Surgical Procedures in Pigs

Scrotal Hernia Repair in the Pig

		General anatomy of the male reproductive tract. Note the tract of the vas deferens. In addition note that the pig’s testes is ‘upside’ down with the tail of the epididymis at the top of the testes.
im injection in an adult	Preparation: Remove pig from feed and water for 8 hours. Clean pig. Pigs over 3 weeks of age should be anaethesized for castration Sedation and anaesthesia Intramuscular injection of Telazol^® - xylazine-ketamine mixture (“TKX”). Reconstitute powdered Telazol^® with 250mg xylazine (2.5ml) and 250mg ketamine (2.5ml). Dose at 1ml/25-35kg Alternative could be intramuscular injection of xylazine 0.5-2.2 mg/kg IM and Telazol^® 3-6 mg/kg IM.

Identify the pig with the scrotal hernia. A means of holding the pig makes repair easier	Push the scrotal hernia up into the groin	Incise the skin over the hernia. Do not puncture the vaginal tunic
Grasp the testes and free it by blunt dissection.	Twist the testes and vaginal tunic, pushing any intestinal contents back into the abdomen
		Cut the cord above the vicryl stitch or vaginal tunic knot. Place a mattress stitch into the skin to close the wound. Allow the piglet weaner to recover in a warm box.
Tie off the base of the twist using 0 vicryl placing a stay stitch into the base of the twisted vaginal tunic. It may be possible to knot the twisted vaginal tunic.