BLOAT

Muckit

Anyone any effective remedy for this?

Have a heifer that got it this time last week. Vet gave her injections and I kept her in hay in the shed. She released the gas and went back to normal...

But a few day back on grass and she's swelled up on left side again :mad:

From looking on net, it seems that you can get salt licks with polaxolene to avoid the foaming that is causing the problem

Any experiences of it and what cured it?

munkus

Is there alot of clover in the field?

Muckit

It's old pasture. There would be a bit of clover, but nothing excessive. I have her in the shed again on hay, but it's not a long term solution.

And it's a double edged sword, because when I let her out again she'I graze like mad and I'm back to square one! :mad:

Pharaoh1

Some cattle seem to be suceptible to it but they are usually ok once they get accustomed to good grass.
I've used Bloatenz in the drinking troughs before and it seemed to work ok. Dosed with liquid paraffin for bad cases.
I had a bullock last week also slightly bloated I checked him as often as I could and got him up and moved him around and he's been ok since.
Vet advised that they are usually not too bad unless they are huge or immobile or labouring/panting but its always a worry.

Has put me off introducing any more clover until I can afford to get a proper dispensing system for the troughs.

Min

Had a nice calf die of bloat, housed and he bloated overnight and was dead when I got to him.

If an adult animal constantly gets it then maybe the vet should puncture a hole to allow the gas out.

Muckit

Thanks Pharaoh1. Bloatenz ... did you get this off the vet or where?

Muckit

Min wrote: »

maybe the vet should puncture a hole to allow the gas out.

A trocar could introduce an infection. Seemingly with forthy bloat tubing to remove the air isn't effective, you are looking at something to reduced the foaming

bbam

I've only seen this twice.
Once was bad as it repeated as you describe. We fed hay until it had gone down, then cut some grass and brought it into the animal in the shed, building up over a week I think. Was long time ago, think the grass was cut with a scythe, shows how long ago that was.

Muckit

Yes this is only our second case of it. The introducing the grass slowly in the shed along with hay sounds like a good idea

whelan1

it might not be bloat, could be an infection that entered the navel at birth and causes the bloat had a bull last year that keep bloating up, used bloatguard etc, kept him in, it would go down but swell up again not long after we would let him out .. not clovery pastures, sent him to factory, vet was with him a few times... put him on calf crunch as it was easier on his stomach

ceannfort

Natural rock salt is best preventative for this.

Muckit

Really? In the water?

ceannfort

No, big pieces left out for free access or on top of the silo. Cattle lick it as required and it regulates the ph in the stomach

Muckit

I don't think bloat has anything to do with PH. Are you thinking of acidosis?

ceannfort

Muckit wrote: »

I don't think bloat has anything to do with PH. Are you thinking of acidosis?

I may stand corrected on this but are frothy bloated and acidios symptoms of an upset digestive system.

LostCovey

ceannfort wrote: »

I may stand corrected on this but are frothy bloated and acidios symptoms of an upset digestive system.

Are you just guessing things, or am I being very unfair to you?

49801

got a calf here with bloat too... cant remember if she got a few injections as a calf or not

Have to talk to vet about it yet but am not too hopeful atm.

Noticed it nearly 2wks ago now but not off food and is passing everything ok.
is moving around fine but not as lively and she should be.

ddogsbollix

Yes... Bloat and acidosis are related and both are because of a low pH in the rumen. mineral oils can help reduce it. My next question is, obviously its froathy bloat because of the way you were explaining it so is the animal on a high cereal diet??

Pharaoh1

Muckit wrote: »

Thanks Pharaoh1. Bloatenz ... did you get this off the vet or where?

Sorry for delay.
I got Bloatenz from local co-op. It comes in 5 litre cans.

Muckit

ddogsbollix wrote: »

Yes... Bloat and acidosis are related and both are because of a low pH in the rumen. mineral oils can help reduce it. My next question is, obviously its froathy bloat because of the way you were explaining it so is the animal on a high cereal diet??

Heifer was out at grass and receiving no meal. She was at grass over 4weeks before incident. It appears from what I've read, that it can be hereditary. Why else would one animal swell and another not when on the same diet? Her digestive system seems to be more sensitive to small changes in diet. It seems to coincide with the growth period of clover.

Only thing in common between the two incidents I have had (this one and a case 3 years ago), is that they were both bought in animals. Never had it in animal reared on farm.

RE mineral oils. I came across this alright. Linseed oil appears to be good to bring down swelling, but has to be given in a bigger dose than say bloatenz to be effective.

Muckit

Pharaoh1 wrote: »

Sorry for delay.
I got Bloatenz from local co-op. It comes in 5 litre cans.

Thanks Pharoaoh1. Have a lad ordering it in for me. What did you pay for it? Was it around the €50 mark?

ddogsbollix

ya she must have it in her genes. its a pain in the ass. hope she pulls through! but i have seen that many animals will exhibit bloat and sometimes if ya just leave them alone it can repair itself if it isnt to bad. the rumen just needs time to a just

Muckit

Pain in the ass is right! Just when you think you have work of foddering and herd testing out of the way and that they're able to fend for themselves!

She's back on a bare paddock and under close observation... fingers and toes crossed :rolleyes:

Muckit

ddogsbollix wrote: »

ya she must have it in her genes. its a pain in the ass. hope she pulls through! but i have seen that many animals will exhibit bloat and sometimes if ya just leave them alone it can repair itself if it isnt to bad. the rumen just needs time to a just

As pharaoh1 already stated, it's not overly serious unless they are badly swelled and it's affecting their breathing. They'I be whizzing and eventually panting with tongue out.

This is emergency time. It can take them quick if undetected and monitored closely, so it's a worry until they are back to normal. They can die in under 3hours if the gas is not released - heart and lungs give in.

Muckit

Heifer back to herself.... but just in case