Reviews about bloodless castration of rams. What is the difference between a castrated sheep and an uncastrated one?

Indications. Sheep are castrated at any age. However, it should be taken into account that animals deprived in early age, in comparison with non-castrated ones, they develop somewhat weaker. Normal development is observed in animals castrated at 3-4 months of age and later. Rams castrated at 4-5 months of age and later retain their behavioral sexual response for a long time.

Fixation and anesthesia. Rams are fixed in a lying lateral or, more often, dorsal position. An assistant holds the animal on his lap, fixing all four limbs at the same time. Young rams are often castrated without anesthesia; for rams older than 5-6 months and adults, up to 10 ml of a 3% solution of novocaine is injected into the neck of the scrotum or into the thickness of the testis; additionally, a 0.5% solution of this drug is injected along the incision line.

Operation technique. When castrating young rams open method the surgical field is pre-prepared. The hair on the scrotum along the incision line is cut off and the skin is treated with a 5% alcohol solution of iodine. Sheep are castrated both open and closed. The scrotum can be opened by cutting off its bottom. For this purpose, the bottom of the scrotum is grasped with the fingers, pulled back and cut off with a scalpel. The scrotum can also be cut along the testis along its anterior surface.

With the open method of castration, the common tunica vaginalis is opened, the testis is removed, the transitional ligament is dissected and a ligature is applied. The spermatic cord is cut off at a distance of 1-1.5 cm below the ligature.

With the closed method of castration, a ligature is applied to the spermatic cord with a common vaginal membrane. In large sheep, a stitching ligature is sometimes applied, or the ligature is applied after preliminary compression spermatic cord Zand forceps. The edges of the skin wound are treated with an alcohol solution of iodine, and the cavity of the castration wound is sprinkled with antiseptic powder.

It is recommended to castrate rams culled for age or breeding qualities with amputation of the scrotum, since it is low, the skin is sclerotic postoperative period becomes highly infected. After the operation, blood clots accumulate in the scrotal cavity; its cavity does not decrease due to skin sclerosis and atony of the levator testis. As a result, up to 20% of rams castrated by conventional methods die.

Several methods for this operation have been proposed. The skin is cut circularly in the area of ​​the neck of the scrotum and the testes with the skin are pulled down slightly. Sand forceps are applied to the spermatic cords with a common tunica vaginalis and squeezed tightly. After they are removed, a ligature is applied to this place and the testes are cut off 1-1.5 cm below it. The stump is rejected on the 14-15th day.

After infiltration anesthesia of the scrotal neck, a purse-string suture is placed on its skin, located 2 cm below the rudimentary nipples. They step back 1.5 cm from the purse-string suture and cut the skin circularly. The skin is slightly shifted downwards and Sand forceps are applied to the spermatic cords with a common vaginal tunica with strong compression for 5 minutes. Then the testes are unscrewed and the stump is powdered with an antibiotic. The previously applied purse string suture is pulled together and tied. Thus, the surgical wound is tightly closed.

If adult sheep are castrated without amputation of the scrotum, then a gauze pad soaked in iodoform, antibiotics, turpentine or ointment is inserted into its cavity. The tampon is removed on the 3-4th day.

Along with the open method of castration of rams, the bloodless (percutaneous) method is also used. Burdizzo, Golensky, Glushko, Telyatnikov and Khanin forceps are used for the operation. The forceps are applied closer to the testis on the spermatic cord. In the slotted state, hold the tongs for 5 s and then remove them. A crunch felt at the moment of compression indicates a rupture of the vessels of the spermatic cord. If there is no crunch, the forceps are moved higher by 1-1.5 cm and compressed again. Proceed in the same way with the second spermatic sac. The developing swelling disappears after a week. The testes atrophy within 5-7 months.

Male goats and sheep become foul-smelling when they reach sexual maturity, emitting foul-smelling odors to attract females. In general, the smell itself is not a big problem, but it negatively affects the quality of the meat, which also becomes smelly and unfit for consumption. You can get rid of the unpleasant odor by regular castration of animals, that is, removal of the genital organs of the sheep.

Castration is carried out in two ways - bloody and bloodless.

Bloody castration

Castration of rams should be entrusted exclusively to a professional veterinarian; performing an operation to remove the ovaries on your own, despite its apparent simplicity, is not recommended.

For castration, the veterinarian will need sharp scissors, silk threads, clean dishes, alcohol for disinfection and painkiller - novocaine.

Before castration, the ram should be tied up or tightly squeezed between the legs, so that the back part clearly protrudes and is accessible for manipulation.

Before castration, the hair around the ram's genitals must be trimmed to prevent it from getting on the open wound.

The ram's scrotum should be cut longitudinally or crosswise, the ovary should be pulled out, tied at the narrowest point with a silk thread, then take scissors and, pulling back the skin, carefully cut off the ovary. First, novocaine should be injected into the ovary itself or the area around it, using a thin syringe for this purpose.

With this method, castration of blood cannot be avoided, the main thing to remember is that both eggs will have to be cut off, and after this operation it is necessary to disinfect the resulting wound, if necessary, cauterize it with iodine, or sprinkle it with potassium permanganate.

Over the next few days after castration, the rams must be kept separately, trying to change their bedding as often as possible. Otherwise, the wound may fester and the animal may die.

