Three incisional patterns of one-stage rumen cannulation techniques and associated haematologic and glycaemic changes in Yankasa-Balami cross-bred rams

Abstract

Despite concerns of leaks, cannula drops, and expensive cannula costs, researches on the nutritional needs of ovine species had led to the use of bovine cannulation techniques to fistulate ovine species. Nine Yankasa-Balami crossbred rams were cannulated with locally improvised polyvinyl chloride plastisol after primary-secondary skin-muscle incisions but only primary rumen incisions; primary-secondary incisions on the skin-muscle of the left flank and the rumen; and a primary incision on the skin-muscle and the rumen, designated as groups A, B, and C, respectively. Glycaemic and haematological responses in the rams were measured at pre-anaesthesia (10 minutes), 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 16 h, 20 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, 120 h, 144 h, and weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. At 10 minutes post-anaesthesia, blood glucose levels in groups A, B, and C were higher than Pre values: 108.33 ± 10.2, 118.33 ± 51.83 and 153.33 ± 46.31, respectively. Moderate dehydration was suggestive of PCV alterations due to fistula fluid loss while neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes were responsible for the increased leucocyte levels. As monocytes contribute to phagocytosis, neutrophils and eosinophils are indicative of surgical stress. Despite the fact that group B's blood glucose levels were much lower than group C's, the results were within the normal species range. Above all, the three incisional patterns are usable for rumen cannulation. Group B's rumen cannulation procedure was more traumatic than groups A and C's, and group A's was ranked second among the most stressful procedures.