Preliminary tests of a new reversible male contraceptive in bush dog, Speothos venaticus: open-ended vasectomy and microscopic reversal.

Open-ended vasectomies were performed on four male bush dogs (Speothos venaticus), with three having microscopic reversal surgery (vasovasostomy) between 10 and 20 mo post-vasectomy. The key to ease of reversal is leaving the distal (testicular) end open to allow leakage, resulting in a pressure-relieving granuloma. The proximal (abdominal) end is cauterized, providing an effective seal. This technique prevents the buildup of pressure in the epididymis, therefore limiting damage to the male's reproductive capacity. Described here are detailed procedures for both surgeries. One of the three males that underwent vasovasostomy has successfully impregnated his female partner. This study demonstrates that these techniques can be successfully applied to animals. With the two remaining pairs, none of the four individuals were proven breeders prior to the study, so it is not possible to eliminate the possibility of previously existing infertility. This technique may have limited application for carnivores, because vasectomy does not prevent potential adverse effects to females from prolonged, cyclic exposure to endogenous progesterone. In other taxonomic groups (e.g., primates, ungulates, marsupials, and rodents) in which multimale groupings are common, this reversible male sterilization technique could provide managers with the ability to control which males reproduce without eliminating their future reproductive capacity or social interaction.

Prepubic urethrostomy and placement of a caudal superficial epigastric flap for treatment of a self-mutilation injury in a serval.

A 10-year-old male serval was examined for treatment of a self-inflicted perineal wound that obliterated the ventral anocutaneous junction, penis, scrotum, testicles, and proximal portions of the caudomedial thigh muscles. Repair required placement of a caudal superficial epigastric flap and prepubic urethrostomy. Although it is generally preferable to delay repair of contaminated wounds until a healthy wound bed is established, circumstances related to wound location, affected tissues, and patient compliance led to a decision for immediate wound closure. In this serval, a history of food intolerance, recent diet change, eosinophilia, and eosinophilic granuloma-like skin lesions suggested that the self-mutilation injury was a result of food hypersensitivity, although foreign body or a spider bite could not be ruled out.

Surgical extraction of a fractured, non-vital deciduous tooth in a tiger.

A 10-month-old, female/intact tiger (Panthra tigris) was presented for a fractured deciduous mandibular right canine tooth, mandibular swelling, and a cutaneous draining tract ventral to the apex of the fractured tooth. The tooth had chronic pulpal exposure and was considered non-vital with periapical osteomyelitis. This case report describes treatment to optimize normal development and eruption of the permanent mandibular right canine tooth.

Surgical implantation of radiotelemetry transmitters in European badgers (Meles meles).

The suitabilities of two subcutaneous and two intraabdominal surgical approaches were evaluated for implantation of telemetry transmitters in the European badger (Meles meles). Two transmitters, one for heart rate and the other for body temperature, were needed in each badger. Five wild badgers were trapped, housed in an outdoor pen, anesthetized, and surgically implanted with one or two transmitters per procedure. A total of 16 transmitters were implanted, 10 subcutaneously and six intraabdominally, and each badger had up to three procedures performed. Six subcutaneous transmitters were placed over the chest wall and four on the dorsal aspect of the neck. Three intraabdominal transmitters were placed free in the abdomen and three were fixed to the abdominal wall. Eight of the subcutaneous transmitters were later damaged or dislodged, probably by mechanical friction, injuries from fighting, or wound licking. The intraabdominal implantation procedures were easier and faster to perform compared with subcutaneous procedures. Two of the free intraabdominal transmitters became thinly encapsulated, with some omental adhesions. The fixed intraabdominal approach for transmitter implantation is preferable in badgers.

Odontoclastic resorptive lesion of a mandibular right first molar in a cougar.

A two-year old neuteral/male cougar (Felis concolor) was presented because of abnormal eating habits and an irregularity of the mandibular right first molar that was noted by the caretaker. Oral examination and dental radiographs showed a lesion consistent with odontoclastic resorption of the mandibular right first molar, and a crown fracture and dilacerated root of the maxillary right first incisor. Exodontic therapy was performed on both teeth. The caretaker reported no problems associated with the patient's oral cavity 10-months following treatment.

Surgical plating of a fractured radius and ulna in a wild Canada lynx.

A free-ranging, adult male Canada-lynx (Lynx canadensis) experienced a closed, complete, non-comminuted transverse fracture of the left radius and ulna when captured in a leg snare. A dynamic compression plate (DCP) attached to the anterior surface of the radius was used to stabilize the fracture. Radiographs 44 days post-surgery indicated advanced primary bone healing. The lynx was released 46 days post-surgery near the site of capture. Radiotelemetry indicated long-term survival and movements similar to other males monitored during the same period.

Surgical management of collapsed pelvis in a jaguar.

An immature jaguar was surgically treated for severe constipation caused by a narrow pelvic canal. This narrowing was attributed to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. The ventral floor of the pelvis was widened by placing a piece of high density polyethylene between the 2 sides of the pubis after symphysiotomy and stabilizing the implant with orthopedic wires. This procedure provided stable fixation and permanent enlargement of the pelvic canal. The technique was easy to perform and could be used to treat pelvic collapse in other species.

Desheathing the nodose ganglion is not a reliable method of de-efferentation in the ferret.

The present study reports the results of physiological and anatomical experiments in which the purpose was to determine whether desheathing the nodose ganglion is a reliable method of vagal de-efferentation in the ferret. In physiological studies, the effects of electrically stimulating the treated and untreated vagal nerves on cardiovascular and intestinal responses were examined and compared with previously obtained data after left supranodose vagotomy. The anatomical studies illustrated the effects of desheathing the left nodose ganglion on the transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) within a thoracic vagal communicating branch. These data were compared to data from control animals and animals that had undergone left supranodose vagotomy. The results demonstrated that severing the fascicles overlying the left nodose ganglion and allowing the nerve fibers to degenerate, caused no reduction in labeled efferent cell bodies in the left dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus as compared to controls. However, after left supranodose vagotomy there were no efferent cell bodies labeled in the left dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Following degeneration of the fascicles, electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut end of this nerve did not abolish the efferent responses in 7 out of 9 animals studied, whereas supranodose vagotomy abolished the responses in all animals. These findings demonstrate that desheathing the nodose ganglion and thereby removing the nerve bundles overlying the nodose ganglion is not a guaranteed method of destroying the efferent fibers in the vagus nerve of the ferret. Supranodose vagotomy, therefore, is a more reliable method of de-efferentation in this species.

Adrenalectomy in the ferret.

A simple adrenalectomy technique is presented for the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). The adrenal glands were removed in two operations with an interim recovery period of approximately 1 week. The right adrenal should be removed first, as the surgery is complicated on that side by fascia which binds the adrenal to the inferior vena cava. Salt solution (1% NaCl) in place of water will maintain sodium balance.

Surgical implantation of radiotelemetry devices in American river otters.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation elected to investigate the feasibility of reintroducing American river otters (Lutra canadensis) into Oklahoma waterways. Intra-abdominal radiotelemetry devices were selected to monitor otter movements following release. For implantation of those devices, the anesthetic regimen included a mixture of ketamine HCl, xylazine, and acepromazine maleate given intramuscularly followed by delivery of isoflurane through precision vaporizers. A ventral midline approach and adherent surgical barrier drapes facilitated aseptic placement of the devices, with minimal tissue damage and loss of insulating pelage. Absorbable monofilament suture (polydioxanone) was used in a buried 3-layer closure of surgical incisions. The incisions healed rapidly and without complications.