Bloodless castration

Bloodless castration is carried out with special Telyatnikov forceps. The veterinarian does not additional procedures, but just picks up forceps, grabs the ovaries with them along with the membrane covering them and simply bites them off. Experienced Veterinarian Before this, be sure to carry out the above preparatory manipulations and treat the site where the ovaries were removed.

You can tell that the operation was successful and the ovaries have been removed by the characteristic crunching sound. If it is not observed, the forceps can be moved 1-2 centimeters higher or lower. Such a movement is last resort, it is best to use the forceps once, entrusting the procedure to a person with strong hands, who can easily squeeze the tongs to the desired crunch. Each ovary is bitten off individually with forceps.

Castration of rams is usually carried out at 2 months of age, but some veterinarians perform this operation at a slightly earlier age of 2 weeks. At this age, a ring specially made of vacuum rubber is placed on the scrotum and ovaries of the lamb. The diameter of the ring is only about 1-2 centimeters, which contributes to a further slowdown and subsequent complete stop of ovarian development.

This method is considered among veterinarians the most humane and painless, but nevertheless it cannot be called quite effective, since it is impossible to predict the further development of the ram; for some animals, the so-called elastration causes much greater inconvenience than the castration process itself. Animals may stop eating and begin to waste away, which should not be allowed under any circumstances; such a sheep must be slaughtered as quickly as possible.

Igor Nikolaev

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Sheep farming is a fairly profitable type of private business, so many city residents are now starting to keep sheep. And since rural life is unfamiliar to them, many of them have a lot of questions. For example, why are animals castrated? What is a castrated sheep called? Let's try to figure it out together.

It’s unclear where, but for some reason many people think that a castrated ram (or eunuch ram, eunuch ram) is called a “dude.” In fact, this word has nothing to do with sheep or livestock in general.

A bare ram is correctly called "waluh" (or "walakh"). “Cleaned” or “laid out” is another name for a castrated ram.

All of the above are words that define a male who has been artificially deprived of the ability to reproduce.

The procedure itself for depriving an animal of reproductive function is called “castration” (in other words, “emasculation”). In common parlance, the phrase “lay out the ram” is often used.

This is where another name for such males, “laying ram,” came from.

At first glance, for someone uninitiated in the intricacies of sheep farming, it seems that this procedure is not only unnecessary at all, but even harmful for business. After all, the main task of any livestock breeder is to increase the number of livestock.

So should males be castrated? The answer is clear - yes!

The main reason why this procedure is necessary is that the meat of mature, unbleached sheep acquires a specific bad smell and taste, which significantly worsens the quality of meat, for which, in general, sheep are bred. In addition, if a ram is cold, it begins to gain live weight faster and accumulate fat better. It is also important that the simplest and most accessible, and therefore cheaper, feed is enough to fatten it. Another reason for carrying out this procedure is that males stop fighting among themselves, aggression goes away, and behavior calms down.

The breeder can safely keep the females in the same room with the females, graze them together, without fear of unscheduled matings.

The main reasons why sheep farmers limit the coverage of females in some cases.

One of these reasons is the content different breeds Animals: Accidental mixing of different breeds can harm the herd.

The second reason. Sheep are very early maturing animals, and puberty in them it occurs earlier than the ewe is ready to bear offspring.

If at this age a ram covers a ewe and she bears eggs, in addition to a weak, non-viable offspring, the breeder will also receive a female with poor health.

In addition, stud rams are the elite of the breeding herd. And they are carefully selected among the strongest and most fertile individuals.

And if the remaining males are not castrated, there is a high risk that the ewe will be mated to a weak ram with poor quality characteristics.

And this is a bad offspring and direct losses for the owner. Breeding males are kept and grazed separately from the main herd, allowing access to females only during the hunting season. And don’t forget that one producer will easily cover 15-20 sheep, so keep a large number of There is simply no need for males to reproduce.

How is castration done?

At the moment, two types of castration methods (in medicine - castration) of rams are known: bloodless and surgical.

Bloodless methods

Currently, two such methods are used.

The first method involves the use of a device such as a burizzo (also used for tail docking). With its help, the skin and flesh are compressed along with the testicles. The eggs become bled and, over time, dry out and die.

The advantage of this technique is the absence of open wounds, which eliminates the risk of infection and tetanus. A serious disadvantage of the burizzo method is its pain and time-consuming nature.

The second bloodless quenching method involves the use of rubber rings. The disadvantage of this method is that the procedure can take ten to twenty days.

In some cases, the breeder performs so-called “shortened” castration using rubber rings. Its essence is that these rings only tighten the skin of the scrotum, without capturing the testicles themselves. This is not so painful, and gives the desired result, since the testicles raised up in this way are not able to participate in the fertilization process.

Surgical methods of castration

The most ancient and long-known method.

Its essence is simple - at the age of six months, the ram's scrotum is cut and both eggs are removed.

Scrotal incisions during castration of bulls and rams

A more humane method is considered to be surgical “shortened” castration. It differs from the traditional one in that only the scrotum is cut off, and the testicles themselves are pushed up and remain intact.

The result is that the male produces testosterone, but is not capable of fertilization. With complete castration there is a high risk of contracting an infection, the second one is safer from this point of view.

