CAUSE

Ingestion of bloating forages or interference with eructation ( release of gases from G.I.T ) mechanism.

SYMPTOMS

Severe distress, difficult respiration, cattle may be found dead on pasture. Mild to marked distension of left abdomen, when severe, distends right abdomen also, protrusion of tongue. Passage of stomach tube in frothy bloat reveals froth and failure to release significant amount of gas. In severe cases , animal may die in few hours or less if tympany not relieved.

TREATMENT

Avoid the animal from bloating pasture. Rumenotomy in severe emergency. Passage of stomach tube or trocar and cannula in less severe cases to release rumen gas. Antifoaming agents into rumen.

CONTROL

Management strategies to reduce rate of rumen fermentation. Use of grass legume mixtures. Delay grazing each day until dew is off; feed hay before grazing. Feed forage supplements prior to grazing. Uses of mixed rations containing chopped roughages and grain.