Percutaneous ruminostomy guided by rumenoscopy: study in an experimental model in bovine fetus.

BACKGROUND: Endosurgery is a surgical subspecialty that has been widely used in production animals, because it enables good visualization of abdominal organs and the diagnosis and treatment of several conditions in a minimally invasive manner, while preserving the animal's well-being and causing a lower impact on animal production. Rumenostomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in ruminants. This procedure is used to allow access to the rumen for various purposes, especially nutritional and therapeutic studies, and it can be performed either in a conventional way or in a minimally invasive video-assisted manner. Another possibility of access to ruminants is through the rumenoscopy technique. The objective of this study is to describe a minimally invasive technique for rumenostomy using an endoscope, working on a bovine fetal corpse as an experimental model. RESULTS: The execution of the endoscopy-guided rumenostomy technique was simple and did not present major difficulties. The endoscope, its lighting and air pump, and the decubitus used provided a good anatomical visualization of the rumen, and it was possible to evaluate several regions of the organ. The mean duration of the procedure was 11.15 min. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic rumenostomy technique using anatomical pieces of calves was shown to be feasible. It was performed in a simple and efficient way, particularly regarding the premise of preserving the animal's well-being, due to its minimally invasive nature.

Integrative approach to a patient following rumenotomy - case report / [Abordagem integrativa ao paciente submetido à ruminotomia - relato de caso]

Concern with antimicrobial resistance in animal production systems increases the interest toward integrative therapies. The objective of the present report was to report an integrative approach to a goat undergoing rumenotomy. A goat with ruminal acidosis underwent rumenotomy, corrective rumen suture, moxibustion, and treatment of the surgical wound (TFO) with sugar. In the first twenty days, acupuncture was performed on ST36, indirect moxibustion on Sp6 and CV8, and TFO with antibiotic ointment and sugar. The wound contracted 2cm, there was gradual return of ruminal dynamics, and moderate pain. Acupuncture continued from D21 to D50 on Yin tang, BL13, BL20, BL23, and BL22. Although there was drainage of ruminal fluid, the wound contracted 4cm during this period, pain was absent, and ruminal dynamics normal. During the last thirty days, the acupuncture technique surround the dragon was used and BL13 point needled, with complete closure of the wound. The TFO from D21 was performed solely with sugar. During treatment, there was modulation of the inflammatory response, with formation of granulation tissue and neovascularization. On D84, fibrinogen was 100mg/dL. The authors conclude that the use of sugar, acupuncture, and moxibustion contributed to return of normal ruminal motility, wound contraction, and complete tissue reepithelization.(AU)

A preocupação com a resistência antimicrobiana nos sistemas de produção animal aumenta o interesse pelas terapias integrativas. Objetiva-se relatar a abordagem integrativa ao paciente caprino submetido à ruminotomia. Uma cabra com acidose ruminal foi submetida à ruminotomia, ruminorrafia, moxabustão, acupuntura e tratamento da ferida operatória (TFO) com açúcar. Nos primeiros vinte dias realizou-se acupuntura em ST36, moxa indireta em Sp6 e CV8, TFO com pomada antibiótica e açúcar. A ferida contraiu 2cm, houve retorno gradual da dinâmica ruminal e dor moderada. A acupuntura continuou de D21 a D50 em Yin tang, BL13, BL20, BL23 e BL22. Apesar da ferida drenar fluido ruminal teve contração de 4cm nesse período, ausência de dor e retorno fisiológico da dinâmica ruminal. Nos últimos trinta dias foi realizada a técnica de acupuntura cercar o dragão e punturou-se o ponto BL13, com fechamento completo da ferida. O TFO a partir do D21 foi realizado somente com açúcar. Durante tratamento houve modulação da resposta inflamatória com formação de tecido de granulação e neoangiogênesse, o D84 revelou fibrinogênio 100mg/dL. Conclui-se que a utilização do açúcar, acupuntura e moxabustão contribuíram para o retorno fisiológico da motilidade ruminal, contração da ferida e completa reepitelização tecidual.(AU)