If you decide to start sheep farming, remember. This area, like any other, has its own subtleties and nuances, so before you start your own business in this area, try to learn as much as possible about these animals. Better yet, consult with experienced sheep breeders at first.

Indications and contraindications for surgery

Indications for surgery can be absolute and relative, but all of them are aimed at preserving the biological qualities of the animal and without compromising health. It is better to carry out the operation in spring or autumn. Sheep can be castrated at any age. However, it should be taken into account that animals that are deprived at an early age develop somewhat weaker in comparison with those that are not castrated. Normal development is observed in animals castrated at 3-4 months of age and later. Rams castrated at 4-5 months of age and later retain their behavioral sexual response for a long time. The operation is performed before the onset of puberty. It is carried out with the aim of increasing the weight of animals and improving the quality of meat. Animals castrated percutaneously increase live weight by 10-15% compared to castration by open or closed methods. Castrated male animals not only have a calmer disposition, but also their meat does not have specific smell, less harsh, to reduce fattening time. Castration is also carried out to prevent spontaneous insemination of sheep if they are kept in groups. The operation is also carried out when it is detected varicose veins veins in the testis area, with the formation of a hernia, as well as with cryptorchidism.

A castrated ram has a special name - valukh. The indication for this operation is to improve the quality and quantitative indicators meat productivity. There are no categorical contraindications to this operation, but before the operation it is necessary to examine the animal for pathological changes. Exclude chronic aseptic inflammation or edema of the common vaginal membrane. It is necessary to study the epizootic state of the area according to infectious diseases. If there are acute infectious diseases for this type of animal, surgery should be postponed. Pay attention to general state animal. It is impossible to castrate emaciated animals, since a weakened body may not tolerate surgery; for the same reason, surgery cannot be performed on animals with elevated temperature or with fever. The operation is not performed if animals are diagnosed with architis and periarchitis infectious nature. It is also necessary to take into account the sanitary condition of the animal premises in which the operation is going to be carried out. If such premises do not correspond sanitary standards, then it is better not to perform the operation, since there is a high probability of infection due to the high microbial contamination. Castration of adult rams (after 3 years) is undesirable. It is necessary to take into account the period of mass preventive vaccinations. Animals cannot be operated on no earlier than two weeks before and after the end of vaccinations. In this case, no contraindications to surgery were identified.

General preparation of the animal for surgery

For a favorable outcome of the operation important has the animal's preparation for it. Castration is not considered emergency operations, therefore, the animal must be prepared for this operation, which includes a full clinical examination, in particular body temperature, pulse rate, and respiration are measured. After the study, it is necessary to give a conclusion on the exclusion of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases such as anthrax, botulism, pasteurellosis, colibacillosis, leptospirosis, listeriosis, Aujeszky's disease, rabies, brucellosis and tuberculosis, anaerobic enterotoxemia, sheep brads, etc. Be sure to study the epizootic state of the farm or area. If the farm is unfavorable due to infectious diseases characteristic of MRS, incl. For rams, it is better to postpone the operation. Conduct a study of the reproductive system. Examines the contents of the seminal sac. Before surgery, it is necessary to empty the large intestine, bladder from the content. The animal should be washed and contaminated areas should be cleaned. Prepare the room and place where the operation will be performed. The room in which castration is performed should be clean, bright, and in good weather it is better to carry out castration outside.

Private preparation of an animal for surgery

Particular preparation of the animal concerns the preparation of a specific surgical site, in this case - preparation groin area, scrotum. This involves partial washing of the contaminated area of ​​the body and preparation surgical field. Preparation of the surgical field includes four main points:

1. Removal of fur. This is done using scissors and a razor. The hair in the groin area is cut with scissors so that closely spaced hair does not fall into the operated area. Hair removal with a razor is carried out using a wet method - first soap, then carefully shave. The fur is removed to prevent hair from getting into the wound and causing further infection. Hair located on outer surface animal body, is mechanically contaminated and has considerable microbial contamination, which can lead to infection of the body.

2. Mechanical cleaning and degreasing. A swab or napkin moistened with a 0.5% solution ammonia or furatsilin, treat the surgical field. If the surface is very dirty, for example, too greasy, you can use gasoline. Mechanical cleaning is also carried out in order to prevent the entry of infectious agents during the operation.

3. Disinfection of tanned surfaces. Disinfection is carried out to destroy the microorganism from the surface of the skin. There are several such ways

Table No. 3.1 Methods for processing the surgical field

Also, to treat the surgical field, you can use 1% iodinol, 3% novosept, etc. Treatment with a solution of furatsilin 1: 5000 is also used. Whatever drug is used, it must meet the requirements:

Be effective against permanent and superficial microflora

Have wide range antimicrobial action

The use of the drug should not be associated with significant time and should provide an effect for the duration of the entire operation

Should be suitable for all age groups

The drug should not reduce its activity in the presence of substances used in surgical practice (alcohol, other antiseptics). 4. Each treatment method ends with its isolation from surrounding areas of the body with a sheet with a slit in the center. This method is aimed at preventing microorganisms from entering the surgical field from other parts of the body, as well as from the external environment. In this operation, the sheet is not covered. Potassium permanganate is used to treat the surgical field in this operation:

Rp.: Kalii permanganatis 5% - 100.0 ml D. S. External. For triple treatment and disinfection of the skin of the surgical field, the Mouse Method

You can also use furatsilin in a dilution of 1: 1500 or 1: 5000 with water.

