title: Two-Stage Rumen Cannulation Technique in Dairy Cows.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a 2-stage rumen cannulation technique for dairy cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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).
authors: Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, Qu, é, bec, Canada.
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Martineau
authors: Ste-Catherine-de-Hatley, Québec, Canada.
authors: Julien G
authors: JG
authors: Proulx
authors: Département de Productions Animales, Unité de Recherche Syst, è, mes d', É, levage, École Supérieure d'Agriculture d'Angers, Angers, France.
authors: Cristiano
authors: C
authors: Côrtes
authors: University of New Hampshire, Department of Biological Sciences, Durham, New Hampshire, USA.
authors: Andre F
authors: AF
authors: Brito
authors: Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Todd F
authors: TF
authors: Duffield
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome