Capybara

Malocclusion / overgrown teeth

SignsDrool-soaked chin, dropping hay while eating, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, weight loss, visibly long incisors

PreventionOffer unlimited hay at all times so it keeps chewing fiber. Avoid a diet heavy in pellets or fruit; check the mouth and incisors once a month

Dry skin / dermatitis

SignsCracked skin, dandruff, redness, itching, hair loss, scabs, sores on the back or legs

PreventionProvide water to bathe in every day. Allow sunbathing time but give shade from direct sun. Keep flooring dry and clean

Heatstroke

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, drooling, collapse and inability to stand, staggering gait, desperate to get into water

PreventionIn summer always provide shade and a deep pool. Do not leave it in direct sun on days over 30°C. Keep water fresh at all times

GI stasis / bloat

SignsNot eating, fewer or smaller droppings, distended belly, sitting motionless, teeth grinding

PreventionHay-based diet for fiber. Avoid sudden diet changes and spoiled vegetables. If it has not eaten for half a day, see the vet the same day

Vitamin C deficiency

SignsBleeding gums, reluctance to walk, swollen joints, wounds that will not heal, dull coat

PreventionCommon in captivity. Supply daily with fresh vegetables such as leafy greens and bell pepper plus a species-appropriate pellet. Ask the vet if unsure

Pododermatitis (sore hocks)

SignsRedness, swelling, wounds or scabs on the soles, favoring a foot, sitting down more often

PreventionDo not use only concrete or hard flooring; provide soil, grass or thick bedding. Prevent obesity and check the soles weekly

Nail / foot lacerations

PreventionLeave no wire scraps, glass or nails in the enclosure. Remove steps and slippery spots on hard flooring

First aidPress with a clean towel to stop bleeding, then rinse under running water. If bleeding lasts over 10 minutes or bone is visible, see the vet the same day

Bite wounds from fighting

PreventionMature males fight each other. Discuss neutering and herd makeup with the vet; provide escape spots and several feeding stations

First aidKeep away until they calm down, then separate them. Rinse wounds under running water; for deep wounds or swelling, see the vet the same day

Broken incisor

PreventionDo not let it gnaw fences or wire. Remove drops where it could fall face-first onto hard ground; avoid startling it into bolting

First aidCheck the mouth for bleeding and give no hard foods. A broken tooth regrows, but see the vet within a few days to check for root damage

Fracture / dislocation

PreventionIts heavy body makes legs easy to injure on steps and slippery floors. Keep slopes gentle and use ramps at pool entries

First aidDo not move it; keep it calm in a quiet place. No splint; do not force it to stand. Take it to the vet the same day in a large carrier or on a sheet

Leptospirosis

RouteThrough skin or mucous membranes from water or soil contaminated with urine

PreventionChange pool water often; clean with gloves and boots. Do not touch the water with cut hands

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from droppings, pool water or equipment

PreventionAlways wash hands after care. No eating or drinking in the enclosure. Extra caution for young children and the elderly after contact

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with bald patches or fur

PreventionSee the vet early for round bald patches or dandruff. Wash hands after contact; do not share brushes

Tick-borne diseases

RouteBites from hard ticks picked up in outdoor housing

PreventionManage grass and check the body regularly. Do not pull ticks off; see the vet. Wear long sleeves when working

Food

• Staple is grass hay such as timothy. Unlimited and never allowed to run out
• Vegetables such as leafy greens, bell pepper and carrot 1–2 times a day, scaled to body weight
• Large-herbivore pellets as a supplement. Fruit only as a tiny treat

Water

• Drinking water in a large container at all times, separate from the pool
• Change the swimming water daily or frequently; do not let algae or droppings build up

Toys & play

• Logs or burlap sacks stuffed with hay. Gnawing relieves teeth and boredom
• A mud wallow or shallow pool. Water play is its favorite activity
• Sturdy large-dog toys such as balls. Remove at once if broken

