With the recent warm days and the greening of pastures, cattle producers will need to start thinking about the prevention of bloat. Bloat is a digestive disorder characterized by an accumulation of gas in the first two compartments of a ruminant’s stomach (the rumen and reticulum). Production of gas (primarily carbon dioxide and methane) is a normal result of rumen fermentation. These gases are usually discharged by belching; but if the animal’s ability to release these gases is impaired, pressure builds in the reticulum and rumen and bloat occurs. Pasture, or “frothy” bloat, results from the production of a stable foam and if not relieved, the pressure created by the entrapment of rumen fermentation gases in the foam can lead to death by suffocation in as little as one hour or less. Bloat can occur on any lush forage that is low in fiber and highly digestible, but is most common on immature legume (clover and alfalfa) pastures.

Bloat can occur after as little as 15 minutes to 1 hour after they are turned out to a bloat-producing pasture. However, there is often a lag of 24 to 48 hours before bloating occurs in cattle that have been placed on a bloat-producing pasture for the first time. Often the animal bloats only mildly and stops eating; therefore, the discomfort is eventually relieved. In more severe bloat, the animal’s rumen is swollen (especially on the left side), it urinates and defecates frequently, bellows and staggers. If the condition continues death is likely caused by suffocation, when the swollen rumen pushes against the diaphragm and prevents inhalation.

Bloating usually occurs when hungry cattle are first turned onto legume pastures. It seldom occurs on grasses (or pastures with at least 50 percent grass) or hay. Bloat usually follows a heavy feeding or grazing period. Hungry or aggressive feeders are most susceptible which is why producers often see their “best-doing” cattle develop this condition. Other conditions also increase the incidence such as frost, dew or rain on the field. Bloat incidence is likely to be increased during periods of rapid plant growth in the spring or following a summer rain. Also, adaptation of animals to a particular feed is an important factor. As animals become adjusted to a particular pasture or ration, the rumen microbial population adapts and the animal is less susceptible to bloat. While complete elimination of bloat is not realistic, there are management practices that can significantly reduce the incidence of bloat. These practices include the following: (1) begin grazing in the spring on pastures that are predominantly grass or grass-legume (at least 50 percent grass) mixtures. This will allow the animal and the rumen microflora time to adjust to the pasture. (2) Make sure that the animal is full when first put onto pasture in the spring. Feeding of dry grass hay or corn silage to animals before turnout to fill the rumen can allow the animal and their rumen microbes time to adjust. (3) Animals fed several pounds of supplemental grain before turnout are less likely to bloat. (4) Delay turnout until the forage is dry following a dew or rain. (5) Avoid placing animals on legume pastures after a light frost. Watch animals closely for bloat that are already on these pastures when frost takes place. (6) Check animals for bloat carefully every two hours when beginning grazing. (7) Rotate pastures in a manner that assures animals are not excessively hungry when going onto fresh pastures. (8) Consider anti-bloat products that contain poloxalene (2-4 g/100 lb body weight/d) several days before turnout and during periods where bloat is likely. Effectiveness of this product depends on daily intake; therefore, mixing it with a daily supplement is more effective than feeding in blocks in the pasture. Another useful product is Rumensin® which has also shown efficacy in reducing the incidence of bloat. (9) Some animals are chronic bloaters. If a particular animal frequently shows signs of bloat, it may be best to remove that animal from the herd.

When bloat is observed, immediately remove affected animals from pasture and offer dry hay. This will reduce the bloat problem in all animals that will eat. Forcing bloated animals to walk can increase belching. When handling an affected animal, remember to move them calmly and quietly because breathing is impaired by the buildup of pressure in the rumen. If the bloating has not been lessened once you get the animal to the pen, several options should be considered. They include: (1) stomach tubing—this involves restraining the animal and passing a rubber hose down the esophagus (taking care to avoid passing it into the animal’s trachea) and into the rumen providing a mechanical release of the gas. (2) Administration of a vegetable or mineral oil drench—this will reduce the surface tension and allow the stable foam gas bubbles to rupture. The rate for treatment is 300 to 500 mL (10 – 12 oz) for a 450 kg (1,000 lb) animal, administered in one dose. This treatment can be repeated several times within a few hours if necessary. (3) Trocar (medical instrument with a sharp pointed end, often three-sided) this should be the last possible resort and should only be used when the animal is down and cannot be moved. Use of a trocar, a device that punctures the rumen from the outside is a rapid and effective means of releasing the gas, but it requires treating the animal with antibiotics because of the risk of peritonitis.

NCSU