Influence of two rumen cannulation techniques on postoperative recovery in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of two methods of rumen cannulation on postoperative animal welfare. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Twelve commercial wethers (n = 6 per group). METHODS: Group 1 wethers underwent a one-step procedure to place a cannula immediately after fistulation of the rumen to the skin. Group 2 wethers underwent a two-step procedure in which a portion of the rumen was externalized and held with a clamp for 9 days, after which the cannula was placed into the fistula created by removal of the clamped rumen tissue. Feed intake and vital signs were monitored daily for 24 days postoperatively. Plasma fibrinogen and serum cortisol were measured daily for 14 days postoperatively to estimate inflammatory and stress responses, respectively. Change in body weight was also assessed. RESULTS: Cannulation method did not affect (P > .05) body weight, temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, fibrinogen level, or cumulative cortisol level. Feed intake was lower (0.82 vs 1.2 kg/d; P < .0001), and mean cortisol level was greater (124.2 vs 121.5 ng/mL; P = .038) in group 2 compared with group 1. CONCLUSION: Although both cannulation methods mostly elicited similar physiological responses, animals seemed to experience more discomfort and stress when undergoing the two-step procedure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Rumen cannulation performed in one step is recommended to improve postoperative welfare.

Indications for and factors relating to outcome after rumenotomy or rumenostomy in cattle: 95 cases (1999-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate indications for and factors relating to outcome after rumenotomy or rumenostomy in cattle. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 95 cattle that underwent rumenotomy or rumenostomy. PROCEDURES: Medical records for 95 cattle that underwent either rumenostomy or rumenotomy at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals in 1999 through 2011 were analyzed. Reasons for the procedures were noted. Long-term outcome was determined during telephone interviews with owners. RESULTS: 42 (44%) bovids underwent rumenostomy and 53 (56%) bovids underwent rumenotomy. Among the 42 animals undergoing rumenostomy, 18 (43%) had rumen cannulas placed during elective procedures. Other indications for rumenostomy included ruminal tympany (bloat [n = 20]), esophageal obstruction (choke [1]), grain overload (1), and provision of access for administration of enteral nutrition (2). Indications for rumenotomy included traumatic reticuloperitonitis (n = 31), bloat (9), foreign body (6), choke (5), and other (2). Long-term follow-up data were available for 31 of 42 (74%) bovids that underwent rumenostomy. Of those 31 animals, 17 (55%) were still in the herd, 4 (13%) had been culled, and 10 (32%) had died or were euthanized. Long-term follow-up data were available for 38 of 53 (72%) bovids that underwent rumenotomy. Of those 38 animals, 13 (34%) were still in the herd, 14 (37%) had been culled, and 11 (29%) had died or been euthanized. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that rumenotomy and rumenostomy can be effective in treating or relieving complications secondary to forestomach disorders in cattle. Bovids undergoing rumen surgery had a favorable prognosis for survival and a fair prognosis for potential return to production.

Surgical and postoperative events during permanent fistulation of sheep rumen by the Schalk and Amadon method.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and report on the course of events during and after surgical fistulation of sheep rumen by the Schalk and Amadon method and on improvements to address current trends in animal health, care and welfare. METHODS: A permanent re-entry fistula was created in 13 sheep using a method in which a fold of rumen is exteriorised and held by a metal clamp. Following surgery, sheep were monitored daily for any abnormalities for 4 weeks, then weekly for 6 months. RESULTS: Permanent fistulation was achieved in all 13 sheep; 2 sheep had minor complications: one during the surgery (rumen perforation) and one on the day after surgery (slipping of the metal clamp), but both recovered within 48 h with treatment. Over the 4 weeks post-surgery, 7 sheep had mildly elevated rectal temperatures, which resolved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic antibiotics and/or topical antiseptic cream. There was an 8-day variation among sheep in the time from surgery to creation of the fistula. CONCLUSION: Rumen fistulation of sheep by the Schalk and Amadon method, as described here, is a comparatively simple, safe and ethical procedure, with minimal effect on or complications for the animal.

Two-Stage Rumen Cannulation Technique in Dairy Cows.

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).

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies in 5 Holstein calves.

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies was successfully performed in 5 Holstein-Friesian calves under sedation or general anesthesia by using an electrocautery snare or a wire-guided Dormi basket. This report describes the endoscopic manipulations, treatment, and outcomes of esophageal foreign body removal in these calves.

