When you hear the word “porthole,” you probably imagine the small, round windows on ships or airplanes. But here’s something unexpected — portholes are also used on cows. That’s right. For nearly a century, scientists and farmers have been fitting cows with special devices known as cannulas to access their stomachs directly.
Though little-known to the general public, this unusual practice plays a significant role in agricultural research and animal health.
What Are Cow Portholes?
A cannulated or fistulated cow has undergone a surgical procedure to have a cannula — a rubber or plastic ring — inserted into its side, creating a permanent opening into its stomach. This “porthole” allows direct access to the rumen, one of the cow’s stomach compartments, without requiring repeated surgeries or sedation.
So, why do this at all? The main reasons are scientific research and veterinary care. Cannulas allow researchers to observe digestion in real time, monitor how cows process different feeds, and gather data on nutrition and health — all while minimizing stress to the animal.
A Practice Nearly 100 Years Old
The first documented use of cannulation in cows dates back to 1928, credited to Arthur Frederick Schalk and R.S. Amadon at North Dakota Agricultural College. They used the technique to better understand cow digestion by collecting samples of partially digested food, gases, and microbes.
One landmark study from 1939 revealed that pH levels in a cow’s rumen change throughout the day, peaking in alkalinity right before feeding. Findings like this helped shape modern livestock nutrition strategies.
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Why Cannulate Cows?
Cannulation offers several practical benefits:
- Optimizing feed efficiency
- Boosting milk production
- Improving animal health
- Reducing environmental impacts like methane emissions
By fine-tuning diets based on live data from the cow’s digestive system, farmers can make livestock operations more sustainable and productive. Some veterinarians also use cannulated cows as donors for transfaunation — transferring healthy gut microbes to sick cows as a form of microbial therapy.
The Procedure: How It’s Done
Before surgery, the cow fasts for 24 hours. During the operation, the animal stays standing and awake but is given a local anesthetic to numb the area. A veterinarian then surgically opens the side of the cow and inserts a rubber cannula. Once installed, the porthole allows repeated access with minimal discomfort after recovery.
The healing process usually takes four to six weeks. Supporters of the method say that, once healed, cannulated cows live long, healthy lives — sometimes up to 15 years — and show no signs of chronic pain or distress.
Controversy and Ethics
Despite its scientific value, cannulation is highly controversial. Animal rights groups such as L214 in France and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) strongly oppose the practice. They argue that it’s invasive, unnecessary, and prioritizes industry profits over animal welfare.
PETA has criticized the procedure as “mutilation” and disputes claims that it benefits the animals themselves. "Cows are intelligent and sensitive animals who don’t deserve to be mutilated for any reason," the group has stated.
Videos of researchers reaching into a cow’s stomach through the porthole have sparked widespread outrage. Petitions to ban the practice have circulated in multiple countries.
Alternatives Are Emerging
As technology progresses, researchers are developing alternatives that don’t require live animals. Lab-based models can now simulate a cow’s digestive system, offering new ways to study rumen biology. However, many scientists argue that these models can't yet replicate the complexity of a live cow’s digestion.
In Europe, where the ethics of cannulation are under stricter scrutiny, veterinarians often use less invasive techniques. One common method involves inserting a long, flexible tube down the cow’s throat to extract stomach fluid. Though less invasive, this technique may not yield the same depth of data as a cannula.
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A Public Display — and Backlash
In some parts of North America, cannulated cows are exhibited at agricultural fairs and university events to educate the public. Visitors can observe, and in some cases even touch, the rumen through the porthole.
While these demonstrations aim to raise awareness about livestock science, they have provoked fierce criticism. Many see them as exploitative and demeaning to the animals.
A Larger Debate
The use of portholes on cows highlights a broader issue: how do we balance scientific advancement with ethical treatment of animals? While proponents stress the role of this research in improving farming practices and animal health, opponents argue it reflects a deeper problem in industrial agriculture — placing efficiency above compassion.
As more people learn about this practice, the debate is likely to intensify.
What’s your take? Is cow cannulation a valuable scientific tool or a step too far? Join the conversation on Facebook.
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