Orchiectomy in the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus)

Abstract

The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is globally protected species and involved in a species restoration program by the Korea National Park Service. However, the bears could not be released into the wild were required regulation of population due to the limited space of breeding facility, so surgical castration was performed in two males. Bears were immobilized with a combination of 2 mg/kg tiletamine-zolazepam and 40 μg/kg medetomidine, and general anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane via endotracheal tube intubation. Orchiectomy was carried out by the closed method using the LigaSure vessel sealing device through pre-scrotal incision. Subcutaneous tissues of the incision site were sutured by continuous pattern with absorbable suture material, and the skin incision was closed with tissue glue. The bears recovered uneventfully from general anesthesia after a duration of 58 min (bear A) and 53 min (bear B). Total surgical time was 26 min (bear A) and 24 min (bear B). No postoperative swelling or complications were observed. This is the first report that describes the use of the LigaSure for orchiectomy in the Asiatic black bear. ? 2015 Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics. All rights reserved.