Trans-oral endoscopie pour retirer un corps étranger oesophagien ou ruminal chez 5 veaux Holstein. L'extraction d'un corps étranger oesophagien ou ruminale a été effectuée par endoscopie à l'aide d'un lassot ou d'un panier endoscopique (Dormi) avec succès chez cinq veaux de race Holstein, sous sédation ou anesthésie générale. Ce rapport de cas décrit les manipulations endoscopiques, les traitements et le pronostic suite à l'extraction endoscopique du corps étranger chez ces veaux.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Rumen transfaunation.

The aim of this invited mini-review is to summarize the rumen transfaunation literature. Rumen transfaunation using the cud from a healthy donor animal to treat a sick recipient animal was practiced long before our understanding of rumen microorganisms. Around the mid-1900 s, scientists began to explore the benefits of rumen transfaunation and the associated microbial populations. Rumen transfaunation has been used clinically to treat indigestion and to enhance the return of normal rumen function following surgical correction of a left-displaced abomasum. Rumen transfaunation was also used to introduce unique rumen microorganisms into animals that were exposed to toxic compounds in plants. Rumen liquor contains chemical constituents that likely contribute to the beneficial effects of re-establishing a normal reticulo-rumen anaerobic fermentation. Recommendations for collecting rumen fluid, storage and volumes transferred are discussed. Rumen transfaunation is a common practice to treat indigestion on dairy and livestock operations. The support of a healthy microbial community in the digestive tract is also used for humans. Fecal microbiota transplantation has been used to treat digestive disorders in humans. Rumen transfaunation, although not widely studied with respect to mode of action, is an effective, practical, and easy method to treat simple indigestion of ruminants.

An investigation of the effects of ketoprofen following rumen fistulation surgery in lactating dairy cows.

Post-operative pain management following rumen surgery is not common practice. We examined the effect of providing the pain medication ketoprofen to dairy cattle following the first stage of a rumen cannulation surgery, which involves an incision in the body wall and exteriorizing and clamping the rumen. The results of this study provide clear evidence that the first stage of the surgery was painful and ketoprofen at the time of and 24 h following surgery, alleviated some, but not all, of the post-surgical pain. Pain mitigation should be included when performing flank surgery in cattle.

Une enquête sur les effets du kétoprofène administré à des vaches laitières après une chirurgie de fistulisation du rumen. Ce n'est pas pratique courante d'administrer des analgésiques suite à la chirurgie du rumen. Cette étude a examiné les effets du médicament kétoprofène chez les vaches laitières après la première étape d'une chirurgie de fistulisation du rumen. Cette chirurgie consiste à faire une incision sur le côté gauche de l'abdomen pour ensuite sortir une partie du rumen de l'abdomen et de le fixer avec une attache. Les résultats de cette étude démontrent que la première étape était douloureuse et que l'administration du kétoprofène, à la fin de la chirurgie, ainsi qu'après 24 h, a atténué une partie de la douleur chirurgicale sans toutefois l'enlever complètement. L'administration d'analgésiques devrait faire partie intégrante du traitement lors des chirurgies abdominales chez les bovins.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Short communication: a comparison of 2 nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs following the first stage of a 2-stage fistulation surgery in dry dairy cows.

Postoperative pain and its management following fistulation surgery in cattle are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) as potential postoperative pain management treatments following the first stage of a 2-stage fistulation surgery. A randomized complete block design trial was conducted in dry Holstein cows (n=10) following fistulation surgery. Ketoprofen (3mg/kg of body weight i.m.) was administered on the day of surgery and 24 h later, whereas meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg of body weight s.c.) was administered once only on the day of surgery. Outcomes evaluated at 0, 2, 9, 24, 26, and 33 h postsurgery were heart rate, respiration rate, rectal temperature, and infrared temperature around the surgical site. Outcomes evaluated on the day of surgery and d 1 following surgery and compared with the average for the 4d before surgery were lying activity (total lying time, total time spent lying on the left side, and percentage of time lying on the left side) and feed intake. A difference was observed in dry matter intake on d 1 but this effect was not different on d 0 compared with presurgical averages. A difference was observed in time spent lying on the left side and a difference was observed in heart rate following the first stage of fistulation surgery compared with presurgical averages. The infrared temperature readings around the surgical site were significantly greater in the hours following surgery compared with presurgical averages. The respiration rate increased over time after 24h postsurgery compared with presurgical values. Although it was clear that the surgery is painful, the drug effects were more difficult to explain. On d 0 and 1, the meloxicam-treated cows ate 3 kg more but spent 101 min/d less time lying on their left side compared with ketoprofen-treated cows. The first stage of a 2-stage fistulation surgery was considered painful based on changes in heart rate, respiration rate, infrared temperature readings, dry matter intake, and time spent lying on the left side. It is clear that left flank surgery is painful and that NSAID can improve outcomes associated with that pain, but we cannot make recommendations as to which NSAID to choose based on these results.

