engleski

Orchiectomy of the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in field conditions

The Lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), is a large mammal from the order Perrisodactyla. Since their population in nature is declining, this species is listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN, and captive programmes in Zoos could serve as a good way of species protection in future. A 14-year-old, 198 kg, intact, otherwise healthy male from the local Zoo was presented for orchiectomy, for population management reasons. Food was withheld for 24h prior to the procedure, and water for 6h. The animal was excluded from the group, but kept in its own habitat to minimize stress. General anesthesia was accomplished with a combination of detomidine 0.1 mg/kg, butorphanol 0.1 mg/kg and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, and administered with a blowpipe. The animal was placed in dorsal recumbence after 7 minutes. The eyes and ears were covered with a towel to minimize the surrounding stimuli. ECG electrodes were placed on the feet for heart rate monitoring. Venous blood samples were drawn from the saphenous vein for complete blood count and serum chemistry. The surgical area was cleaned with an antiseptic, and covered with sterile drapes. The incision sites and both funiculi were infiltrated with 1% lidocaine. Two parallel incisions were made just cranial to the scrotum. Orchiectomy was performed with a closed vaginal tunic. Each testis was dissected from the surrounding tissue and excorporated. Circumferential and transfixational ligatures were placed on each funiculus with a resorbable multifilament suture material (Polysorb 1). The surgical wounds were not reconstructed, allowing them to drain and prevent abscess formation. Antibiotic therapy with benzylpenicillin+streptomycin was continued for two weeks, together with meloxicam 0.5 mg/kg for pain relief. After the procedure, the animal received 3 ml of atipamezol and recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. He began to eat and drink quite soon. In the following two weeks the wounds were washed daily with tap water, and healed by secondary intention.

Lowland tapir, orchiectomy, Zoo

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