10/08/2025
Bloat in cattle
Bloat is simply the build up of gas in the rumen.
This gas is produced as part of the normal process of digestion, and is normally lost by belching (eructation).
Bloat occurs when this loss of gas is prevented.
There are two sorts of bloat:
The least common type is gassy bloat, which occurs when the gullet is obstructed (often by foreign objects such as potatoes) or when the animal can’t burp (such as with milk fever or tetanus).
The second type of bloat is frothy bloat, which happens as the result of a stable foam developing on top of the rumen liquid, which blocks the release of the gas.
This is by far the most common form of bloat, and unlike gassy bloat, it is highly seasonal with peaks in the spring and autumn.
This is because the foam is formed by breakdown products from rapidly growing forages (particularly legumes such as clover and alfalfa).
These increase the viscosity (stickiness) of the rumen fluid and prevent the small bubbles of gas formed by rumen fermentation from coming together to form free gas that can be belched off
𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨
Distended left abdomen is the most obvious sign
Usually associated with pain, discomfort, and bellowing.
Death can occur within 15 minutes after the development of bloat.
Gaseous bloat is usually seen in one or two animals.
Frothy bloat can affect up to 25% of cases.
In some cases sudden death may be the first sign seen by the stockman, although in such cases it is likely that there will be other cattle with bloat that are still alive.
𝘿𝙄𝘼𝙂𝙉𝙊𝙎𝙄𝙎
History of what ruminants have fed on is key
Auscultation and Palpation
The use of a stomach tube help to distinguish between Gassy and Frothy Bloat. If is Gassy Bloat, the gas will escape through the tube.
However in Frothy Bloat, no gas will escape.
𝙏𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏
The passage of a stomach tube is the best treatment for a Gassy Bloat.
Should a stomach tube fail, a Trochar and Cannula can be used to punch the side of the rumen to allow the gas or the froth out.
Nevertheless the cause of the obstruction in the case of a Gassy Bloat should always be investigated and treated to prevent reoccurrence.
Antifoaming such as (Polaxolene or Dimethicone) can be used in Frothy Bloat to prevent foam formation.
However some old methods such as the use of Turpentine and linseed oil have proven to be effective.
𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
Avoid grazing animals on high-risk pastures and also ensure feed or pastures are always free from foreign materials such as plastics and stones.
