What do you think this is?? -Pics

[springvalley]

We got this tool from the neighbor and I thought I'd post it for y'all to guess what it is. This is made of stainless steel and has two parts, a 9 inch shaft (5/16" diameter) with a wooden handle and diamond shaped point with 3 sides to it; and a sleeve that fits over the shaft. I think I know what it is and what it is used for, and will post my answer after the pictures...

This shot shows the 'sleeve' on the shaft/blade:



This picture shows the 'sleeve' that slides down the shaft/blade.



I think it's used on animals that are bloated. You put the sleeve on the shaft/blade and jab it into the side of the animal. The 3-sided, sharp point will help puncture the hide of the animal into the gas/liquid filled area. Then you slide off the sleeve and leave it in the animal and remove the shaft/blade. This then leaves a 'tube' in the animal for the gas/liquid to escape. You can also attach a tube onto the end of the sleeve to put something into the wound hole . Maybe you can also use this if you want to insert liquids into an animal such as direct feeding. Just my guess, whats yours. > Thanks Marc

Any other ideas out there?

[Bret]

A trocor (sp).

I never spell check anything else...I know.

May I try "what is a trocar", Alex.

[lakeportfarms]

That's a trocar. It's used as a last resort if your cow has serious bloat and tubing hasn't worked. It's stuck into the cow just behind the ribs near a few inches down from the backbone on the cow's left side. You then pull out the middle part and let the gas escape from the rumen.

It's not a fun thing to do, but it can save their life.

[mozarkian]

it looks like a tool that two vets were using in a video I watched last week about treating displaced abomasums at a dairy. They were using a "roll and toggle" technique and using the tool like that to thread stitches into the cow. Here's the link to the series of instructional videos on the subject.

Roll and Toggle Correction of Left Displaced Abomasum — College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University

[tinknal]

Yep, it's a trocar. I hate em'. Every time I've ever used one the cow always developed peritonitis. I've found that a large gauge needle with a 60 cc syringe works much better. Stick the cow, put the barrel of the syringe on the needle. You will be able to hear the gas hiss out. If the hissing stops it means the needle is plugged, then use the plunger to clear the obstruction.

It takes longer but but far less traumatic on the cow.