Rp.: Furacilini 0.1 Aquae destillatae ad 150.0 M. f. solutio

D.S. External. For treatment and disinfection of the skin of the surgical field

Preparation of the surgeon's hands, instruments, suture and dressing materials

Preparing the surgeon's hands is one of the aseptic measures that ensures the prevention of contact infection of the surgical wound. Hand preparation is a must because the skin of the hands contains grooves, crevices, etc., which contain a large number of microbes. It is noted that modern methods The preparation of the surgeon's hands is based on the use of the tanning properties of antiseptics, which compact the upper layers of the skin, thereby closing the skin openings of the gland ducts, blocking the exit of organisms and the secretion of the skin glands from them for the duration of the operation. There are three main methods for preparing hands for surgery:

1. Mechanical cleaning and degreasing. Provides for shortening nails, eliminating hangnails, and washing hands warm water with soap or a 0.5% solution of ammonia, which has bactericidal properties, better washes off exfoliating epithelium, and makes the skin elastic.

2. Chemical disinfection (aseptization). Involves the use of additional treatment with a swab soaked in 700 ethyl alcohol. Alcohol is used as an antiseptic to kill germs on the surface of the hands. The fingertips and subungual spaces are treated with a 5% alcohol solution of iodine.

Rp.: Spirtus aethylici 700 – 50.0 ml D. S. External. For treating surgeon's hands

Rp.: Sol. Jodi spirituosae 5% - 20.0 ml D. S. External. For treating fingertips, the Spasokukotsky-Kochergin method

Table No. 4.2. Surgeon's hand treatment methods

Method name	Components	Note
According to Alfeld	900 or 700 ethyl alcohol 5% alcohol iodine solution	900 alcohol if hands are not wiped after mechanical cleaning, if they are wiped - 700. Iodine solution for treating the subungual space
According to Spasokukotsky - Kochergina	0,5% ammonia solution	In two basins for 2.5 minutes or under a flowing stream of this solution. After washing your hands a second time, the water should be clear; if not, then repeat the washing. Afterwards, the hands are treated with 960 or 700 alcohol. Then the subungual spaces are treated with 5% sp. iodine solution
According to Kiyashov	0.5% ammonia solution 3% zinc sulfate solution 5% iodine solution	Within 5min 3 min after ammonia Treat subungual spaces
According to Olivekov	Iodized alcohol 1: 3000	For double processing

To treat the surgeon's hands, you can also use a 0.5% catapol solution; hand sterility is ensured for 3 hours. A solution of chlorhexidine bigluconate in 700 alcohol, diluted 1:40 with a concentration active substance 0.5% ensures hand sterility for 4 hours. 3. Leather tanning is carried out to block the gland ducts during the operation. At the present stage, such components are part of the antiseptic. To carry out this operation, the Alfeld method is used to treat the surgeon’s hands: after thorough mechanical cleaning in warm water with soap and a brush for 3 minutes, do not wipe your hands and treat them with 960 alcohol; if you dry your hands, treat them with 700 alcohol. When the skin is dry, the subungual spaces are lubricated with a 5% alcohol solution of iodine. Preparation of instruments involves compiling a list of instruments necessary for the operation. To carry out castration you need: syringes with needles, a scalpel, a surgical needle and a ligature. However, if possible, it is necessary to have other tools ready for use on hand. This is necessary in case of unforeseen circumstances. Before work, instruments must be sterilized.

For this purpose, simple or electric sterilizers are used. Sterilization is carried out in ordinary water with the addition of alkali. Place the water on the fire and boil for 3 minutes, then throw in the tools. During this time, atomic oxygen is released, due to which oxidation occurs and salts precipitate. The duration of boiling depends on the type of alkali: with sodium carbonate - 15 minutes, with borax - 20 minutes, with 0.1% caustic soda - 10 minutes. Alkalis prevent corrosion, enhance the effectiveness of sterilization and reduce sterilization time. Before boiling the scalpel, its cutting part is pre-wrapped in gauze. Surgical needles are strung on a piece of gauze so that they do not get “lost” in the sterilizer. After sterilization, the instruments are laid out on an instrument table covered in three rows with a sterile sheet or towel. If there are no conditions for sterilization by boiling, instruments are sterilized chemically by immersing them in water for a certain time. antiseptic solution. You can dip the instruments in Koretnikov's liquid: 20 g of formalin, 15 g of sodium carbonate and 1000 ml of distilled water: Rp.: Formalini 20.0 Acidi carbolici 3.0 Natrii carbonates 15.0 Aquae destillatae 1000.0 ml M. D. S. For cold (chemical) sterilization

Can be used alcohol solution furatsilin at a concentration of 1: 1500 for 45 minutes, etc.: Rp.: Sol. Furacilini 0.02 – 1000 ml D. S. For cold (chemical) sterilization Used instruments (after opening ulcers, working with cadaveric material), cannot be washed, open the locks and throw them into an alkaline liquid with the addition of 2% Lysol, boil for at least 30 minutes Syringes are placed in a sterilizer disassembled, with the mandrel removed. If there are many syringes, then they should be wrapped all together in gauze. Boil in distilled water, since alkaline solutions remaining on the walls of the syringe contribute to the decomposition of some local anesthetic substances. It should be remembered that metal instruments cannot be treated with a 5% iodine solution, since rust may form on the instruments. TO suture material include: silk, synthetic, linen, cotton threads, wire, hair, etc. The suture material must have a smooth, even surface, be elastic, sufficiently extensible and biologically compatible with living tissues, while having minimal reactogenicity and not have an allergenic effect on the body. All synthetic materials and silk must be washed, rinsed, wound on glass or glass rods and sterilize.

