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Bloat in cattle 
Lex Turner, Mutdapilly Research Station 
Frothy bloat (primary bloat)
In frothy bloat, the gases of ruminal fermentation remain dispersed throughout the ruminal contents and form a stable foam that inhibits eructation (belching of gas). Frothy bloat is seen in pasture and feedlot bloat. 
Pasture bloat
Occurs when there is rapid digestion of leaf material and the release of factors that prevent the formation of free gas. It commonly occurs when cattle graze pastures dominated by lush, immature, rapidly growing legumes (clovers, lucerne). It is also seen when cattle are grazed on other forages that have a high protein content. 
Feedlot bloat
Cases of feedlot bloat may be frothy bloat or free gas bloat. The cause of the foam in these situations is not certain. Fine particle size of the feed may be associated with feedlot bloat.
Signs 
Often cattle are found dead and may start dying within an hour of gaining access to a bloat susceptible pasture. The upper left flank becomes distended and the animal becomes uncomfortable. The cattle are seen to kick at their sides. 
As the condition progresses and more gas accumulates, breathing difficulties are seen with mouth breathing, salivation and extension of the tongue. There is also an increase in the heart rate. The early stages are characterised by an increase in the rate and force of ruminal movements. 
As more gas accumulates, ruminal movements are reduced and animals go down and die quickly from respiratory failure. 
Sub-clinical bloat also causes considerable production loss.
Treatment
Acute frothy bloat is an emergency and requires an emergency rumenotomy and has a high mortality rate. Antibiotic therapy is required after an emergency rumenotomy to treat any possible peritonitis. 
Cannulas are often not effective in relieving the pressure of frothy bloat due to the presence of a foam rather than free gas. 
Less acute frothy bloat can be treated with surfactants.
Control
In situations of high risk, twice daily dosing of cattle with bloat oil gives best control. Pastures can be sprayed daily or twice daily with bloat oil. The amount of oil applied to the pasture is calculated from the number of cattle grazing. More oil is needed in rainy weather when the risk of bloat is higher and some oil is removed from the pasture by the rain. Strip grazing is needed to have control over intake of oil. 
Slow release anti-bloat capsules can be administered to cattle before grazing. Monensin can also be administered. 
For more extensive systems, bloat blocks, licks and bloat oils in the water supply can be used. It may be necessary to avoid or limit feeding high risk pastures. Feeding a low protein hay prior to grazing these pastures will reduce the risk. 
Secondary bloat
Usually due to an accumulation of gas caused by a physical interference preventing eructation. This interference may be due to a blockage or interference with the normal function or nerve pathways. The gas in these cases is seen as a free gas cap. 
Signs 
Many of the signs are similar to frothy bloat with an increase in the rate and force of ruminal movements in the early stages followed by a reduction in movements. As the gas increases, there is respiratory distress and an elevation of the heart rate.
Treatment
The gas may be removed by the passing of a stomach tube. In some cases this may assist in the removal of any physical obstruction to the gas.
Post-mortem signs
The signs are the same for primary and secondary bloat. 
* Rapid break-down of the body 
* Distended rumen 
* Congestion in the anterior part of the body 
* Congestion often absent in the posterior part of the body 
* The froth rapidly disappears after death and the cause of death may be difficult to determine. 
Further information
More DPI&F Notes regarding nutrition and diseases of dairy cattle are available from the DPI&F. The site to access these notes is: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/   Notes specifically addressing bloat in dairy cattle include;
* Lucerne for dairy cattle: grazing management 
* Lucerne - Grazing management 
* Lucerne in dryland farming systems: 2003 
To access DPI&F information, services and products
* DPI&F Call Centre: Phone 13 25 23 (Queensland residents) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. Non-Queensland residents phone 07 3404 6999. Email: callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au 
* DPI&F's Web site: www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
This DPI&F Note is also published on the DPI&F's PrimeNotes CD-ROM.

Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter. 

File No: IL0066
Last reviewed May 2005 

  
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