ABSTRACT
This report describes the first documented case of a two‐port laparoscopic ovariectomy (lapOVE) in a raccoon ( Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)). A rescued, eight‐month‐old, 5.0 kg female raccoon, kept as a pet, was presented to the Veterinarium, clinic of Agricultural University of Georgia (Tbilisi, Georgia), for elective ovariectomy. Anesthesia was induced using ketamine and dexmedetomidine premedication followed by isoflurane, propofol, and ketamine maintenance. A two‐port laparoscopic approach was performed using two 5 mm trocars placed at the umbilical and caudal abdominal regions, respectively. Ovarian pedicles were coagulated using bipolar electrocautery and resected with laparoscopic scissors. The procedure was uneventful, with no intra‐ or postoperative complications. The patient recovered smoothly and resumed normal feeding within 12 h. This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive, two‐port laparoscopic ovariectomy in raccoons, potentially offering an improved surgical option for neutering and population management in this exotic species.
Keywords: exotic animal, laparoscopic surgery, spay, wildlife management
Key Clinical Message
This case report describes the first successful two‐port laparoscopic ovariectomy in a raccoon, demonstrating that the technique is feasible, safe, and minimally invasive, with rapid recovery and minimal perioperative stress, supporting its potential use for reproductive management in exotic and invasive carnivore species.
1. Introduction
The raccoon ( Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) is native to North and Central America but has been introduced to numerous regions worldwide, where it is commonly maintained in zoological collections and increasingly as a companion animal. In Georgia, raccoons were introduced during the Soviet period and have since established local feral populations [1]. Highly adaptable, raccoons reproduce and disperse efficiently, particularly in riparian habitats such as those in the Lombardy region, where released individuals have become naturalized [2].
Their introduction has had ecological, economic, and health implications. Native fauna sufer from predation, particularly nesting birds and amphibians, while agricultural and urban infrastructure are frequently damaged. Raccoons are also recognized reservoirs of zoonotic agents such as Baylisascaris procyonis, rabies virus, canine distemper virus, Trypanosoma cruzi, and agents of mange and histoplasmosis. Despite these risks, no structured management strategy for feral raccoon populations exists in Georgia [2].
Ovariectomy (OVE) is a routine sterilization procedure in domestic dogs and cats, particularly in Europe [3]. Laparoscopic OVE (lapOVE) has been well documented in canines [4, 5] and offers distinct advantages over open surgery, including reduced tissue trauma, postoperative pain, and recovery time, along with enhanced visualization [6].
However, laparoscopic sterilization techniques have not been described in raccoons. The present report details the first successful two‐port laparoscopic ovariectomy in a raccoon, highlighting the anesthetic protocol, surgical approach, and postoperative outcome.
2. Case History
A rescued eight‐month‐old, 5.04 kg female raccoon was presented for elective laparoscopic ovariectomy. Food was withheld for 12 h prior to surgery. The animal was weighed using a digital platform scale, and its age was estimated from dentition and owner history. The surgery was performed in Veterinarium by the author.
2.1. Anesthesia
Premedication consisted of 7.7 mg/kg ketamine (Ketamine‐ZN, 50 mg/mL, Zdorovie Narodu, Kharkov, Ukraine) and dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor, 0.5 mg/mL, Orion Pharm, Espoo, Finland) at a dose of 7 μg/kg, combined in a single syringe and administered intramuscularly into the m. biceps femoris while restrained in a squeeze cage.
Fifteen minutes post‐administration, anesthesia was induced with 0.6% isoflurane (Isoflurane IP, Digwal Village, India) via face mask, followed by placement of a 24G intravenous catheter (I.V. CANNULA, K&K STAN LLP, London, United Kindgom). General anesthesia was maintained using propofol (DIPROPOFOL EDTA, 10 mg/mL, Farmak, Kyiv, Ukraine) and ketamine (Ketamine‐ZN, 50 mg/mL, Zdorovie Narodu, Kharkov, Ukraine) in combination with isoflurane (Isoflurane IP, Digwal Village, India) inhalation.
Continuous monitoring included electrocardiography (ECG), capnography (CO2 concentration), pulse oximetry, and esophageal temperature measurement. Vital parameters were recorded every 5 min throughout the procedure, which lasted ~20 min.
2.2. Preparation
The animal was endotracheally intubated and placed in dorsal recumbency with the table in a reverse Trendelenburg position. The ventral abdomen, from xiphoid to pubis, was clipped and aseptically prepared using a surgical wash and care lotion (WASA 2000, Lysoform, Berlin, Germany) and finally povidone–iodine (Betadine, EGIS, Budapest, Hungary).
