Causes and Treatment of Bloating in Cattle:

2020-03-09

Ruminant animals produce significant gas during digestion. When this gas cannot escape from the rumen, the stomach swells up, a condition known as bloating.

Causes of Bloating:

1. Feeding excessive leguminous grasses (such as vetch, lentil, pea, etc.)

2. Overfeeding of concentrated feed

3. Excessive urea fertilizer application in grazing fields, or providing too much calcium, magnesium and nitrogen in feed

4. Feeding spoiled or stale food

5. Blockage anywhere in the digestive tract

Symptoms:

1. Sudden swelling of the left side of abdomen

2. Animal shows discomfort, repeatedly lies down and gets up, occasionally kicks at belly

3. Breathing difficulty with tongue protruding, mouth open, drooling, and head stretched forward

4. Stops eating and eliminates waste

5. Stops rumination

6. Tapping the belly produces a drum-like sound

Treatment Measures:

1. In early stages, crushed ginger mixed with water can be given

2. Baking soda can be administered

3. Anti-bloat preparations work well - after medication, the animal should be walked to help the preparation mix properly with rumen gas

4. In severe cases where animal may die from suffocation, puncture the upper left paralumbar fossa to release gas.