How is a dog castration surgery done? - briefly
Dog castration surgery involves the removal of both testicles and their associated structures. The procedure typically requires general anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes.
How is a dog castration surgery done? - in detail
Castration surgery for dogs, also known as orchiectomy, is a common and relatively straightforward procedure performed by veterinarians. The primary goal of this surgery is to remove both testicles from the scrotum to prevent unwanted behaviors and potential health issues associated with intact males. Here is a detailed step-by-step account of how the castration surgery is typically done:
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Preoperative Preparation: Before the surgery, the dog undergoes a thorough physical examination and pre-anesthetic blood tests to ensure it is healthy enough for the procedure. The owner is advised not to feed the dog for at least 8 hours before the surgery to minimize the risk of regurgitation and aspiration during anesthesia.
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Anesthesia: On the day of the surgery, the dog is sedated with a combination of injectable drugs to make it calm and pain-free. General anesthesia is then induced using an intravenous injection of a short-acting anesthetic agent. Once the dog is fully unconscious, an endotracheal tube is placed in its trachea to maintain a patent airway and deliver oxygen and anesthetic gas throughout the procedure.
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Surgical Site Preparation: The area around the scrotum is clipped of hair and cleaned with antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. Sterile drapes are placed around the surgical site to maintain a clean and sterile environment.
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Incision: A single, midline incision is made in the scrotum using a scalpel blade. The incision is typically about 1-2 cm long, depending on the size of the dog. Care is taken not to cut too deeply to avoid injuring the testicles or other structures within the scrotum.
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Exposure and Removal of Testicles: Once the incision is made, the veterinarian uses blunt dissection techniques to gently separate the testicles from their surrounding tissues. Each testicle is carefully lifted out of the incision, along with a short segment of the attached spermatic cord. The spermatic cord contains the vas deferens, blood vessels, and nerves that supply the testicle.
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Ligation and Transection: Using absorbable suture material, the veterinarian places two ligatures around the spermatic cord, one near the body wall (proximal) and one closer to the testicle (distal). The proximal ligature is placed first to prevent retrograde flow of blood from the body cavity into the testicle. The distal ligature is then tied tightly to cut off the blood supply to the testicle. Once both ligatures are in place, the spermatic cord is transected between them using surgical scissors or a scalpel blade.
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Hemostasis: After removing each testicle, the veterinarian applies gentle pressure to the stump of the spermatic cord to ensure hemostasis (stopping bleeding). If necessary, additional ligatures or clips may be placed to control any remaining bleeders.
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Closure: Once both testicles have been removed and hemostasis has been achieved, the incision in the scrotum is closed using absorbable suture material. Typically, simple interrupted or continuous locking sutures are used to appose the edges of the incision.
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Postoperative Care: Following the surgery, the dog is monitored closely as it recovers from anesthesia. Pain medication and antibiotics may be administered to manage postoperative discomfort and prevent infection. The owner is provided with instructions on how to care for the surgical site at home, including keeping the dog quiet and restricting activity for 10-14 days to allow proper healing. A recheck examination is usually scheduled for 7-10 days after the surgery to assess the incision and remove any remaining sutures if necessary.
In summary, castration surgery for dogs involves careful preoperative planning, precise surgical technique, and attentive postoperative care to ensure a successful outcome. The procedure is typically well-tolerated by dogs and offers numerous benefits, including the prevention of unwanted behaviors and potential health issues associated with intact males.