Spay/Neuter | opossumcare

Spay/Neuter:

This video shows a spay being performed on a female opossum. If you cannot get the video to play, please go to the following link to view. There is an age restriction on who can view this, so you will need to sign into YouTube to verify that you are over the age of 18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH_ntmg5Rdw

Preparation for ovariohysterectomy. Note the pouch folds.

. Visualization of the ovaries and uterine horns.

The labelled unidentified structures may be the paired lateral vagina?

Ovarian vessels have been ligated and exteriorized.

The uterine horns are removed proximal to the median vagina.

Neuter:

The scrotum is easily visualized and is attached to the body by a thin stalk.

Skin incision made over each testis on both sides.

Ligamentous attachments to the testis are freed and the vasculature is isolated.

. Double-ligation of the testicular vessels.

Skin incision closed with a single subcutaneous cruciate stitch.

Scrotum post-surgery, and a view of the forked penis.

Pyometra:

A big thank you to Robyn Roberts for allowing me to use these images!

What is Pyomtera?

Pyometra is a secondary infection that occurs as a result of hormonal changes in the female's reproductive tract.

What are the symptoms of Pyometra?

Mucous or bloody vaginal discharge (may or may not be present)
Lethargy or low energy.
Drinking more and urinating more.
Vomiting.
Anorexia (decreased or absent appetite)
Heat cycle may seem to last longer.
Licking the vulva more than normal.
Swollen or painful abdomen.

What are the first signs of pyometra?

Symptoms of pyometra include early warning signs of the animal feeling unwell, such as vomiting, refusal to eat, lethargy, increased thirst and frequent urination. She may also appear to be uncomfortable, because pyometra is a particularly painful condition.

What is the treatment for Pyometra?

Pyometra should always be treated as an emergency situation with very aggressive therapy. IV fluid and antibiotic therapy are initiated right away. Once the animal is stable enough, it is taken to surgery for an ovariohysterectomy (spay).

If left unchecked, septicemia will set in and the animal will likely not survive.

How can I avoid Pyometra from occurring?

Spaying is the only preventative measure.

Fluid filled round structure on the left of the screen is one of her lateral vaginas, the other fluid (black) filled structure to the right is her urinary bladder.

The yellow arrow is one horn of her uterus, the purple arrows are her lateral vaginas. Only one of her uterine horns was filled with pus, the other was normal. The lateral vaginas were filled with fluid.

That lovely yellow stuff is the pus that was inside her uterine horn. The pus as well as the vaginal fluid will be cultured so that we know exactly what was brewing in there.

The green arrow is the uterine horn, the white arrows are lateral vaginas.

A drawing depicting the female reproductive organs.