Vasectomy in pigs + Epididymectomy in pigs

Question 1

What is a vasectomy?

Answer 1

Cutting the spermatic cord

Question 2

What are the PREsurgical steps needed before a vasectomy?

Answer 2

The vasectomy is performed in post-pubertal pigs, so the spermatic cord is enlarged. To restrain the animal, a dorsal recumbency is recommended, with the rear legs extended.

We use general anaesthesia, and all the presurgical procedures need to be done: no feed for 24hrs and water for 12hrs pre-operation, we prepare the scrotum and surrounding area for surgery, clip hair if necessary. We use a surgical scrub to do preparation.

We can use local anaesthesia into the spermatic cord, but this is no preferred as it causes and extra oedema and we need to suture through it later.

Question 3

What is the surgical steps in vasectomy in pigs?

Answer 3

We pull the testicles into the bottom of the scrotum, which will reveal the spermatic cord going from the testicle to the abdominal cavity and inguinal cavity.

We make a 5-8cm long incision over the spermatic cord between the testicle and inguinal ring. We then take out the spermatic cord and locate the vas deferens, cut the tunica over the vas deferens, take out proximately 3cm of the vas deferens.

We place to ligatures 3cm apart on the exposed vas deferens and remove the section of the vas deferens between the ligatures. Afterwards we can suture the tunica, but not required.

We need to suture the subcutaneous layers and the skin.

Question 4

Why does all injuries heal quickly in pigs?

Answer 4

Pigs have a high fibrinogen content in the blood

Question 5

What are the postoperative cares in case of a vasectomy in pigs?

Answer 5

We remove the skin sutures after 14-21 days or we will allow them to slough spontaneously.

Question 6

How can we know if the vasectomy worked?

Answer 6

We need to wait 6 weeks or wait 6 ejaculates for the semen to be spermatozoa free, we need to check it under a microscope.

Question 7

What is the procedure called to remove the epididymis?

Answer 7

Epididymectomy

Question 8

When is a Epididymectomy performed?

Answer 8

This is normally done in smaller pigs, in 2-3 week (10-21 days) old piglets, because they are easier to handle.

We always use general anaesthesia.

Question 9

How is the Epididymectomy done in pigs?

Answer 9

We make an incision over the tail of the epididymis on both sides and separate it from the testicle and cut off the tail of the epididymis . We don’t need to put suture, because there is small to no blood yet. We then suture the skin and allow drainage of the incision

Repeat the procedure on the opposite epididymis, some surgeons prefer to remove the opposite testicle