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.