BLOAT

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BLOAT
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• It occurs in all ruminant species.
• Bloat is caused by an accumulation of gas in the
  first and second stomach (rumen and reticulum).
• There are two types of bloat
• Primary Excess gas build up
• Secondary Blockage of the esophagus

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Primary Bloat

• Caused by an interference in the regulation of
  the amount of gas eliminated through eructation
  and/or excess gas production by fermentation.
• Occurs most frequently on newly developed, highly
  productive pastures. Incidence highest in wet
  summers on legume (alfalfa and clover) dominant
  pastures.

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• Susceptibility to bloat is probably inherited to
  some extent.
• Rations to low in fiber content increase the
  occurrence of bloat.
• When highly fermentable feed is consumed rapidly
  in large amounts, it ferments and forms acids
  that create bubbles of gas in the stomach content
  which can lead to bloat.

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Secondary Bloat

• Caused by a blockage of the esophagus preventing
  eructation.
• Common items that cause blockage are
• Corn Cobs
• Turnips
• Apples
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Sugar Beets
• Baler Twine
• Etc.

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Symptoms of Bloat

• Both primary and secondary bloat have the same
  symptoms.
• Distension of the left side.
• Labor breathing, frequent urination, and
  defecation.
• In some cases profuse salivation, protruding
  eyes.
• Eructation slows and stops along with rumen
  motility.
• Mucus membranes become cyanotic.
• Develop a staggering gait, animal collapses, and
  can not rise. (Death can occur within 30 minutes
  of the first symptoms)
• Death is due to suffocation.

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Treatment of Primary Bloat

• In severe cases the primary objective is to
  release the gas taking the pressure off of the
  diaphragm so that the animal can breath.
• If the animal is not down, a stomach tube should
  be passed to release the gas. If the tube can
  not be passed it may be necessary to use a trocar
  or a large needle.
• Antifoaming agents (mineral oil or other
  surfactants) are useful if they can be inserted
  into the stomach either orally or with the use of
  the stomach tube.
• Walking the animal slowly up and down an incline
  sometimes helps in less severe cases.

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Treatment of Secondary Bloat

• Remove the blockage in the mouth or the
  esophagus.
• Use a stomach tube with mineral oil to try and
  clear the blockage. If this doesnt work, may be
  necessary to perform a tracheotomy to remove the
  object.
• If the animal is having great difficulty
  breathing it may be necessary to trocar or needle
  to release the gas from the rumen.

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Prevention of Bloat

• Prolaxamine, marketed under the trade name Bloat
  Guard, (usually in the form of a feed block) is
  useful in preventing bloat and should be made
  available a few days prior to grazing pastures
  containing legumes.
• Copper Sulfate can be added to the diet to lessen
  gas production (it kills protozoa that causes
  excess gas production).
• Do Not use in sheep diets as copper is toxic
  to sheep.

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• When grazing straight or mixed legume pasture
  limit grazing time (1 hour) the first few days
  and over time build up to continual grazing.
  This allows the animals rumen micro flora to
  adjust so there is not an over production of gas.
• Make sure animals have an adequate source of
  fiber (dry hay of low quality).
• Feeding a buffer such as baking soda can also
  lessen the incidence of bloat.