Surgical Procedures

Question 1

What age should castrations be performed?

Answer 1

EARLIER THE BETTER
-can be performed at birth
-pigs usually done at 2-5 days of age
-all castrations should be done before 120 days of age

Question 2

When should dehorning be performed?

Answer 2

Before the base is greater than 1 inch in diameter

Question 3

What percent lidocaine should be used in cattle and pigs vs small ruminants?

Answer 3

2% in cattle and pigs, 1% for small ruminants

Question 4

How do you reduce the sting associated with lidocaine?

Answer 4

Add 1 mL sodium bicarb per 10 mL lidocaine

Question 5

How should you block the horns prior to dehorning in cattle and sheep? What about goats?

Answer 5

Inject 2-4 mL of lidocaine underneath the frontal crest/temporal line, half way between the eye and base of the ear

In goats, block cornual branches of infratrochlear nerve and lacrimal nerve

Question 6

What should you do for pain relief after castration/dehorning?

Answer 6

1 mg/kg Meloxicam will provide pain relief for 48 hours

Question 7

Describe the use of elastrator bands for castration.

Answer 7

Works well for calves less than 150 lbs
-a strong rubber ring is placed around the neck of the scrotum using a pair of band pliers. The calfs testicles and scrotum are then pulled through the opened rubber ring and plier handles are released

Question 8

How long after applying a band should the tissue necrose and fall off?

Answer 8

1-3 weeks

Question 9

How do you avoid the tetanus risk with elastrators in small ruminants?

Answer 9

Tetanus prophylaxis- provide 200-500 IU of antitoxin if dams were not vaccinated prepartum with tetanus

Question 10

How can you use elastrator bands for hernia repair?

Answer 10

If lamb or kid develops inguinal hernia at time of castration, can gently replace intestines and put band on remaining portion of scrotum
-also place animal on antibiotics

Question 11

Describe how you use the burdizzo for castration.

Answer 11

Scrotum is not cut, but rather spermatic cords are crushed ans severed inside the scrotum with this method
-each spermatic cord is clamed separately and at different levels of the scrotal neck
-testicles dont fall off but are reabsorbed over time
-favored for show cattle due to the appearance of the “cod”
-no age or weight restriction with this technique

Question 12

Describe the newberry knife method for castration.

Answer 12

The knife is designed to split the scrotum longitudinally resulting in two flaps of the scrotal skin. This allows for excellent drainage. Typically the testicles will drop below the flaps. Then the testicle is grasped and fibrous tissue is broken down. Testicles than pulled, or emasculator can be used

Question 13

Describe the scalpel blade method for castration

Answer 13

Testicles forced forward, then lower 1/3-1/2 of scrotum is removed with blade. Then pull and break spermaticord

Question 14

How is the henderson castration tool used?

Answer 14

Clamp like forcepts attached to hand drill. The cord is crushed with clamp then the drill spins until the cord breaks
-provides excellent hemostasis

Question 15

What season should castrations be performed?

Answer 15

Prior to or after fly season… aka early spring or late fall

Question 16

How are small pigs (2-120 lbs) pigs generally castrated?

Answer 16

Held by hindlegs upside down. Push testicles down towards penis and then cut over testicle with curved blade. Pop testicles out and pull them like you would in calf PERPENDICULAR to the body wall (to avoid herniation)

Question 17

What type of castration should you do in bulls?

Answer 17

Surgical under anesthesia
- can sedate with either pentobarbital IV or in the tesicle (remove one that was injected first)
-cut over both testicles and remove. Ligation often necessary

Question 18

What do you do about busted pigs?

Answer 18

This means inguinal herniation
-you should twist testicle and ligate stump neat body wall before amputating testes and spermatic cord distal to ligation

Question 19

What should you always do prior to dehorning bull calves?

Answer 19

Local block-block cornual branch of zygomaticotemporal nerve with 1.5-3 cc lidocaine

Clip hair away from horn bud at the base

Question 20

Describe the caustic paste method for dehorning?

Answer 20

Must be applied at birth. Used in dairy. can have poor results due to improper application

Question 21

What is are the techniques for the burn method for dehorning?

Answer 21

Electrocauthery, propane cautery or electric dehorner

Question 22

What is the gauge technique for dehorning?

Answer 22

Use barnes dehorner, need to pull vessels and spray for flies

Question 23

When is the wire, saw or keystone dehorners indicated?

Answer 23

LARGE horns

Question 24

What type of goat should you never dehorn?

Answer 24

Angora goats- their horns are used for heat regulation
-adult goats- sinusitis very common

Question 25

What are some common indications of infection after dehorning?

Answer 25

Nasal discharge, head tilting, shaking ears

Question 26

when should extra teats be removed?

Answer 26

At the time of brucella vaccine (aka 4-6 months old)

Question 27

How should you go about teat removal?

Answer 27

Attach tissue forceps to the teat, pull teat towards you, cut off flat using scissors, then spray with fly spray

Question 28

What is the etiologies behind umbilical hernias?

Answer 28

Thought to be inherited and often associated with omphalitits in calves

Question 29

What is the surgical method to reduce an umbilical hernia?

Answer 29

be sure theres not an abscess, then place animal in dorsal recumbency, local block with lidocaine, make eliptical incision around hernia, dissect peritoneum from skin, push peritoneal sac into abdomen, then use mattress sutures to pull one edge of ring over the other

Question 30

Describe the nonsurgical method for hernia reduction

Answer 30

Reduce hernia and place vetwrap around the animal for approximately 1 week