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A Less Invasive Technique for Spaying Pet Pigs
Author(s) -
Biedrzycki Adam,
Brounts Sabrina H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2012.01084.x
Subject(s) - medicine , perioperative , body weight , surgery
Objectives To determine if ovariectomy (OVE) by electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing (EBVS) is a safe alternative to ovariohysterectomy (OVH) by hand‐tied ligatures as a method of spaying in pigs. Study Design Retrospective case series. Animals Intact female pigs (n = 14). Methods Medical records (2001–2010) of pigs admitted for sterilization were reviewed for signalment, surgical technique, intra‐ and postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, and outcome. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained by owner questionnaire. Results Mean ± SD age and mean weight was 131 ± 86 days and 13.0 ± 6.2 kg, respectively. There were 5 OVH pigs and 9 OVE pigs; age and weight were not significantly different between groups. When comparing OVE to OVH, mean incisional length was less (12 ± 6 cm OVE; 22 ± 6 cm OVH; P < .01) and surgical time was short (50 ± 9 min OVE; 103 ± 15 min OVH; P < .01). Intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in 1 OVH pig. Postoperative complications included hemorrhage (n = 1), fever (3), hypothermia (2), surgical site infection (1), and inappetence (3). Return to normal behavior and appetite was significantly shorter for OVE pigs (1.10 ± 0.93 days; 4.30 ± 0.94 days OVH; P < .01). After a mean follow‐up of 36 months, no difference between groups could be observed. Conclusion OVE using EBVS is a faster surgical technique with less perioperative complications when compared to OVH with ligatures. OVE can potentially replace OVH as a spaying method in pigs.