Table No. 4.3. Methods for preparing silk

Synthetic threads are sterilized by boiling in distilled water for 20 minutes. Metal wires and staples, as well as bone joints, are sterilized by boiling, usually along with the instruments. Catgut is a biological suture material made from the submucosal and partially muscular layers of the small intestine cattle, therefore requiring special careful processing. Depending on the caliber, it is absorbed in the tissues of the animal body in 70 to 30 days. Catgut cannot be boiled. It is used more often for embedded seams. It is produced in skeins that require sterilization, or sterile - in sealed ampoules.

Table No. 4.4. Methods for preparing catgut

Method name	Component	Essence
Gubareva	Ether Sterilization in sp. iodine solution (1g iodine, 2gKI, 100g 950 ethyl alcohol)	Catgut loosely wound on spools is degreased for 12 – 24 hours Sterilize for 14 days, which is replaced with fresh after 7 days
It rolled	4% aqueous formalin	Without preliminary degreasing for 3 days
Sadovsky – Kotylev	0.5% ammonia 2% formaldehyde in 650 alcohol	30 min 30 minutes, where stored until use
Chubarya	A liquid consisting of rectified alcohol 700-200.0, glycerin – 5.0, tincture of iodine – 8.0 and potassium iodide – 6.0	For 3 days, used for long-term storage

Sterilization of dressings (bandages, napkins, splints, compresses, tampons, etc.) and surgical linen (gowns, sheets, towels, caps) is sterilized: 1) In autoclaves under pressure. Before autoclaving, the material is loosely placed in bins; if there are no bins, then the material is placed in canvas bags or bags. A pressure of 0.5 atm corresponds to a temperature of 1150C; 1 atm – 120; 2 atm – 134. Sterilization control is carried out by placing substances whose melting point is above 1000C into the tank. 2) Sterilization with current steam is carried out in a special Koch sterilizer, and if it is not available, in a bucket or pan with a lid. Water is poured into them 1/3 full. The beginning of sterilization is considered from the moment the steam comes out, the temperature rises to 1000C. Duration: at least 30 minutes. 3) When sterilizing by ironing, the temperature is brought to 1000C, duration is at least 30 minutes. During sterilization, the temperature is brought to 1500C. Before sterilization, sheets, gauze, and napkins are moistened with water and ironed at a speed of no more than 50 cm per minute, passing over the same place 2-3 times on both sides. The ironed material is folded and placed in a sterile bag or wrapped in a sheet. Before the operation, all instruments and medications are placed on adapted tables, boxes, covered with cellophane and oilcloth.

Safety precautions and fixation of the animal during surgery

For fixation, physically strong workers are selected, able-bodied and familiar with the techniques of handling and fixing animals. Workers need to guard against head and horn strikes. In this case, the ends of the rams' horns should be filed down. Sturdy shoes must be worn. When performing an operation, the method of fixation must be chosen from the erudition of the doctor himself and his assistants. Usually, when castrating lambs from several weeks to 3 one month old fixed in a supine position. In this case, the clamp sits, and the animal is placed on its knees with its hooves up. With one hand, clamp the front and rear limbs of one side, with the other hand, the front and rear limbs of the other side. To put down an animal, rope loops with rings can be placed on the area of ​​the metacarpus and metatarsus; pass a long rope folded in half through them. The ram is brought down by bringing its legs together and bending its head with a second rope, the loop of which is tightened on the upper jaw. An animal can be brought down by entangling its individual thoracic and pelvic limbs with long ropes. Then the ends of the ropes are crossed, the clamps are placed on the side of the fall and the ends of the ropes are pulled upward. When fixing in a supine position, the head is also fixed first. You cannot use a restraint method in which the animal is held “head down”. Only after the administration of anesthesia or painkiller can it be tilted at an angle of no more than 450. In this case, the ram was fixed in a supine dorsal position.

Anatomical and topographic data of the operated area

Castration is surgery to remove the testes, which deprives the animal of the ability to reproduce. Castration of males (orchidectomy) is distinguished between complete and partial. In case of complete removal, the testes with their appendages and part of the spermatic cords are removed; in case of partial, part of the testis is excised or its parenchyma is squeezed out. In veterinary practice, ch. arr. complete castration. Methods of castration are also divided into bloody and subcutaneous (bloodless). In the first case, the walls of the scrotum are cut and the testes are removed, in the second, the nutrition of the testes is disrupted by multiplying the spermatic cords with special forceps or the testes are destroyed, completely disrupting their function. Bloody castration is called open if, after dissecting the wall of the scrotum, the common tunica vaginalis and transitional ligament are cut, and then the testis with the epididymis and part of the spermatic cord are removed. With closed bloody castration, the testes (with their appendages and part of the spermatic cords) are removed along with the common vaginal membrane, without opening it. Closed castration is used for inguinoscrotal hernias and with enlarged inguinal canals (to avoid intestinal prolapse during castration).

