418 
SURGERY AND TRANSPLANTATION 
LOADING 
CHUTE\ 
N 
64'- 
FEED 
ROOM 
/*^ 
HAY STORAGE 
-WUnMINo 
CHUTE 
^ ^ 1 
1 ^ 1\ 
TIE BAR 
HALL 
'-^^ — /^-^ '""-^ 
) r 
PEN 
AREA 
44' 
20 
Figure 1. — Line drawing of floor plan for calf preoperative care building. The floor is rough concrete. Housing is 
the indoor-outdoor type with roof extending to dotted line through pen area. 
of the bladder is routinely employed in our ex- 
periments. Consequently, local ranchers were 
contacted and arrangements were made for the 
direct purchase of "apparently healthy" calves. 
A facility was constructed (Figure 1) in con- 
junction with the Texas Department of Correc- 
tions, Wynne Unit, Huntsville, Texas, for pre- 
conditioning the animals 2 to 4 weeks prior to 
surgery. 
Upon admission to this facility the animals 
are examined, haltered, identified, sprayed for 
ectoparasites, wormed, vaccinated for respira- 
tory viruses and treated for any other obvious 
disease. During the conditioning period fecal 
samples and blood specimens are taken to es- 
tablish baseline data and any sick animals are 
appropriately treated. Particular attention is 
paid to nutrition during this time and the ani- 
mals are individually weaned to a ration of 
pelleted alfalfa and grain.° They are handled 
daily and consequently they are extremely 
docile when brought to the medical facility sev- 
eral days prior to surgery. During the period 
prior to surgery they are individually stalled 
and observed, and become accustomed to the 
laboratory (Figures 2 and 3). 
Anesthesia 
Prior to surgery, food and water is withheld 
for 12-18 hours. Longer periods of fasting in 
this species may add undue stress and lead to 
dehydration and metabolic acidosis.*' Pelleted 
alfalfa in the ration may help to safely shorten 
fasting without fear of regurgitation and aspi- 
ration during anesthesia. 
Anesthesia is induced via face mask with 2% 
halothane vaporized into a partial rebreathing 
circle system by 50 to 70% nitrous oxide in 
oxygen at the level of 5 L/min. Respiration is 
manually assisted during the induction period 
using periodic "sighs". Pre-medication is not 
routinely given. Muscular relaxation is sufficient 
to permit tracheal intubation within 10 minutes. 