Nest, bed & hideout

• A roofed shelter blocking wind, rain and direct sun. Must hold heat in winter
• Large enough for the whole herd. Entrance within sight of the pool

Bedding & litter

• Thick dry straw in the shelter. Replace as soon as it gets wet
• Soil or lawn in the enclosure. Concrete alone damages the feet
• It toilets in a set spot. Clean the waterside latrine daily

Cage / housing material

Sturdy fence at least 1.2 m high plus a roofed shelter. Wire mesh fine enough that it cannot be chewed

Size & space

At least 30–50 sq m for 1–2 animals, including a pool at least 50 cm deep for swimming

Layout

• Space the pool, shade, shelter and feeding area apart and keep paths clear
• Give the pool a ramp and drainage. Add a shallow area where it can stand
• Several hiding places to retreat to. Several feeding stations to prevent fights

Placement notes

• Avoid noisy settings or barking dogs. It charges the fence when startled
• Consider odor and water runoff for neighbors; check where the drainage goes

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let it spend most of the day free in the enclosure. Indoor keeping is not possible
• Walks are generally unnecessary; if you take it out, use a harness and two people
• Daily sunbathing, but it must be able to return to shade at any time

Temperature & humidity

Temperature18–28°C is comfortable. Below 10°C and above 32°C is dangerous

Humidity50–70%. Dry air damages the skin

Summer & winter

• Summer: cool with shade, a deep pool and misting. Keep it out of direct sun in the enclosure by day
• Winter: heater in the shelter and a heated pool. Sensitive to cold; prone to colds and frostbite

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally on soil and hard ground. Have the vet trim them before overgrowth changes the gait

Brushing, skin & coat care

Coarse fur does not mat. Brush out mud and loose hair after bathing and check for cracked skin or wounds

Other care

Teeth wear naturally on hay. Check incisor length and chin wetness daily. Ears collect water; wipe out dirt

Protection from predators

• Attacked by stray and feral dogs. Bury the fence underground so it cannot be dug under
• Crows target young and open wounds. Make sure it can retreat into the shelter
• Mosquitoes, ticks and black flies are common. Cut grass and clean the pool to reduce breeding sites

Foreign-body ingestion

Chews and swallows plastic, rope, nails and other items dropped in the enclosure. Make tidying a habit; if appetite drops or droppings decrease, see the vet the same day

Being stepped on

Adults may trample young. After a birth, give mother and young their own section and a roomy shelter floor

Getting pinched

Feet or nose get caught in shelter doors or fence gaps. Keep gaps under 3 cm and make doors that cannot swing shut on their own

Falls

Falls from the pool edge or steps injure the legs. Make edges into ramps and add non-slip surfaces on steps

Escape

Digs under the fence or escapes via waterways. Double fencing and underground burial. If it escapes, do not chase; lure with favorite food and water, and contact the police and municipal office

Safe release procedure

1. Relax, stop moving and wait for the animal to calm down
2. Hold favorite hay or vegetables near its nose to distract it
3. A second person restrains the body from behind and frees the hand the moment the mouth opens
4. Once free, move away immediately and watch from behind the fence

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for at least 5 minutes and apply pressure. For deep wounds or bleeding that will not stop, the person needs medical care too. Check the animal's mouth as well

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Report weight, time of last meal, droppings and pool conditions; bring photos of droppings and food. Confirm in advance that the hospital can handle large animals

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and touch it to check for a response. Normally it lifts its head
• Check breathing by chest movement. Resting rate is about 10–30 breaths per minute
• Place a hand on the chest behind the elbow to check the heartbeat. Normal is about 60–120 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press the wound firmly with a clean towel and do not release for 5 minutes
• For leg bleeding, wrap a bandage and apply pressure. Do not use a tourniquet
• Bleeding from the mouth or nose may mean internal injury. Do not wipe it away; see the vet

Transport

• Place it in a large-dog carrier or on a sheet and carry level with several people
• Cool with wet towels in summer, warm with blankets in winter; keep the car quiet