Four Different Surgical Approaches to Vasectomies in Male Texas Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus texanus) and Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Abstract

Vasectomies render a male sterile and have been used for various management purposes, including conservation efforts. This report evaluated 4 different surgical approaches (external approach, internal approach with dissection, internal approach with cautery, and internal approach caudally) to perform 177 vasectomies in Texas bobwhite (Colinus virginianus texanus; n = 171) and northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus; n = 6) in a field setting. Birds were not randomized into groups for the different approaches. Survival was recorded in 83% (147/177) of the birds. The most common cause of death was hemorrhage from the common iliac vein due to damage during the surgical procedure. Other causes for death included transection of the ureter, parasitism, euthanasia, and undetermined causes. The approach that had the highest survival rate (89.8%, 132/147) was the internal approach with cautery, and based on these results the authors recommend this approach for vasectomies in Texas and northern bobwhite quail.

Keywords: Colinus virginianus; Colinus virginianus texanus; Texas bobwhite; avian; northern bobwhite quail; surgery; vasectomy.