An indwelling catheter for the collection of cat uterine fluids

A catheter system is described which allows for repeated samplings of uterine fluids in an awake animal. At laparotomy, catheters were inserted surgically into the ovarian pole of each uterine horn. The catheter ports then were passed through the abdominal wall through a stab incision and tunneled subcutaneously to a midlumbar position on each flank. The common uterine body was ligated to form a closed compartment. Uterine fluids were collected by saline lavage. Approximately 80% of the saline injected into one port was collected from the contralateral port and the catheters functioned successfully in each animal for approximately 45 repeated samplings.