Surgical contraception of free-ranging female capybaras: Description and comparison of open and minimally invasive techniques

Objective To develop, describe, and evaluate 2 surgical techniques for contraception of free-ranging female capybaras. Study design Prospective study. Animals Cadaveric (n = 3) and free-ranging female capybaras (n = 21). Methods Preliminary studies of surgical anatomy were performed on 3 capybara cadavers. Two different techniques for partial salpingectomy were evaluated in free-ranging female capybaras: bilateral minilaparotomy (LTG; n = 11) or bilateral laparoscopy (LCG; n = 10). Data concerning body weight, tubal ligation time, total surgical time, incision size, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed, as well as the clinical status and incisional healing 1 week postoperatively. Results Body weight (P = .214), ligation time of the left uterine tube (P = .901), and total surgical time (P = .473) were similar between the experimental groups. The ligation time of the right uterine tube was shorter in the LCG group (P = .0463). In the LTG, no differences were observed between the sides regarding the incision size (P = .478). No major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in either group. One LCG procedure had to be converted to LTG due to technical issues. All skin incisions healed without complication. Conclusion Both procedures showed similar and satisfactory outcomes. Clinical significance The proposed techniques may be a suitable alternative to conventional laparotomy for contraception of female capybaras, especially under field conditions.