The testes are located in the testicular sac, in the groin area. In the caudal part abdominal wall(in the groin area), on the sides of the linea alba, between the external and internal oblique muscles, the inguinal canal is located. The inguinal ring has the appearance of an oblique slit. On one side, the gap opens under the skin and forms a superficial (subcutaneous) inguinal ring. This ring includes the spermatic cord. The external inguinal ring is formed by the external oblique muscle of the abdomen, at the transition of the abdominal plate to the pelvic plate, going to the anterior edge of the entrance to the pelvis, between its attachment to the macula and the pubic tubercle. This ring is formed at the site of a change in direction muscle fibers of this muscle. The external inguinal ring passes into the inguinal canal, which ends in the internal (abdominal) inguinal ring. The internal inguinal ring is the exit point for abdominal cavity. It is narrower and formed by the free caudal edge of the internal oblique muscle and the tendinous edge of the external oblique muscle, attached to the edge of the pelvis. This tendinous edge of the external oblique muscle is called the inguinal ligament. Between the two inguinal rings is the inguinal canal. The canal runs obliquely, subcutaneously, symmetrically to the rings and lies between the two oblique muscles. This canal contains the external levator testis, external pudendal artery and vein, branches of the external spermatic nerve, lymphatic vessels and the spermatic cord. Through this canal, the testes of males descend into the scrotum. If used incorrectly, the insides fall out through the inguinal canal, and a inguinal hernia. The testicular sac is placed in the perineal area. For males this is a very vulnerable spot. The testicular sac contains a neck, body and bottom. The testicular sac consists of:

Scrotums

External levator testis

Common vaginal lining

The strong external levator extends along the common tunica vaginalis to the middle of the scrotum.

The scrotal wall consists of:

Muscular-elastic membrane

Fascia of the scrotum

The muscular-elastic membrane is firmly connected to the skin and forms the scrotal septum. The fascia of the scrotum is highly developed and closely connected with the muscular-elastic membrane and loosely with the general vaginal membrane. The common tunica vaginalis is formed by the parietal layer of the peritoneum and the transverse fascia and lines each half of the scrotum, forming a cavity with the common tunica vaginalis. The latter communicates with the abdominal cavity through the vaginal canal. A special vaginal membrane of the testicle covers the testis with the epididymis and the spermatic cord. Its lower section, connecting the tail of the appendage with the common vaginal membrane, is flattened. It is called the inguinal ligament of the inguinal testis or transitional ligament. The epididymis in MRS is located on the dorsal side of the testis. It has a head, body and tail. The spermatic cord is covered on the outside by a fold of visceral peritoneum. It consists of two folds of the massive vascular serosa in front and a fold of the vas deferens behind. The testis is a paired parenchymal organ of males. The testis has a capitate end and a caudate end. Outside, the testis is covered with a serous membrane, which fits tightly to tunica albuginea, forming the stroma of the organ.

The parenchyma is represented by convoluted tubules in which germ cells (sperm) are formed. The testis is also an endocrine gland that produces and releases male sex hormones (testosterone and andosterone) into the blood. The testicular appendage, which is represented by highly convoluted tubules, is tightly attached to the testis. The appendage passes into the spermatic cord. When performing an open operation, all layers of the testicular sac are cut along the length of the testis: the skin, the muscular-elastic membrane, the fascia of the scrotum and the common vaginal membrane, removing the testis. The vascular fold contains the internal spermatic artery, the internal spermatic vein, internal levator testis, seminal nerve plexus and lymphatic vessels. The fold of the vas deferens includes the vas deferens, the artery and the nerve of the vas deferens.

The scrotum and external levator testis are supplied with blood from the branches of the external spermatic and pudendal arteries. From the deep femoral artery, a branch of the external pudendal artery, which follows into the inguinal canal, branches out into the scrotum. The innervation of the scrotum and common tunica vaginalis is carried out by the branches of the external spermatic nerve, the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric, and the posterior part of the scrotum is supplied by the branches of the perineal nerve. Lymphatic vessels pass in the lateral walls of the scrotum and flow into the superficial inguinal lymph nodes. The paired testicular artery supplies blood to the gonads and, passing through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord, branches in the testis, epididymis and vas deferens. The umbilical artery gives branches to the vas deferens. The tunica vaginalis of the testis is supplied with blood from the external iliac artery, which runs with the vein of the same name along the anterior edge of the ilium. Next to the named arteries there are veins of the same name, through which the outflow of blood from an organ or tissue occurs.

There is no anesthesia during this operation.

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Castration is carried out on the testicular sac, located in the groin area. In this case, with Telyatnikov’s forceps, all layers are crushed simultaneously: the skin, the muscular-elastic membrane, the fascia of the scrotum and the common vaginal membrane, the spermatic cord.

