Surgical Neutering approaches in the Male
A
- Orchiectomy (orchidectomy or castration)
- Vasectomy
- Crushing of spermatic cord
- Inducing ischaemic necrosis of scrotum
- (Injection of irritants into testis) – typically hypertonic saline
9
Q
Surgical castration of the Calf/Bull - what to consider
A
- Age and size
- Time of year
- Clean environment
- Antibiotics (experience)
- NSAIDs
- Exercise
- Safety vet/handler/animal (sedation may be helpful)
10
Q
Surgical castration of the Calf/Bull - technique
A
Open Technique by either:
* Lateral incisions into each side of scrotum or removal of distal scrotum
* Scalpel/Newberry knife
- Haemostasis either:
- Twisting and pulling
- Emascuators
- (rarely ligation)
11
Q
SOP for calf castration – twisting method
A
- Restrain animal in a safe position (crush or 1 or 2-person restraint for smaller calves)
- Ask assistant to firmly lift the tail.
- Scrub and disinfect the injection site (particularly for bloodless castration)
- Administer local block: inject 1-5ml (dependent on size) of local anaesthetic under the skin (SC, only with surgical castration) and 1-5 ml (dependent on size) in both spermatic cords (for both bloodless and surgical castration).
- You can inject local anaesthetic straight in the testicle (instead of the cords) but this is only preferred if the testicle is larger than a ‘small fist’ size. Wait minimum of 5 minutes before proceeding.
- Provide NSAIDs
- Standard skin prep
- Pull the scrotum ventrally with one hand
- remove the bottom 3rd of the scrotum using a scalpel or
- place your hand on the scrotum above testicles and make an incision through the scrotal skin of each testicle, and through the vaginal tunic.
- Separate the vaginal tunic from the testicle by tearing the ligament attaching the vaginal tunic to the testicle
- Push the remains of the vaginal tunic up the cord, dorsally away from the testis. Pull the testis down slightly: it will “give” about 1-2cm.
- Twist the cord repeatedly (either holding testicle or using artery forceps), occasionally stretching the cord slightly until it becomes thin and snaps
- Possibly use an emasculator on larger calves (>3-6 months) (nut to nut) Apply and hold on for a count of 60 seconds.
- Remove tissue visible outside the scrotum and pull the scrotal edges down to help obscure any internal material.
12
Q
Castration in goats
A
- Similar to sheep
- Clostridial disease vaccination
even more important
13
Q
Castration in pigs
A
- Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2003: Castration after day 7 of life can only be performed by a veterinary surgeon
- Open surgical/twist and pull technique usual
14
Q
Vasectomy of the tup (ram, billy goat (buck, hob))
A
- Local anaesthesia (or GA) over scrotal neck and spermatic cords
- Incision at cranial aspect of each scrotum through skin, dartos, fascia (single cranial mid- scrotal incision also used by some veterinarians)
- Bluntly dissect cord
- Palpate vas as thick walled tube in non-vascular portion
- Incise tunic
- Pull out loop of vas
- Two ligatures and remove segment between
- Close skin
15
Q
4 components of a tups pre-breeding exam
A
- general physical exam
- exam of external genitalia
- semen sample on single day
- vet’s decision
