Bloat in Cattle

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of primary ruminal tympany, also known as frothy bloat?

Increased saliva production

Reduced rates of digestion and ruminal passage

Decreased protein content in the ruminal contents

Entrapment of normal gases of fermentation in a stable foam (correct)

What is the effect of feeding on ruminal fermentation?

It supplies nutrients for a burst of microbial fermentation (correct)

It slows down microbial fermentation

It reduces the production of soluble leaf proteins

It reduces the release of small chloroplast particles

What is the role of salivary mucin in relation to bloat?

It is an antifoaming agent (correct)

It increases the release of small chloroplast particles

It reduces the production of soluble leaf proteins

It acts as a foaming agent

What is the pH at which the monomolecular layer around gas rumen bubbles has its greatest stability?

pH 6.0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of bloat that occurs when free gas is separated from the ingesta?

Secondary or free-gas bloat Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of death rate recorded in cattle grazing bloat-prone pasture?

20% Signup and view all the answers

What is the factor that determines if bloat will occur?

The nature of the ruminal contents Signup and view all the answers

What is the annual mortality rate from bloat in dairy cows?

1% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that contributes to the susceptibility of animals to bloat?

Increased concentration of small feed particles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following legumes is known to cause bloat?

Alfalfa Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely reason why certain legumes, such as sainfoin, do not cause bloat?

They contain condensed tannins Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical stage of growth when leguminous bloat is most common?

Vegetative and early bud stages Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely cause of frothy bloat in feedlot cattle?

Production of insoluble slime by certain species of rumen bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical timeframe for feedlot bloat to occur in cattle?

1-2 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of finely ground grain on foam stability?

It markedly affects foam stability Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cattle is least commonly affected by frothy bloat?

Dairy cattle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the skin over the left flank in severe cases of bloat?

It becomes progressively more taut and cannot be tented Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical time frame for death to occur after the onset of clinical signs in animals with bloat?

Within 3-4 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the rumen contents in secondary bloat?

Excess gas is usually free on top of the solid and fluid ruminal contents Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between free-gas bloat and frothy bloat on percussion?

Free-gas bloat has a higher pitched ping, while frothy bloat has a lower pitched ping Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of an emergency rumenotomy in life-threatening cases?

Marked relief for the cow Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical finding in the cervical esophagus during necropsy?

It is congested and hemorrhagic Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a larger bore instrument in emergency relief?

To allow the viscous foam to escape quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended course of action if the cannula fails to reduce the bloat and the animal's life is threatened?

Perform an emergency rumenotomy Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the liver during necropsy?

It is pale due to expulsion of blood from the organ Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of diagnosing the cause of secondary bloat?

Clinical examination Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of passing a stomach tube of the largest bore possible?

To relieve the pressure in the rumen Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action if the bloat is not relieved quickly by the antifoaming agent?

Observe the animal carefully for the next hour Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of passing a stomach tube or trocarization on free-gas bloat?

It alleviates the distension of the rumen Signup and view all the answers

What type of oils are effective as antifoaming agents?

Both vegetable and mineral oils Signup and view all the answers

What is the dose of antifoaming agent effective in relieving bloat?

250-500 mL Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of incorporating dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (docusate) into an antifoaming agent?

To enhance the surfactant properties of the antifoaming agent Signup and view all the answers

What is the effective dose of Poloxalene for treating legume bloat?

25-50 g, PO Signup and view all the answers

What provides short-term relief for cases of free-gas bloat associated with external obstruction of the esophagus?

Placement of a rumen fistula Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum proportion of hay required in the diet to effectively reduce the risk of bloat?

One-third Signup and view all the answers

What type of pastures are more likely to cause bloat?

Rapidly growing pastures Signup and view all the answers

What is the most reliable method of preventing pasture bloat?

Continual administration of an antifoaming agent Signup and view all the answers

How often should an antifoaming agent be administered to prevent pasture bloat?

Twice daily Signup and view all the answers

What is an alternative method of administering an antifoaming agent?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What type of antifoaming agents are available?

Oils and fats, and synthetic nonionic surfactants Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bloat

Bloat is an overdistension of the rumenoreticulum with gases of fermentation, either in the form of a persistent foam mixed with ruminal contents (primary or frothy bloat) or free gas separated from ingesta (secondary or free-gas bloat)
Predominantly a disorder of cattle, but also seen in sheep
Susceptibility to bloat varies and is genetically determined
Death rates as high as 20% in cattle grazing bloat-prone pasture
Economic loss from depressed milk production in non-fatal cases and from suboptimal use of bloat-prone pastures

Etiology and Pathogenesis

Primary ruminal tympany (frothy bloat) caused by entrapment of normal gases of fermentation in a stable foam
Coalescence of small gas bubbles inhibited, intraruminal pressure increases, and eructation cannot occur
Factors influencing foam formation: soluble leaf proteins, saponins, hemicelluloses, salivary mucin, and chloroplast particles
Bloat-producing pastures are rapidly digested, releasing small chloroplast particles that trap gas bubbles and prevent coalescence
Protein content and rates of digestion and ruminal passage reflect the forage's potential for causing bloat
Legume forages like alfalfa and clover have a higher percentage of protein and are digested more quickly, making them prone to bloat
Other legumes like sainfoin, crown vetch, and fenugreek do not cause bloat due to condensed tannins that precipitate protein and are digested more slowly

Clinical Signs and Lesions

In frothy bloat, the skin over the left flank becomes progressively more taut, and in severe cases, cannot be "tented"
Dyspnea, grunting, mouth breathing, protrusion of the tongue, extension of the head, and frequent urination
Rumen motility does not decrease until bloat is severe
In secondary bloat, the excess gas is usually free on top of the solid and fluid ruminal contents
Tympanic resonance over the dorsal abdomen left of the midline
Free gas produces a higher pitched ping on percussion than frothy bloat
Distension of the rumen can be detected on rectal examination
Necropsy findings: congestion and hemorrhage of lymph nodes, epicardium, and upper respiratory tract, compressed lungs, and intrabronchial hemorrhage
Cervical esophagus is congested and hemorrhagic, while the thoracic portion is pale and blanched (the "bloat line" of the esophagus)

Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical diagnosis of frothy bloat is usually obvious
Emergency rumenotomy may be necessary in life-threatening cases
Trocar and cannula can be used for emergency relief, but a larger bore instrument is necessary in peracute cases
Antifoaming agents can be administered through the cannula or orally
In frothy bloat, passing a stomach tube of the largest bore possible is recommended
Various antifoaming agents are effective, including vegetable oils, mineral oils, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (docusate)

Control and Prevention

Prevention of pasture bloat can be difficult
Management practices to reduce risk of bloat: feeding hay before turning cattle on pasture, maintaining grass dominance in the sward, or using strip grazing to restrict intake
Hay must constitute at least one-third of the diet to effectively reduce risk of bloat
Continual administration of an antifoaming agent during the risk period is the most reliable method to prevent pasture bloat
Antifoaming agents can be administered orally, sprayed onto the pasture, added to feed or water, or incorporated into feed blocks

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Description

A disorder affecting cattle and sheep, characterized by an overdistention of the rumenoreticulum with gases of fermentation, leading to high mortality rates.