Operational reception

Percutaneous methods of castration involve squeezing or tearing the tissue of the cords through the skin, or crushing the parenchyma of the testes. This is done with fingers or using castration forceps of various designs (Burdizzo; Golensky-Glushko; Telyatnikov; Khanin and Tanybekov; Mochalovsky, etc.). The compressed spermatic cords and parenchyma of the gland remain in the scrotum. Deprived of blood supply and innervation, the epididymis and testis resolve within 2-6 months, stimulating growth and development of castrates and giving greater weight gain compared to animals castrated with complete removal testes. However, if castration forceps are used ineptly and the age of the animals being castrated is not observed, the damaged testes and appendages (usually one of them) do not resolve and the castration effect does not occur. These methods of castration of males are best used for fattening in livestock complexes. For subcutaneous (bloodless, percutaneous) castration of rams with Telyatnikov forceps, forceps are applied to the neck of the scrotum, palpating the spermatic cord and pushing it to the outer wall of the scrotum.

The spermatic cord is placed between the jaws of the castration forceps and it is crushed by bringing the handles together. In the slotted state, hold the tongs for 5 s and then remove them. A crunch felt at the moment of compression indicates a rupture of the vessels of the spermatic cord. If there is no crunch, the forceps are moved higher by 1-1.5 cm and compressed again. Do the same with the second spermatic cord. The developing swelling disappears after a week. The testes atrophy within 5-7 months. To prevent possible restoration of the parenchyma of the testes in some cases, it is advisable to apply Telyatnikov forceps twice to each spermatic cord (first at a distance of 2-2.5 cm above the upper, head end of the testis, and then directly at this end). For castration of rams no older than 2 months, you can use the so-called. elastration - placing an elastic rubber ring made of vacuum rubber on the neck of the scrotum with a special dilator. The testes, along with the scrotum, fall off after 10-15 days. In this case, castration was carried out using Telyatnikov forceps.

The final stage of the operation

After the spermatic cord breaks, the forceps are removed and powdered with streptocide or iodoform powder. The wounds are not stitched up. When castrating a given ram, stitches are not applied, but measures are taken to temporarily close the wound together or the wound is left gaping. The surface was treated with a 5% alcohol solution of brilliant green. After surgery, the surgical site is observed as a normal wound.

Postoperative treatment

After the operation, it is necessary to organize therapeutic measures to prevent postoperative complications. To prevent post-castration complications, it is necessary to follow the rules of asepsis and antiseptics and create normal sanitary and hygienic conditions for keeping castrated animals in the postoperative period. Complications during castration are more common in males. They are conventionally divided into early (occur on the first day, before the development of inflammatory edema) and late (appear subsequently). Early complications include bleeding, prolapse of the common vaginal membrane, the stump of the spermatic cord, omentum, intestinal loop, etc. They are observed infrequently, only in individual animals. When bleeding from the vessels of the scrotum, the blood flows out in frequent drops and after 15-30 minutes, as a rule, stops spontaneously. If necessary, hemostatic tweezers are applied to bleeding vessels. Bleeding from the vessels of the spermatic cord stump occurs in the form of a stream. The complication arises as a result of insufficient crushing of the spermatic cord, crossing it with castration forceps due to sharp compression of the jaws, slipping of the ligature (weak tightening, short stump), castration by avulsion, as well as flabbiness of the cord, etc. In all cases, the stump is carefully removed and a piercing is applied to it ligature. Prolapse of the common tunica vaginalis is often detected some time after castration, when the skin of the scrotum shrinks.

The fallen part of the membrane hangs down from the castration wound. The cause of this complication is the detachment of the membrane from the fascia. This often occurs as a result of layer-by-layer dissection of tissues, especially if they are strongly stretched when fixing the testis. To eliminate this complication, the fallen part of the shell is slightly tightened and cut off. Loss of the spermatic cord stump is a consequence of low application of the ligature (castration forceps) or tearing of the levator muscles of the testis at the time of pulling the cord. In such cases, the cord is carefully pulled up, a ligature is applied to it, and the fallen part of the stump is cut off with scissors. Omentum prolapse occurs in stallions and boars when castration is carried out using the open method. In this case, the omentum can be embedded in the vaginal canal or hang from the wound in the form of a loose cord. The cause of this complication may be severe anxiety of the animal, wide rings of the inguinal canals, prolonged starvation diet, castration immediately after feeding, etc. The omentum, embedded in the vaginal canal, is set into the abdominal cavity.

If the omentum falls out of the wound, it is carefully pulled out (5-10 cm) from the vaginal canal, a ligature is applied and, moving 3-4 cm away from it, the fallen part is cut off. The stump is powdered with soluble streptocide mixed with antibiotics and inserted into the abdominal cavity. In such cases, castration is transferred to a closed method. Prolapse of the intestinal loop is observed mainly in stallions and boars during open castration. This complication occurs for the same reasons as omentum prolapse. To eliminate it, immediately apply a suspension from a clean towel or sheet to the prolapsed intestine, and wash the intestine warm solution furatsilin (1: 5000), irrigated with antibiotics and inserted into the abdominal cavity. Castration is transferred to a closed method. The stump is sutured with the ends of the ligature to the walls of the inguinal canal. Late complications include inflammation of the common vaginal membrane, spermatic cord, phlegmon, scrotal gangrene, peritonitis, sepsis, etc. The main cause of such complications is the accumulation of coagulated blood in castration wounds, their infection during castration or in the subsequent period, non-compliance with the rules of surgical technique and etc. To eliminate these complications, it is necessary to immediately thoroughly treat castration wounds and prescribe general antiseptic treatment. No complications were observed during this castration, since the operation was carried out using a bloodless method, with a sterile instrument, so there were no therapeutic measures no need to carry out. This ram must be transferred to a room that meets sanitary and hygienic requirements, ensure rest and proper feeding.

