65kg plastic removed from cow’s stomach

Government veterinary doctors in Madurai of India have removed 65kg of foreign particles, mostly plastic from a cow's stomach during a surgery.

The surgery was carried out on November 22 by a team of veterinarians. The animal was fed only through IV fluids for the next 72 hours and slowly recovered over a course of time.

The cow has recovered well, post surgery and was discharged from the government veterinary polyclinic on Friday.

The surgery was carried out as instructed by joint director of animal husbandry, Dr Natarajakumar.

Maheswaran, a dairy farmer from Vadakku Masi street bought a Gir breed cow from the cattle fair one year ago. Even at the time of buying, the cow appeared with a bloated stomach but the traders apparently convinced him that the type of cows are sturdy and it was usual for them to have a big stomach. Recently, it delivered a calf.

Even after delivery, the stomach remained bloated and the animal stopped eating properly. He brought the animal to the polyclinic and the veterinarians conducted various tests.

Chief clinician, Dr K Vairavasamy said that the tests revealed foreign bodies inside the stomach. "But we have not imagined that we would be pulling out so much plastic and foreign materials including iron nails, nuts, bolts and coins from its stomach," he said.