Ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy and castration – including complications Flashcards
List 3 reasons we neuter small animals
Prevent breeding (population control)
Control behaviour / behavioural problems- this is variable
Prevent disease (e.g., neoplasia, pyometra, etc.)
List 6 possible disadvantages of neutering females
Sometimes increased risk of:
Urinary incontinence
Hair coat changes
Obesity
Neoplasia
Immune-mediated disease
Joint disease
List 6 potential advantages of neutering male dog
Reduce roaming
Reduce aggression
Prevent Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prevent perianal adenoma
No testicular neoplasia
↓ histiocytic TVT
List 7 potential disadvantages of neutering a male dog
Prostatic carcinoma- incidence is very low
Increase aggression
Urinary incontinence
Hair coat
Obesity
Neoplasia
Joint disease
where does the blood supply to ovary sit
caudal pole of the kidney on each side
can pyometras occur after ovariectomy
no unless the patient receives any exogenous progesterone
List 2 indications for flank approach to spay
Enlarged mammary gland due to lactation
Mammary gland hyperplasia
List 2 advantages of flank approach to spay
Evisceration is less likely if the body wall incision breaks down
Ability to observe incision from a distance
List 3 disadvantages of flank approach to spay
Limited exposure to the patient’s contralateral side if complications arise
Difficulty identifying a previous OHE if the animal is not properly marked
Possible imperfections in hair colour or regrowth on the flank
what is the surgical complication rate related to
body weight
surgical time
what can happen if linea alba wound dehiscence after spay
hernia
what should you do to prevent ovarian remnant syndrome
Always open ovarian bursa after surgery to check whole ovary has been removed
List the signs of uterine stump granuloma
signs consistent with infection
vaginal discharge
attractive to male dogs
what is uterine stump granuloma associated with
cat gut suture material
describe how to treat uterine stump granuloma
surgical intervention
and course of broad spec ABs
List 3 complications of surgical castration
wound complications
haemorrhage
scrotal haematoma
Physiologically what happens after neutering
Sudden drop in levels of testosterone/oestrogen
Low testosterone or oestrogen stimulates GnRH from hypothalamus
Triggers the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from pituitary
LH levels remain high as there is no negative feedback from testosterone/oestrogen production
Where do we ligate in a spay
Ovarian pedicle - veins and arteries
Uterine body, veins and arteries
What structure do we break in order to exteriorise the ovary in a bitch
suspensory ligament
What type of ligature do we place on the cervix and why
Transfixing ligature
Cervix is wider than the uterus and vagina - a normal encircling ligature tends to slip
List 7 complications from a spay
Wound complications
Haemorrhage
Residual ovarian tissue
Stump or pedicle granulomas
Stump pyometra
Swab retention
Ureteral entrapment
What 3 wound complications can occur after a spay
Suture reaction
Wound infection
Wound dehiscence => hernia or evisceration if both skin and linea alba break down
What to do if you get bleeding during a spay
Increase exposure
Use suction
Convert flank to
Use mesenteric dam manoeuvres to look at ovarian pedicles
Retract bladder caudally to look at cervical stump
Common causes of a sinus tract/discharging sinus
Foreign material left in
=> Permanent, braided suture material e.g. nylon
=> Leaving swabs in
Signs of a ureteral entrapment
Crush injury vs ligation vs transection
Azotaemia
Uroabdomen (if transection)
Where do we incise for a castration
Pre-scrotal region
open vs closed castration
Open = incision through vaginal tunic
Closed = not entering vaginal tunic
What is the negative of a closed castrate
Much more structures included in the ligature => need a much more secure ligature e.g. modified millers
Positives of a closed castrate
Haven’t entered peritoneal cavity - less chance of a peritonitis