Perioperative ruminal pH changes in domestic sheep (Ovis aries) housed in a biomedical research setting.

Little information is available on normal ruminal pH values for domestic sheep (Ovis aries) housed in a research setting and fed a complete pelleted ration. Sheep maintained on pelleted diets undergoing surgical procedures often present with postoperative anorexia and rumen atony. To determine the relationship between diet and postoperative rumen acidosis and associated atony, we studied dietary effects on ruminal pH in an ovine surgical model. Sheep undergoing orthopedic surgical procedures were randomized into 2 diet groups. Group 1 (n = 6) was fed complete pelleted diet during the pre- and postoperative period, and group 2 (n = 6) was fed timothy grass hay exclusively throughout the study. Measures included ruminal pH, ruminal motility, and rate of feed refusal, which was monitored throughout the pre- and postoperative periods. The 2 groups did not differ significantly before surgery, and the ruminal parameters remained largely within normal limits. However, a downward trend in the strength and frequency of rumen contractions was observed in pellet-fed sheep. After surgery, the pellet-fed group showed clinical signs consistent with ruminal acidosis, supported by decreased ruminal motility, anorexia, putrid-smelling ruminal material, and death of ruminal protozoa. Intervention by transfaunation in clinically affected sheep resulted in resolution of signs. Our findings suggest that sheep fed grass hay appear to have a more stable ruminal pH, are less likely to experience anorexia and rumen atony, and thereby exhibit fewer postoperative gastrointestinal complications than do sheep on a pellet diet.

Technical note: ruminal cannulation technique in young Holstein calves: effects of cannulation on feed intake, body weight gain, and ruminal development at six weeks of age.

Ruminal cannulation techniques are frequently used to study fermentation in the ruminant forestomach. Unsatisfactory results with the traditionally applied procedure for cannulation of young calves stimulated the development of a simpler and more robust procedure; this procedure was tested for effects on performance traits and gross anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract compared with a control group not undergoing surgery. Five calves were ruminally cannulated at approximately 10 d of age and 5 matching calves were used as controls. All calves were fed milk replacer and a diet based on clover grass silage and sodium hydroxide-treated wheat. Ruminal fluid was collected from cannulated calves once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks. All calves were euthanized at 43+/-3 d of age. No apparent adverse effects of cannulation were observed. Feed intake, BW gain, and gross anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract were not affected by cannulation. Minimum ruminal pH increased with sampling week, but average ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acids concentration, and volatile fatty acids proportions were not affected by sampling week. In conclusion, the implemented surgical technique was found to have no major effect on apparent animal health and performance traits, and the cannula proved useful for multiple samplings of ruminal contents in young calves.

Rumen cannulation: procedure and use of a cannulated bovine.

Rumen cannulation can be done on a healthy animal currently in the herd with minimal expense. The surgery is no more difficult than most other routine surgical procedures performed by bovine practitioners. A cannulated animal provides a long-term, readily available source of rumen content that can be used to transfaunate herd mates that have suffered various digestive upsets.

Rumenotomy.

If performed correctly, the rumenotomy procedure can be a safe and effective way to retrieve ingested foreign bodies and address other problems of the ruminant forestomachs. In the author's practice, rumen surgery has been associated with few postoperative complications. Morbidity and mortality in cases that have had a previous rumenotomy have mostly been associated with complications related to the original presurgical condition or from causes unrelated to the rumen surgery.

