Some Metabolic Effects of Three Different Rations Following Laparotomy in Sheep

Abstract

Mohebbi, M., Meimandi, A.H. and Eskandarpour, M. 2002. Some metabolic effects of three different rations following laparotomy in sheep. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 22: 237–242. To evaluate the effect of energy and protein of the diet after major surgery, three groups of sheep (n=4) fed a basal diet of alfalfa hay and wheat straw were subjected to left flank laparotomy with some manipulation of internal organs. After surgery, sheep received either basal ration alone or supplemented with barley and soybean meal for next three weeks. The highest dry matter intake and the lowest weight loss were observed in group III, where the diet had the lowest bulk and the highest energy and crude protein content. Serum glucose increased significantly in all groups for 6 days (p <0.05). Total protein and albumin decreased and BUN increased in all groups (p <0.05), but these changes were prolonged in control group. It is concluded that manipulating the diet following a major surgery may be effective in meeting nutritional requirements of the animal, re-establishing normal metabolic status and reducing utilization of body reserves.