Literature

Chronic vascular catheterisation of the koala and the rabbit 

GM CLEVA,¹ GM STONE,¹ DL EVANS¹ and RK DICKENS²

¹Department of Animal Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006

²Blacktown Veterinary Hospital, Blacktown. New South Wales 2148

ABSTRACT

Vascular access ports were surgically placed, first in rabbits maintained under laboratory conditions, and then in koalas maintained in a wildlife park. The ports remained patent for 9 months in rabbits and for up to 13 months in the koalas and were removed successfully. They allowed collection of blood samples without assistance or disturbance in koalas, and without stress as reflected by plasma cortisol concentration. The use of retention rings on the cannula tubing is recommended.