2.3. Surgery
A 3–4 mm incision was made 1–2 cm cranial to the umbilicus, extending through the subcutaneous tissue and linea alba to permit insertion of a 5 mm pyramidal trocar (Mindray, China) under direct vision. The abdominal wall was elevated to prevent visceral trauma. Pneumoperitoneum was established using CO2 insufflation (Mindray, China) to a pressure of 6 mmHg.
A 5 mm, 30° rigid laparoscope (Mindray, China) was inserted, and a complete 360° inspection was performed to rule out abnormalities. A second 3–4 mm stab incision was made midway between the umbilicus and pubis for placement of the caudal port under direct visualization.
For ovariectomy, the animal was positioned in Trendelenburg position and tilted 30° laterally to expose each ovary sequentially. The proper ligament of the ovary was identified, grasped, and elevated using 5 mm atraumatic grasping forceps with a ratchet (Mindray, China) (Figure 1). The uterine horn was anchored to the abdominal wall using a 2/0 polyglycolic acid with a 30 mm 3/8 taperpoint needle (USA) (Figure 2). The ovarian pedicle, proper ligament, and uterine horn were coagulated with bipolar electrocautery using bipolar straight dissecting forceps (Mindray, China) (Figure 3) and transected using laparoscopic straight scissors without a ratchet (Mindray, China).
FIGURE 1.
View of ovary in 30° tilted Trendelenburg position before grasping with atraumatic forceps.
FIGURE 2.
View of anchored uterine horn.
FIGURE 3.
View of bipolar electrocautery of uterine horn.
The resected ovary was retrieved through the cannula. The same procedure was performed on the contralateral side. Upon completion, the abdominal cavity was inspected for hemostasis and potential complications.
Port sites were closed in two layers: the linea alba was sutured with a single “X” suture using 2/0 polyglycolic acid with a 30 mm 3/8 taperpoint needle (USA), and the skin was closed using a percutaneous purse‐string suture with the same material.
The duration of the surgery, from skin incision to the final suture, was 14 min.
Postoperatively, the animal received an intramuscular injection of meloxicam (MOBICAM, 15 mg/mL, AVERSI‐RATIONAL Ltd., Tbilisi, Georgia) at 0.2 mg/kg for analgesia.
3. Postoperative Follow Up
As the animal was subsequently kept as a pet, postoperative monitoring was possible. Primary wound healing was achieved within 12 days. No postoperative complications were observed during the 6‐month follow‐up period after surgery.
4. Conclusion and Results
This case demonstrates that a two‐port laparoscopic ovariectomy can be safely and effectively performed in raccoons. The technique allowed excellent visualization of the reproductive structures and minimal intraoperative bleeding. The reduced number of ports minimized surgical trauma and procedure time, aligning with the advantages observed in canine laparoscopy [4].
Minimally invasive sterilization is particularly beneficial for wildlife and exotic species where postoperative handling poses additional risks. In this case, the raccoon exhibited rapid recovery and resumed normal behavior within hours of surgery, suggesting low perioperative stress.
This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first recorded case of laparoscopic ovariectomy in a raccoon in any major academic database, including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, Elsevier, and Wiley. The adaptation of laparoscopic techniques used in domestic animals to exotic carnivores may provide valuable tools for reproductive management of invasive or captive populations. Future studies involving larger sample sizes are warranted to standardize anesthetic and surgical protocols for this species.
5. Discussion
Two‐port laparoscopic ovariectomy is a feasible, minimally invasive, and safe technique for female raccoons. This procedure expands the application of laparoscopic sterilization to exotic carnivores and may serve as a valuable approach for population management and welfare optimisation in raccoon species.
Author Contributions
Lasha‐Giorgi Japaridze: conceptualization, writing – original draft, writing – review and editing.
Funding
This work was supported by Veterinarium and The Knowledge Fund.
Consent
The written informed consent was obtained from the patients owner to publish this report in accordance with the journal's patient consent policy.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The author express their sincere gratitude to the Veterinarium staff for their invaluable assistance during the surgical procedure. The author also thank the Knowledge Fund and Veterinarium clinic for supporting this case report. Finally, the author is grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and valuable suggestions. In memory of Inga Kavelashvili† (Lagodekhi, Georgia).
Data Availability Statement
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.
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Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Data Availability Statement
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.