UNDESCENDED testes are rare in ruminants (Gilbert and Fubini 2004), although they have been reported in dwarf goats (Ezeasor and Singh 1987). Unlike in cattle and horses, where the left testicle is more commonly retained intra-abdominally, goats show a predilection for retaining the right testicle (Cox and others 1979, Gilbert andFubini 2004).For certain procedures, laparoscopy offers significant advantages over open surgery. Incisions are smaller, resulting in reduced postoperative pain; there is a decreased risk of incision-related complications, intraoperative visualisation is improved, manipulation of viscera is reduced and convalescence is shorter (Walmsley 1999, Klohnen 2002. This short communication reports laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in a pygmy goat.A four-month-old, entire male pygmy goat kid weighing 11·4 kg was presented for castration. The left testicle was present in the scrotum, but the right testicle could not be palpated in the scrotum or inguinal region. The goat was sedated with 0·01 mg/kg intravenous xylazine (Rompun 2%; Bayer) to allow jugular venous catheterisation, and 10 mg/kg procaine penicillin (Norocillin; Norbrook) and 2·2 mg/kg flunixin meglumine (Flunixin; Norbrook) were administered intramuscularly.Anaesthesia was induced with 5 mg/kg ketamine (Narketan 10; Vetoquinol) and 0·1 mg/kg intravenous diazepam (Diazepam Injection; Hameln Pharmaceuticals). The kid was held in sternal recumbency and 20 mg lignocaine hydrochloride (Lignol; Arnolds) was applied topically to the larynx. Using a long-bladed laryngoscope, a 4 mm cuffed endotracheal tube was inserted. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane (Isoba; Schering-Plough) in 100 per cent oxygen via a parallel Lack breathing system. Hartmann's solution (Isolec Combi; Arnolds) was administered intravenously at 10 ml/kg per hour. Peripheral oxygen saturation was monitored using a pulse oximeter (Ox 4404; Heska). Anaesthesia was uneventful apart from periods of tachypnoea associated with maximal abdominal distension after insufflation.The kid was placed in dorsal recumbency at 20 degrees in the Trendelenburg position. A 2 cm longitudinal incision was made through the skin and subcutis along the ventral midline at the umbilicus. A blunt teat cannula was inserted through the umbilicus to achieve pneumo peritoneum, and the abdominal cavity was insufflated to effect with a regulated CO 2 canister. The teat cannula was removed and a 12 mm laparoscopic cannula with guarded-blade trocar (Versaport Plus V2; Covidien Autosuture) was inserted. The trocar was replaced with a 58 cm long, 10 mm wide, 30 degree-angled laparoscope (Stortz).The omental sling covered much of the intestines, but the inguinal rings were visible either side of the midline at the caudal ventral abdomen. The intra-abdominal right testicle was located easily, adjacent to the inguinal ring at the caudal extent of the omental sling. Initially, only the shiny white head of the epididymis was visible. Two instrument portals were placed under visual control 5 cm to the left and ri...