Use of nylon cable tie in bovine orchiectomy

Abstract

Orchiectomy is a widely used surgical procedure in cattle farming aimed at castration, with the purpose of facilitating handling, improving meat quality, and reducing aggressive behavior. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using a nylon cable tie (strangling type) as an alternative method to the conventional emasculation technique. Twenty male cattle were randomly assigned to two groups: control (conventional emasculation) and test (nylon cable tie application). The animals were evaluated for surgical time, postoperative recovery, incidence of complications, and procedure cost. The use of the nylon cable tie proved practical, with reduced surgical time and ease of execution. No significant complications were observed, and the animals’ recovery was satisfactory, with complete healing occurring within a timeframe similar to that of the conventional technique. Additionally, the cost of the procedure using the cable tie was lower than that of traditional emasculation, considering materials and labor. The results indicate that the use of a nylon cable tie is a viable, safe, and cost-effective alternative for orchiectomy in cattle, especially in production systems requiring quick and low-cost techniques. However, further studies with a larger number of animals and varying sanitary conditions are recommended to support the broader application of this technique.