Premium
Two‐Stage Rumen Cannulation Technique in Dairy Cows
Author(s) -
Martineau Roger,
Proulx Julien G.,
Côrtes Cristiano,
Brito Andre F.,
Duffield Todd F.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.12318
Subject(s) - rumen , cannula , medicine , clamp , surgery , dairy cattle , zoology , stage (stratigraphy) , biology , food science , mechanical engineering , clamping , fermentation , engineering , paleontology
Objective To describe a 2‐stage rumen cannulation technique for dairy cows. Study Design Case series. Animals 172 dairy cows from 2 research institutions. Methods The 2‐stage rumen cannulation technique first exteriorized a rumen segment within a wooden clamp, fixing the clamp to the skin with 6 mattress sutures. After 1 week, the necrotic rumen segment was removed, leaving a rumen fistula in which a 7.5 cm cannula was inserted. This was replaced by a 10 cm cannula a further 1 week later. The surgery took an average of 30 minutes. At least 1 assistant is required for the technique. Results The overall complication frequency was 7/172 (4%). One cow and 1 heifer aborted less than 10 days after surgery. Two late‐pregnant heifers died from peritonitis after insertion of the 7.5 cm cannula because of incomplete adhesion of the rumen to the abdominal wall. The exteriorized rumen segment slipped back in the abdomen in 3 cows but was successfully re‐clamped prior to insertion of the 7.5 cm cannula. Conclusion A high success rate was achieved with this 2‐stage cannulation technique. Postoperative complications were attributed to delayed adhesion of the rumen, perhaps because of stress‐related factors (e.g., transport, mixing with other animals, transition period).