Castration of the Canine and Feline

what are 3 indications for a scrotal ablation?

1. pendulous scrotum 2. scrotal/testicular neoplasia or trauma 3. scrotal urethro-stomy

what are the 3 ligation techniques for cat castrations?

1. separate ductus deferens and tie to vessels with 2 square knots 2. use absorbable ligature or hemoclips 3. overhand technique

what are some reasons for castration?

1. sterilization 2. elim of male characteristics 3. aggression 4. part of treatment for diseases - like prostatitis, prostatic cyst and abscess, and prostatic hypertrophy 5. cryptorchidism, perineal hernia (between 5-8 yrs old), and testicular torsion/abscess

doing a transfixing ligature - do it 1st or 2nd and why?

2nd- prevents bleeders into abdomen

true or false: castration is the surgical removal of one or both testicles?

FALSE- removal of BOTH

how do you tell the difference between a LN and a retained testicle?

Ln= dorsal to penis retained testicle= superficial and skin is thin enough to feel- can do an open castration, prescrotal- OBLIQUE- just be careful of what vessels you may hit near the inguinal canal

Which surgical approach for dogs is part of a routine elective castration?

PRE scrotal

testicular neoplasia- rare or common in cats?

RARE

how often is the scrotal approach used on dogs/

RARELY- never really used

when closing the incision, take a bite through the ____- what do you want to avoid grabbing?

SQ and fascia avoid retractor penis muscle!

can multiple tumors occur in one testis? what increases the chance by 14x, and 23x more for sertoli cell tumors?

YES- cryptorchidism

should you leave scrotal incisions open in a cat?

YES- heal by second intention

signs of hyperestrogenism=

alopecia, gynecomastica, testicular atrophy, penile atrophy, pendulous prepuce, prostatic atrophy, prostatic cysts. reduced male behavior, may attract males, oily looking skin

how do you solve the too long pedicle/granulation situation?

anesthetize, re-cut, shorten, push into ball sack, - lift edges of scrotal incisions

post op care for castration?

apply a cold pack to surgical site for 10-15 minutes (watch out for burns), put ecollar on, and restrict exercise for 1 week

describe the surgical prep techniques for a dog?

aseptic technique- clip hair, avoid scrubbing too much, chlorex prep

why is an open castration a risk for ascending infection?

because it communicates with the abdominal cavity

how do you isolate the spermatic cord?

bluntly disrupt scrotal ligament with gauze sponge to release testicle, continue to strip fat and SQ tissue until spermatic cord is completely isolated

why should you remove a retained testicle?

can become neoplastic over time

when would you use the inguinal/abdominal approach in a dog?

cryptorchidism

castration complications are more common in dogs or cats?

dogs!

if you have a retained testicle, how can you remove it?

don't have to do open or closed- can do laparoscopic-

what do you do about prostatic cysts?

drain and remove

what shape incision do you do for a scrotal ablation?

elliptical

sertoli cells secrete_________

estrogen

true or false: in an open castration, it is necessary to remove the tunics

false- only remove if diseased

what are some common post op complications after castration?

hemorrhage/bleeder leading to scrotal hematoma, infection, scrotal inflammation/irritation, brusing

sertoli, seminoma, and interstitial tumors-- are they cured by castration?

often!

what technique is done to prevent cyst reoccurrence?

omentalization- remove from surface of prostate- usu is a cure!

if there are inguinal retained testicles, do open or closed technique?

open!- less room to pull testicle out

what are 2 other names for a castration?

orchiectomy and orchidectomy

3 ways to diagnose testicular neoplasia?

palpation ultrasound radiology presence of paraneoplastic syndrome= hyperestrogenism with sertoli cell tumors

what two structures are included in the clamps of a closed castration?

parietal tunic and cremaster muscle

when performing a closed castration, what is NOT incised?

parietal vaginal tunic

when doing an open castration, incise the ______ with scalpel or scissors, and open a window between ?

parietal vaginal tunic *parietal vaginal tunic/cremaster m and vas deferens/testicular artery and vein*

when performing an open castration, the ________ is incised allowing for more secure ligations

parietal vaginal tunic- ligate over the vascular pedicle only

what kind of grip do you want to use as you are incision over the ventral raphe?

pencil grip- make sure you are not cutting the penis or the urethra!

describe the surgical prep techniques for a cat?

pluck hair from scrotum, chlorex prep

how do you prep a cat for a castration?

pluck hair from scrotum, scrub, make scrotal incision, place caudal traction on testicle until scrotal ligament breaks, do an open or closed castration

when finished with the castration, what must you make sure to do?

replace pedicle in scrotal sac, - don't want adhesions and granuloma formation

in cats, what is the most common castration approach?

scrotal- due to anatomical difference

other reasons for castration?

scrotal/testicular trauma, neoplasia= testicular, scrotal, and perianal gland adenomas

what are the 3 most common types of tumors in the testicle?

sertoli seminoma interstitial

what are some indications for performing a feline castration?

sterilization, urethral obstruction- as part of a urethrostomy, testicular or scrotal trauma, elim of male characteristics...

appearance of testicular neoplasia?

testicle looks bumpy and hardened over surface- slow growing- do not usu metastasize very far

when would you perform a perineal/scrotal approach on a dog?

to avoid repositioning when patient is in perineal position

why should you always keep distal clamp on pedicle when removing?

to prevent tumor seeding?

complications in cats?

too long of a pedicle- stays at opening--> granulations and adherance

true or false: the testicle is a common tumor site in dogs

true

what is useful in depicting a congenital anomaly such as pseudohermaphrodite??

ultrasound

castration as part of a scrotal urethrostomy, would help with what?

urethral obstruction

if get a scrotal hematoma, what do you do?

use a hot pack on area, have animal walk around- don't want an abscess to form!

post op care for cat?

use shredded paper or unpopped corn instead of kitty litter for a few days

when is a scrotal ablation performed in a cat?

when do a perineal urethrostomy- good bc no prescrotal area- its a salvage procedure for blocked cats

what happens if you do not completely tuck back the tunic?

will get a granuloma

Sertoli, seminoma, and interstitial tumors-- do they all cause testicular enlargement? are malignant? have a high or low rate of metastasis

yes yes low rate of metastasis

what drugs are used for chemical sterilization?

zinc gluconate neutralized with L-arginine- use only in 3-10 month old male dogs off label in older dogs and in cats- sclerosis of testes