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THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE (AEC)

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FORM(For Domestic Fowl, Native Fauna/Wildlife, Domestic Livestock & Laboratory Animals)

Title of Procedure:Vasectomy (Rams) (L11)

Objective:

 To render a ram incapable of reproducing by normal copulatory means, but

allowing it to continue to display normal libido.

Details of Procedures:

Antibiotic premedication (with a long-acting, broad –spectrum parentral

antibiotic) is provided to all rams 24-48 hours before surgery.

All rams are fasted (including water) overnight immediately before surgery.

 THE OPERATION IS CONDUCTED IN AN AREA APPROVED FROM SURGERY, UNDER

 THE NORMAL SURGICAL DISCIPLINE OF ASEPSIS.

Eac h ram is sedated using an appropriate does of Xylazine. The skin area at

the base of the c ranial aspect of the scrotum is clipped and prepared

aseptically (washed with hibitane or iodine-based detergent solution and

swabbed with alcoholic iodine), then 2% plain lignocaine is injec ted

subcutaneously and intramuscularly.

A 2-3cm skin incision is made at the base of the scrotum and the vas deferens

located by palpation. The vas deferens is moved to the incision and a 2cmlength excised flowing double ligation of the two ends.

 The same procedure is then repeated for the contralateral vas deferens, using

the same skin incision.

 The incision is then sutured and a topical antibiotic dressing applied.

Drug, Chemicals or Biological Agents:

  Long-acting broad-spectrum antibiotics

  Xylazine

 2% plain lignocaine

Care of Animals after the Procedure:

Antibiotic cover should be continued for one week. Animals should be closely

supervised to ensure they are able to stand following sedation, then checked

12 hourly for the 24 hours immediately following surgery. They should not be

held in dusty or muddy yards. If returning to paddocks animals should be

walked slowly and quietly. Wounds should be checked every second day for

signs of infec tion or fly strike.

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Qualifications, Experience, Skills or Training Necessary to Perform this

Procedure:

All operators should be familiar with the behaviour and handling methods of 

the animals they are using. In addition, operators should be familiar with

anaesthetic and surgical techniques involved with vasectomy.

Effects of Procedure on Wellbeing of Animals:

Should be Nil, procedure is well tolerated.

Pain Relief Measures:

Sedation and local anaesthesia at the time or surgery.

References:

Gordon, I. (1983) Controlled Breeding in Farm Animals, Butterworth’s.

Moule, G.R. (ed) (1963) Field Investigations with Sheep – a Manual of  Techniques, CSIRO.

Webster, W.M. (1954) New Zealand veterinary Journal, 2:10 

Prepared by: Ruth Tremont (UNE Direc tor of Animal Welfare) and Dr G Hinch

(Department of Animal Science, UNE), 1993

Reviewed by:A/Prof J im McFarlane (Science and Technology), 2006