08/09/08, 02:30 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Alaska
Posts: 3,606
|
|
|
Wethering - knife castration
We wethered two of our boys last night via knife method and everything
went really well. It isn't pleasant for anyone involved, but if done
correctly, it is probably the fastest and most humane way to castrate.
I spoke to my vet before we did it and he gave me some pointers. He
prefers the pull method over the scrape method but I was afraid of
bleed-out or hernia so we did the scrape method. He warned me to steer
clear of opening the membrane around each teste, as that would make it
more difficult to complete the job and possibly lead to more bleeding,
trauma, and infection. He also confirmed that a shot of banamine would
be helpful. The only trouble I had was in getting access to the cord
high enough up into the scrotum. A little patience and gentle
manipulation and I think we did ok.
All in all the boys handled it really well. They seemed to be much more
upset about being shaved and restrained as both of them yelled more when
I was preparing them than when I actually made the cuts. A shot of
fortified b-complex and tetanus anti-toxin afterward and they went on
their way to have some dinner before bed. This morning they are doing
just fine, staying active and calm and eating well.
Of note, Dr. Pittman suggested that we administer both the Tetanus
Toxoid (usually given a combination of CD&T) *and* the Tetanus
Anti-toxin. I also read this recommendation on Langston University's e
(Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research site. Dr. Pittman cited
increased risk of anaphylaxis with the Anti-Toxin vs. the Toxoid and
prolonged exposure with an opened wound that would extend past what the
Anti-Toxin can do. I under stand the latter but the former seems moot
if you're going to give the Anti-Toxin anyway. Another good reason to
have epinephrine on-hand for all injections anyway. We hadn't
vaccinated for CD&T and Jeffer's just sent me an expired bottle in my
order (*&@*^&%*^!!!!!!) so we only did the Tetanus Anti-Toxin for now.
We are very glad to have a nice, soft, dense lawn where we can pen them
while they heal so that sawdust & hay & straw & feces or other materials
don't have a chance to get into the wounds. I think that was a very
helpful tip we read about when preparing last night.
The only thing I wonder is how much I should let the wound on the
scrotum close up on its own in these first few days? We of course did
not stitch it shut so it can drain properly, but they are already
closing up and it made me wonder. I am guessing that it is best to keep
it clean and dry and leave it alone, not trying to keep it open. Is
that right? Would you only want to force it back open if there is an
infection that needs to drain? When they are done healing, will they
still have a scrotum? Seems like a lot of tissue still hanging around.
Of course my boys are older than most that are wethered, I think (almost
4 months), so they were pretty well developed and I didn't cut much of
the scrotum off (just enough to get inside).
Has anyone else done the knife method on their goats?
|
