Technical Notes: A Rumen Cannula for Small Ruminants

Abstract

A ridged rumen cannula made from polyvinyl chloride pipe fittings and plexi-glass at a material's cost of $2.50, is ideally suited for use on small ruminants. Its advantages over other rumen cannula designs include its simple construction, maintenance, ease of sampling, and immediate availability for use following surgical installation. A threaded outer adjustable washer provides a means of lightly tightening the cannula to the body wall thus preventing leakage and dislodgment of the cannula. The cannula can be adapted for various small ruminants by varying the size of the pipe fittings used to construct the cannula.