Elective neutering of female dogs and cats is one of the commonest surgeries performed in veterinary practice. Over the last decade, sterilization techniques in the bitch have advanced with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques and the acceptance of both ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy for routine neutering. This chapter addresses anatomy and surgical procedures, broken down into uterus; ovaries; vagina, vestibule and vulva; and external genitalia. Practical tips are highlighted throughout. Operative techniques: Canine ovariohysterectomy; Canine ovariectomy; Feline ovariohysterectomy; Caesarian section; Episioplasty; Episiotomy.

Rabbits are popular pets and many are presented to veterinary surgeons with a history of sudden lameness caused by a fracture. For many clinicians this is a daunting prospect. This chapter covers the various types of fracture in rabbits, how to formulate a treatment plan, treatment options, and assessment of the patient and fracture. It goes on to address orthopaedic surgery, the management of specific fractures and postoperative complications. Operative Techniques: External fixation of a tibial fracture.

Gastric dilation is a common clinical syndrome in rabbits and is often confused with ileus, gastrointestinal hypomotility or gut stasis. Some of the confusion originates in the terminology used, so the terms used in this chapter are defined in Figure 14.1 . This chapter covers anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract; intestinal obstruction; diagnosis of intestinal obstruction; site of obstruction; causes of intestinal obstruction; gastrointestinal hypomotility, together with a protocol for rabbits with gastric dilation. Quick Reference Guides/Techniques: Passing a stomach tube to decompress the stomach; Milking a foreign body through the small intestine.

The humerus lies within the brachium, articulating proximally with the scapular glenoid to form the shoulder joint and distally with the radius and ulna to form the elbow joint. This chapter looks at humeral diaphyseal fractures, fractures of the distal humerus. Operative techniques: Salter-Harris type I and II fractures of the proximal humerus; Salter-Harris type III fractures of the proximal humerus; Medial approach to the humeral diaphysis for bone plate application; Medial approach to the distal humerus for bone plate application; Lateral approach to the humeral diaphysis for bone plate application; Lateral approach to the distal humerus for bone plate application; Lateral condylar fractures; Medial condylar fractures; Intracondylar Y-T fractures; Intramedullary pinning; Pin-plate application; Linear external skeletal fixation of the humerus; Supracondylar humeral fractures; Placement of a medial to lateral transcondylar positional cortical bone screw for humeral intracondylar fissure.

Differentiation of large bowel disease from small intestinal disorders is based on history and clinical examination. The clinical signs are a result of disruption of the functions of the large bowel – namely, absorption of water and electrolytes from luminal contents, and storage and periodic expulsion of faecal material. This chapter addresses anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of many different conditions. Operative techniques: Colotomy; Colectomy; Typhlectomy (caecal resection); Incision colopexy; Anal ‘pull-out’ procedure for lesions requiring full-thickness resection; Rectal ‘pull-through’ procedure; Dorsal rectal approach; Ventral approach to the rectum; Perineal herniorrhaphy in a male dog; Anal sacculectomy; Anoplasty.

The testes are paired ovoid organs normally located in the scrotum and are responsible for producing both the male hormone (testosterone) and the male gametes (sperm). This chapter considers the anatomy and conditions of the testicle, the prostate gland and the penis and prepuce as well as urethrostomy procedures. Operative techniques: Canine castration; Prostatic abscess management (intracapsular prostatic omentalization); Partial resection and omentalization for discrete prostatic cysts; Canine penile amputation; Canine scrotal urethrostomy; Feline perineal urethrostomy (PU); Prepubic urethrostomy (PPU).

This chapter looks at the management of developmental abnormalities of the hard and soft tissues of the head, including occlusion and malocclusion, abnormalities of teeth, lip and palate defects. Operative Techniques: Obtaining a full-mouth impression, bite registration and creating stone models; Fabrication of a direct inclined plane; Active orthodontic appliance with brackets, buttons or ligature wires and elastic chain.

Periodontal disease is the most common pathological condition occurring in adult dogs and cats. This chapter covers the diagnosis and management of periodontal disease, providing detailed instruction on the use of a range of equipment, instruments and materials. Operative Techniques: Professional dental cleaning and closed periodontal therapy; Open periodontal therapy; Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty.

Although the use of operating loupes and surgical microscopes has been commonplace in human neurosurgery, ophthalmic surgery and reconstructive surgery for decades, experience with microvascular free tissue transfer is limited in veterinary surgery. Despite this fact, the utility of microvascular free tissue transfer for one-stage reconstruction of difficult problems, particularly of the distal limbs and the oral cavity, has been established. Early reconstruction of traumatic tissue loss using vascularized tissue is feasible, as is functional and cosmetic reconstruction after ablative cancer surgery. Tissues transferred in this manner are referred to as ‘microvascular free tissue transfers’, ‘free flaps’, ‘microvascular free flaps’, or ‘autogenous vascularized grafts’. Topics discussed are as follows: Microvascular technique; and Specific flaps in the dog and cat. Operative techniques: End-to-end anastomosis; End-to-side anastomosis; Raising a trapezius muscle flap; Raising a latissimus dorsi muscle flap; and Harvesting a vascularized ulnar graft.