Small Mammal Repro Flashcards
How do rabbit and rodent repro tracts differ to other animals? What implication does this have?
- open inguinal canals -> potential risk of herniation
- close tunic etc. when operating
Reasons for neutering small mammals?
- avoid pregnancy
- behavioural (fighting, mounting)
- smell
- avoid repro disese
What is the correct neutering technique for rabbits?
- prescrotal/scrtoal
- open/closed
> no correct, everyone has different approaches
What age can castration be performed?
4 months with both testes fully descended
What should be carried out prior to castrating rabbit?
- full clinical exam (sex, concurrent disease)
- anaesthesia
- clip and prep surgical site (skin thin and tears easily)
- technique of your choice
Outline the steps of castrating a rabbit
- Immobilise testes (prevent testes dissapearing up inguinal canal into abdomen)
- incise through skin and tunic (on testes)
- exteriorise testicle and break down attachment between tunic and skin (as open method)
- clamp tunic and place transfixing monocryl ligature proximally (as closed method)
- incise between clamps, check for bleeding and GLUE (not suture)
Main post-op complications of castrating rabbits and rodents?
- herniation (2 ligatures to prevent this)
- infection
How are rabbit spays different to other animals?
- 2 uterine hrons and 2 cervices
- no uterine body
- fat +++ in broad ligament
What age are rabbits spayed at?
5-6 months
Outline steps of spay op in rabbits
- make incision midway between umbilicus [may not be visualised] and pubic symphis
- > go just cranial to last pair of nipples
- exteriorise repro tract, handle gently as tissue is friable
- ligate ovaires and broad ligament (usually full hysterectomy)
- ligate blood vessels (may be more than in dog)
- transfixing ligature distal to cervices cranial to urethra (ligate as close to cervices as possible)
Why should you be cautious when incising for rabbit spay?
- ceacum and bladder v close
Post spay problems?
- adhesions
- GI stasis
How may tissue adhesion risk be lowered?
- gentle and minimal tissue handling (don’t go back in to check pedicles)
- keep tissues moist
- appropriate suture material choice (PDS, monocryl, NOT catgut)
- NSAIDs 5d postop - start just pre-surgery (meloxicam)
How can GI stasis be avoided?
RInitidine GI stimulant started preop
When should you start syringe feeding a rabbit post op?
- if not eating 2-4 hours after recovery