Does a cat castrate involve entry into a body cavity or not?

RE: Does a cat castrate involve entry into a body cavity or not?

David Beattie — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 09:58:37 GMT

The castration of cats by a non-MRCVS is forbidden under Part2 of Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeon's Act 1966 [Part1 of schedule 3 says, somewhat vaguely, what things are allowed to be done by non-MRCVS, Part2 lists, rather specifically, things that definitely cannot be done]:

"Part II: Exclusions from Provisions of Part I

Nothing in section 19(4)(b) of this Act shall authorise—

(a)the castration of a male animal being—

...

(iv)a cat or dog;"

Personally, I would consider a cat castration minor surgery and I would not call entering the scrotum entering a body cavity (but appreciate others may differ on this point). The explicit prohibition in the Act however means it does not matter whether one interprets cutting into the scrotum as entering a body cavity or not - cat castrations are listed as not allowed by a non-MRCVS.

As far as I can see from the annotated Act (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1966/36), nothing has changed in this part of legislation since 1966, so I don't think cat castrations have ever been legal for a Vet Nurse to do, but I'm no legal expert!

Dave

RE: Does a cat castrate involve entry into a body cavity or not?

apache — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 18:16:44 GMT

The testicles are contained in the vaginal tunic, which is continuous with the peritoneum, so are therefore inside the peritoneal cavity. Nothing to do with the inguinal canal being 'open' or not. The testicular artery passes through the inguinal canal so IS always open to a degree.

RE: Does a cat castrate involve entry into a body cavity or not?

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:57:48 GMT

You can’t tell whether the scrotum communicates with the pelvis until you start the procedure and that’s why nurses can no longer perform the procedure. In theory we are allowed to perform tail amoutations which isn’t a minor op

RE: Does a cat castrate involve entry into a body cavity or not?

Loobyfly — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:37:24 GMT

Thank you. I know we are not allowed to do them anymore but I was told by my tutor (twenty years ago, admittedly!) it was because they were not classed as minor surgery. But I was having a discussion with my colleague today as to whether or not they did go into a body cavity as well. Think I was probably in the wrong and need to apologise

RE: Does a cat castrate involve entry into a body cavity or not?

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:20:15 GMT

As far a schedule three is concerned yes as the scrotum often communicates with the pelvic cavity. Have a look on the RCVS website regarding schedule three procedures for RVN. we used to be able to perform cat castrates. But no longer due to the above reason