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.

Veterinarian perceptions regarding anesthetics and pain management in reptiles are understudied. We conducted an internet-based survey among Brazilian practitioners to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards the use of anesthetics, as well as recognition and treatment of pain in reptiles. The most commonly cited anesthesia-related complications were prolonged recovery periods and respiratory depression. Difficulty in recognizing pain was the main impeding factor for providing analgesics. Tramadol (88.2%) and meloxicam (97%) were the most commonly used analgesics, while ketamine (88.2%), midazolam (88.2%) and isoflurane (94.5%) were the most common anesthetic agents. In conscious patients, the assessment of pain was performed mainly by observation of behavioral changes. Only 32.7% of the respondents considered their knowledge of anesthesia and analgesia in reptiles to be adequate. More women than men considered their knowledge to be insufficient (P <0.0068), while age of the practitioners had no effect. Nevertheless, all respondents believe that reptiles can feel pain and 82% provide analgesia to most of their patients. Understanding the criteria, choice and timing of drug administration, as well as opinions on pain and anesthesia, provides information on the current practices, and might assist in targeting areas where more research and development is needed to ensure reptile welfare.