Long-term surgical preparation of portal vein-drained viscera for determination of their nutritional requirements in preruminant calves.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a surgical preparation to study the nutrient concentration difference across the portal vein-drained viscera of preruminant calves over a 2-week period.

ANIMALS

9 healthy preruminant male Holstein calves.

PROCEDURE

A bilateral subcostal approach was used to reach the portal area to provide access for proper placement of an ultrasonic transit time flow probe around the portal vein. The umbilical vein was used as an entry point for the portal vein catheter. The femoral artery was also catheterized. Calves were observed daily, and food intake was recorded. Body weight was recorded weekly. The calves were euthanatized, and necropsy was performed 2 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 9 calves, 7 recovered without surgical complications. Within 24 hours of surgery, 1 calf developed an intestinal hernia at the flank incision that was surgically repaired without further complications. One calf was euthanatized a week after surgery because it developed septicemia secondary to catheter-related infection.

CONCLUSION

The bilateral subcostal approach provided access to the portal area, and the umbilical vein was useful as an entry point. Application of an ultrasonic flow probe provided consistent measurements of blood flow over a 2-week period.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These results may have implications for development of treatment to promote gastrointestinal tract healing in calves with diarrhea.