Feeding, care and maintenance of the animal

Castration is planned and does not apply to complex operations. There are no complications and therefore does not require strict adherence to feeding in the postoperative period. In the first days after surgery, the animal should be kept at rest. If possible, add vitamins or preparations that strengthen the immune system and increasing the body's resistance. Daily ration feeding is the same as before surgery. An important point is the preparation of the room in which the castrated animal will be located. Because, due to high bacterial contamination, the risk of pathogen penetration through an open castration wound increases. The method of keeping a castrated animal corresponds to the type of farm, and if the animal is home-grown, as in this case, then keep it as before castration. It does not require fixation, and exercise in sunny weather will only benefit the animal.



Today some townspeople are starting to engage in agriculture, in particular livestock breeding. And here they have to deal with hitherto unfamiliar things.

Many people are just learning for the first time that cattle are castrated. And some even have their tails docked. Naturally, new farmers have no idea what a castrated goat or castrated ram is called. Also, not everyone knows why such operations need to be carried out.

What is a castrated sheep called?

Somewhere it came to be that the word “dude” has something to do with a pet. In fact, this is not true at all. And in all dictionaries a castrated ram is called valakh or valukh. Sometimes the name “valushka” is added to this series.

Although sometimes a castrated ram is called “castrated” or “laid out,” which is also correct. This is the name given to a male who has lost the ability to cover females due to surgery or other veterinary actions. Depriving an animal of this natural ability is called “castration” or “emasculation.” Sometimes people use the expression “lay out the ram” in this case.

Why is castration of males necessary?

On the one hand, it may seem to an uninitiated person that this procedure is harmful, from which the cattle breeder has no benefit. Well, in fact, is it necessary to castrate sheep if the main objective farmer - to constantly increase the number of herds?

The answer will be in the affirmative - it is necessary! And the reasons explaining why rams are castrated are as follows:

1. The meat of unbred males (bulls, boars, goats, rams and other animals) acquires a specific flavor after they reach puberty.
2. A castrated sheep gains weight faster and stores fat better. Moreover, to fatten it, less strong feed is required, which, in turn, is much cheaper.
3. Thanks to emasculation, animals lose interest in fighting among themselves, become calmer, and are not aggressive towards humans.
4. The owner does not have to bother with allocating the males a separate room and pasture from the females: now the sheep are not in danger of unwanted fertilization.

Why do sheep farmers sometimes resist covering females?

Often different animals are kept on the same farm. A sheep farmer, for example, purchased individuals of more advanced breeds. But he still has some young stock left from the previous plant. Mixing different breeds of animals is not only pointless, but also harmful.

Some females, being early ripening, are ready for mating at a fairly young age. But fertilization ahead of time will undermine the health of the animal; its offspring may be weak and non-viable.

There is also the danger of covering the ewe with a weak ram. This can also lead to the birth of a low-quality offspring.

To prevent this from happening, the farmer is forced to keep males and females separately. And he also has to allocate pastures for grazing in different places. And this requires attracting additional labor units and financial investments. Therefore, the easiest way out here would be to castrate outbred or simply excess rams. After all, for normal functioning For a herd of 15 sheep, one full-fledged adult ram is enough.

What is castration?

Synonyms for this word are, as mentioned above, wallowing, laying out, hollowing. The medical name for this procedure is castration.

What is the process itself? The goal of man is to artificially induce infertility in a male. This can be achieved in several ways.

Bloodless methods of emasculating lambs

There are two known today. The first is done using special device called burizzo. It is used for both tail docking and castration.

Using burizzo, the skin and flesh along with the testicles are compressed. Thanks to this action, they bleed and dry out. It can be considered positive that it allows you to avoid infection of open wounds and tetanus infection of the animal. The negative side is that the procedure is quite painful and takes a long time.

Rubber rings are also a bloodless method. This procedure can last from 10 to 20 days.

Sometimes sheep farmers use rubber rings for shortened castration, when they only tighten the skin of the scrotum without capturing the testicles. This process is less painful. But the desired result is achieved, since the raised testicles cannot participate in the fertilization of females.

Laying out males using a scalpel

Very often, veterinarians act the old fashioned way - they perform an operation on a ram that has reached six months, only by treating the skin with alcohol before cutting it. Few people think about doing anything to relieve the pain of the procedure.

But nevertheless, some people still believe that since animals are under the power of man and serve him, even as food, then he is simply obliged to reduce their suffering as much as possible. Therefore, shortened castration was invented not so long ago.

This procedure differs from the traditional method of surgery in that during it only the male’s scrotum is removed. The ram's testicles themselves remain intact, but are pushed up. Due to this, the male, although he produces testosterone, is not able to fertilize the sheep.

And finally, everyone knows about castration itself, during which the ram’s scrotum is cut, the testicles are released and removed. As a result of the operation it turns out open wound, which can get infected from the outside with dust, dirt, flies and other insects.

A person who decides to engage in cattle breeding should know more about his business. And that’s why it’s so important to keep abreast of all the innovations that scientists and veterinarians offer sheep farmers.