Diagnostic and prognostic indicators of omasal impaction in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Twelve of 46 female buffaloes with abdominal disorders were diagnosed with omasal impaction. They had been fed finely chopped machine-prepared straw. They were characterised by anorexia, an absence of defecation, abdominal distension, ruminal hypomotility or atony and a suspension of rumination. Omasal impaction was confirmed upon left flank laparorumenotomy on the basis of the size of the omasum and the consistency of its contents. After ruminal evacuation, a long flexible pipe was introduced through the reticulo-omasal orifice and the omasal contents were flushed back into the rumen with water under moderate pressure. Hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia were consistent features in most cases. However, two buffaloes that later died had lower levels of plasma chloride, no reticulo-omasal orifice tone and were in an advanced stage of pregnancy. The level of total protein in peritoneal fluid was higher than normal, but the total white cell count was within the normal range. All the animals started passing faeces 36 to 48 hours after surgery. The presence of reticulo-omasal orifice tone and a plasma chloride level above 75 mmol/l were indicators of a good prognosis.

Comparison of two ruminoscopy techniques in calves.

Two different techniques were tested in nine calves to describe endoscopically the visible structures of the rumen and the reticulum. Ruminoscopy using an orally introduced flexible endoscope proved to be unsatisfactory, but when the endoscope was introduced through a ruminal fistula in the left flank into the dorsal and ventral ruminal sacs, the blind sacs, ruminal pillars, the atrium of the rumen, the reticulum and the reticular groove could all be displayed effectively. Indentations of the ruminal wall caused by the left kidney, the spleen and the abomasum could be seen with the endoscope as could reticulo-ruminal contractions. The technique allowed visual evaluation of the mucosal surfaces and movement of the rumen, reticulum and reticular groove. The advantages and disadvantages of ruminoscopy in bovine medicine are discussed.

Post surgical development of inflammatory adhesions and reticular function in cows suffering from traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

Inflammatory adhesions between reticulum and ventral abdomen in patients suffering traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) may induce a massive inhibition of reticular contractions and thereby an impairment of the separation process of particles in the reticulorumen. However, a substantial disturbance of digesta passage (Hoflund-syndrome) is found only in a few TRP-cows. We hypothesized that this is due to a retrieval of reticular motility due to rebuilding and degradation of adhesions within months after the removal of the foreign body as the primary inflammatory stimulus. Accordingly, it was the objective of this study (a) to assess the extent and structure of inflammatory adhesions in cows with TRP over a period of six months following surgery and (b) to persecute reticular function by characterizing the sequence of reticular contractions sonographically and by assessment of particle size distribution in the faeces of patients by means of wet-sieving. Twenty-six cows suffering from TRP were studied on the day of rumenotomy (day 1) and on day 6, day 12 and 6 months post operationem. Additionally, six healthy control cows were investigated once. All cows were on a hay and concentrate diet. On day 1, the reticular floor and the reticular wall were affected by adhesions in varying extent in all cows; the contraction distance and contraction velocity of the reticulum were markedly reduced and the portion of large particles in the faces increased compared to healthy cows. On day 12, the portion of large particles did not vary any more from that of control cows; a tendency towards an increased contraction distance compared to day 1 was found. Sonographically, only marginal differences were detected in respect to extent and consistency of adhesions. Six months after rumenotomy, in 9 of 16 re-investigated cows sonography revealed no adhesions at the reticulum at all, in other cases the extent of adhesions shrunk considerably. Contraction distance and contraction velocity and particle size distribution in the faeces were found to be nearly comparable to that of control cows. It is concluded that inflammatory adhesions disappear in the majority of the TRP-patients, as a consequence reticular function normalizes. A serious disturbance of digesta passage seems to develop exclusively in those patients with the most extensive adhesions and may be also in such cows, where the primary adhesions cause the development of extensive abscesses.

[Cysteamine attenuates suppression of peripheral IL-2 and lymphocytic proliferation induced by ruminal and duodenal operations in goats].

