Doctors remove 52 kg plastic from cow’s stomach in Chennai

It took five-and-a-half hours for a team of surgeons to remove all the waste the cow had consumed for close to two years.

On Saturday Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University (TANUVAS) removed 52 kilograms of plastic waste from a cow's stomach. The surgery took more than five hours. Reports the Indian Express on October 22.

When Munirathnam, the owner of the cow, found the animal was having trouble in passing stool and urine it was brought from Thirumullaivoyal to TANUVAS in Vepery. The animal had been kicking its belly in pain for some time. The cow's milk yield had dropped significantly, though it had delivered a calf a month ago.

The owner first consulted a local veterinarian, and was advised to take the cow to TANUVAS.

After running a few tests, taking an X-ray and doing an ultrasound scan, the doctors confirmed that there was foreign substance in the animal's stomach. 

A team of doctors led by Dr Balasubramanian, Directorate of Clinics, assistant professors of surgery Dr Sivashankar and Dr Velavan, along with other senior surgeons, performed the operation. 

The doctors said 75 per cent of the cow's digestive system had plastic in it.