Studies on the alimentary tract of sheep in South Africa. III. The influence of bowel anastomosis on the general nutritional state of Merino sheep

Abstract

1. Exclusion of the lower half of the small intestines alone (see graphs 1 and 2), or in addition exclusion of the caecum and upper colon through bowel anastomosis causes progressive atrophy, extreme cachexia and even death in Merino sheep (see graphs 3 and 4). 2. No retrograde filling takes place of any of the portions of intestine excluded, hence the absorptive surface is decreased by the length so excluded from anastomosis. 3. There is considerable disturbance in the water metabolism of such animals, the degree of adaptation and compensation depending in some measure on the individual characteristics of the animal itself.