Castrating calves and lambs

Introduction

     Castration means the process of rendering the animal ineffective for breeding. Unless required for breeding purposes, male calves, ram lambs, and buck kids should be castrated early in life; the best age is 8 to 10 weeks for calves and one to two weeks for lambs and kids.
     The main reasons for castrating are to make the animals docile, to produce more desirable carcass, and to increase body weight gain.
      A number of methods are in use. Castration may be done with a knife, a Burdizzo, or an elastrator. Since it is preferable to use bloodless methods, therefore, details of only such methods are given below:

1. Burdizzo castration

Introduction

     It has been named after its inventor, Dr. Burdizzo (an Italian). In using this method it is important that the cord does not slip out, that only one cord is clamped at a time and that there should be no interference with the circulation of blood. The testicles are made function-less through destroying their channels of nourishment. Complete atrophy of the testicles follows in about six weeks.

Procedure

   Make the animal lie down on its side.  Make sure the place is properly bedded. Control the head and legs of the animal and work the cord to the side of the scrotum. Clamp the Burdizzo about 4 cm above the testicles where it is held for a few seconds. As a precaution repeat this procedure on the same cord at a location about 1/2 to 1 cm removed from the first one. Repeat the same procedure on the other testicle.

2. Elastrator

Introduction

   The elastrator is an instrument employed to stretch tight rubber-bands used for castrating and docking of animals. The bands fit tightly around the scrotum/tail. The circulation is shut off and the testicles/tail gradually dry/dries and drops off.
   The elastrator is the invention of A.O. Hammond, a sheep farmer of Blenheim, New Zealand.

Procedure

   Hold the animal in either a sitting or lying position. Set the specially designed rubber-band (ring) on the jaws of elastrator. Stretch the band sufficiently so that both the testicles can be pressed through it, releasing it there at the base of the scrotum near the abdomen. Within a weak or so the process of castration is completed. Watch for extraordinary swelling/wound and flystrike.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sugar •        Sugar has been described both in history and recently as a topical wound treatment. •        The basis for its use is its high osmolality. •        Thus, it is effective in reducing edema due to its hydrophilic action. •        It has also been reported to attract macrophages, accelerate slough of devitalized tissue, provide cellular energy, and promote granulation tissue. •        Its use should be discontinued after the wound has a good bed of granulation tissue. •        It has been reported to be effective against Staph., Strep., Enterobacter, E. coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Serratia organisms. •          It reportedly does not cause hyperglycemia. •        It should be used with caution on large wounds. Its hydrophilic action can pull more fluids, electrolytes, and proteins from the wound tissues.  
Read more

Nematodes

Image
    General Characteristics: Nematodes are commonly called roundworms because, as the name suggests, they are round when viewed in cross section. They are cylindrical in structure and taper towards their anterior and posterior ends. They are bilaterally symmetrical. The sexes are separate in most species, a few are hermaphrodite. Nematodes that parasitize domestic animals are found in all parts of the body but are most commonly found in the digestive and respiratory tracts, and in the circulatory system.
Read more
PHYSICAL EXAM PROCESS 1)  Signalment / History 2)  General Appearance / Initial Observations 3)  Vital Signs 4)  Physical Exam (Systems Approach or Head to Toe) 5)  Surgical / Anesthetic Risk Assessment 6)  RAVS Animal Condition (RAC) Score
Read more