Application of foley's catheter in thoracic and abdominal surgeries in ruminants - An insight

Foley's catheter is widely used for surgeries of urinary system in humans and ruminants. In our study, attempts were made to use Foley's catheter for other different conditions in ruminants under field conditions. 25 Ruminants affected with different surgical conditions were treated with the use of Foley's catheter. Foley's catheter was advocated in 15 cattle affected with pericarditis for pericardiostomy, for draining of peritoneal fluid and also for peritoneal lavage in 3 ruminants which were affected with uterine tear during parturition, one cow with intestinal obstruction after entero-anastomosis, one buffalo where a spoon had piercing from reticulum to ventral abdomen, one cow with right sided abomasal displacement, two cows with generalized peritonitis, one cow with localized peritonitis which developed post surgery and one cow with internal abscess. Foley's catheter was effective for providing good drainage, infusing medications into peritoneum and also for peritoneal lavage in all animals. Foley's catheter was found effective under field conditions where drainage is required after surgery and also for infusing medications.