Judging from an April 4 letter, we have our work cut out for us. It is very unfortunate that Maureen Madigan not only failed to attend the veterinary school open house, but also neglected to obtain the facts before making ludicrous and unfounded accusations. This procedure enables the farmer, nutritionist or veterinarian readily to gain access to the rumen from the cow's side without stressing the animal. Fistulated cows are valuable members of the dairy herd. Often times rumen contents, rich with microflora essential for digestion, are removed and administered to sick cows to promote gut motility and proper digestion.
Nutritionists use the ruminal fluid to determine the digestibility of various feed materials.
All of these procedures benefit the health of the herd. I assure you it is not inhumane. Fistulated cows eat, sleep, drink and socialize just the same as their herdmates. They act no differently from non-fistulated cows. The general public was invited to witness this for itself at an open house.