Ovariectomy in Mouflons (Ovis aries) in the Field: Application of Innovative Surgical and Anaesthesiological Techniques

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Often the overpopulation of wild animals can cause the destruction of the environment, for which the solutions are catches, culling, or birth control. Ovariectomy is a useful intervention for birth control. This report describes an innovative technique of gonadectomy, using a suitable anesthetic/analgesic protocol and an innovative device for the surgical ovariectomy, in the field conditions. This technique is simple to use, free of side effects, and can be used in a wildlife clinic. ABSTRACT: This report describes an innovative technique of ovariectomy useful for the birth control in the mouflon population. Thirteen female mouflons in reproductive age were submitted to ovariectomy via midline and left flank, using the AESCULAP CAIMAN(®) Seal and Cut device. The CAIMAN(®) was useful for clamping the ovary, stapling the vessels, and cutting in one stroke, thus reducing the surgery times. The day after the gonadectomy all animals were mobilized to another enclosure. In this study, no intraoperative and post-operative complications were observed, and all animals were gonadectomized without side effects. This study sets the guidelines for the surgical sterilization of mouflons in the field using anesthetic protocols and high-quality surgical procedures.