Sixteen castrated male goats were randomly allocated into two groups (Control n=8; Experiment n=8) to investigate the effects of cysteamine on surgery-induced cellular immune suppression. The experiment commenced with 13 d of pre-operation (pre-Op), which contained 3 d of roughage-fed period (RP) and 10 d of roughage + concentrate-fed period (RCP), followed by first operation (Op-1) and then the second operation (Op-2). The goats were allowed to have 14 d of recovery between two operations. The fistulas were fixed to rumen walls in Op-1 and to duodenal walls in Op-2. Cysteamine (15 mg x kg(-1) x BW x d(-1)) was added to diet and fed to goats in Exp. group since RCP of pre-Op through whole experimental period. Blood was sampled through jugular vein from goats of both groups at pre-feeding of the last day of RP and RCP, 8 d after Op-1, 4 d and 13 d after Op-2, respectively to determine serum concentration of interlukin-2 (IL-2), cortisol, as well as PHA-stimulated lymphocytic proliferation rate (SI). In pre-operative periods there were no significant differences in concentration of IL-2 (0.82+/-0.1 vs 1.03+/-0.22 microg l(-1)) and cortisol (20.48+/-4.52 vs 20.80+/-9.93 microg l(-1)), as well as lymphocytic SI (90.72+/-7.25 vs 129.22+/-18.59) between Control and Exp. groups. The concentrations of IL-2 (0.82+/-0.1 vs 0.73+/-0.08 vs 0.55+/-0.12 microg l(-1)) and lymphocytic SI (90.72+/-7.25 vs 49.31+/-6.4 vs 7.09+/-1.66) in Control were depressed acutely (P<0.05), but cortisol concentration elevated (20.48+/-4.52 vs 26.67+/-10.51 vs 32.33+/-3.29 microg l(-1)) in post-operative periods (8 d after Op-1 and 4 d after Op-2), compared with those in RCP. While they remained unaltered in Exp. group except a slight decrease of lymphocytic SI at 4 d after Op-2. The different responses of Control and Exp. groups to surgery stress led to a 80-90% higher of IL-2 and about 3 times greater of SI in Exp. than those in Control, which was contributed by cysteamine administration. Our data show that in operated goats the cellular immune was suppressed by surgery stress, cysteamine administration prevented decreases of IL-2 and lymphocytic SI and increase of cortisol induced by surgery stress, consequently attenuates surgery-induced suppression of cellular immune activity.

Considerations for gastrointestinal cannulation (rumen, duodenum and ileum) in sheep with a ruminal, a simple t-type and a modified t-type cannula.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of simultaneous application of three cannulations and to test the effectiveness of a modified T-type cannula compared to simple T-type cannula. A ruminal, a simple T-type and a modified T-type duodenal and an ilial cannula were used in sheep. No complication was encountered in ruminal cannulation. Although no grafts were used, leakage of digesta was not seen for at least five months in T-type cannula and seven months in modified T-type cannula after surgery. Fibrous tissue grew between the serosa of the intestine and the peritoneum. No erosion of the tissue between intestine and body wall was observed after slaughter. Especially ilial digesta was easily obtained from modified T-type cannula.

[Rumen fermentation and digestibility of nutrients studied by the addition of Ca soaps of palm oil fatty acids and their analogous fatty acids in the sheep model]. / Ruminale Fermentation und Verdaulichkeit der Nährstoffe bei Einsatz von Ca-Seifen von Palmölfettsäuren und ihrer Fettsäurenanaloge beim Modelltier Schaf.

The ruminally fistulated sheep was used as a model to study the effects of fat supplementation (Ca-soaps and free long chain fatty acids from palm oil) on rumen physiology and digestibility of the nutrients. The animals were fed with a typical ration of hay and concentrate supplying nutrients according to maintenance levels. The following results should be pointed out: The addition of free fatty acids and their Ca-soaps induced a retarded recovery of postprandially decreased pH-values in ruminal fluid. This retardation was more pronounced after addition of free long chain fatty acids than with their Ca-soap-analogous acids. Compared to the control, the concentration of short chain fatty acids was depressed by fat addition in the period 2 hours after feed intake. The release of ammonia in the first period after feed intake was reduced by fat addition. A lack of synchronity could be observed in this post-prandial period in ruminal fluid between concentration of short chain fatty acids and ammonia. This effect was most obvious with supplementation of unprotected fatty acids. This might be one reason for the better tolerance of Ca soaps from palm oil fatty acids. Formation of hydrides, branched chains and transforms proceeds more effectively with free fatty acids than with their analogous forms of Ca-soaps. The well-known effect of depression of digestibility of nutrients due to fat supplementation was--under present conditions--quite low. This might be different in lactating dairy cows with higher levels of feed intake. With high feed intake, passage time is reduced. This will affect digestibility and interactions with fat supplementation.