Bloat in Livestock

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Questions and Answers

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

It becomes progressively more taut and cannot be 'tenting' (correct)

It becomes softer and more pliable

It remains unchanged

It becomes numb and insensitive

What is the usual time frame for death to occur after the onset of clinical signs of bloat?

Within 7-8 hours

Within 5-6 hours

Within 3-4 hours (correct)

Within 1-2 hours

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

Empty

Frothy

Excess gas is usually free on top of the solid and fluid ruminal contents (correct)

Solid

What is the characteristic of the sound produced on percussion in free-gas bloat?

A high-pitched ping Signup and view all the answers

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

It releases large quantities of gas and alleviates distension Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the necropsy findings in bloat?

Congestion and hemorrhage of the lymph nodes of the head and neck Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the esophagus in bloat?

The cervical esophagus is congested and hemorrhagic, but the thoracic portion is pale and blanched Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to diagnose the cause of secondary bloat?

Clinical examination to determine the cause of the failure of eructation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of primary ruminal tympany, or frothy bloat?

Entrapment of normal gases of fermentation in a stable foam Signup and view all the answers

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

6.0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of salivary mucin on the formation of a stable foam?

It inhibits the formation of a stable foam Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines whether bloat will occur?

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

What is the consequence of increased intraruminal pressure in bloat?

Eructation cannot occur Signup and view all the answers

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

1% Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of bloat on cattle grazing bloat-prone pasture?

Death rates as high as 20% 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 daily dose of oils and fats given to animals?

60-120 mL/head/day Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum daily dose of poloxalene in high-risk situations?

40 g/head/day Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of roughage required in rations to prevent feedlot bloat?

10-15% Signup and view all the answers

Why should grains be rolled or cracked instead of finely ground?

To prevent feedlot bloat Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of adding tallow to the total ration?

It is occasionally successful in preventing feedlot bloat Signup and view all the answers

Which substance is effective in controlling feedlot bloat?

Lasalocid Signup and view all the answers

What is the common factor that contributes to the susceptibility of bloat in animals grazing legume or legume-dominant pastures?

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

Why do legumes such as sainfoin, crown vetch, milk vetch, fenugreek, and birdsfoot trefoil not cause bloat?

They contain condensed tannins Signup and view all the answers

When is leguminous bloat most common in cattle?

When they are placed on lush pastures, particularly those dominated by rapidly growing leguminous plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the possible cause of the foam in feedlot bloat?

The production of insoluble slime by certain species of rumen bacteria in cattle fed high-carbohydrate diets Signup and view all the answers

What can affect foam stability in feedlot bloat?

Fine particulate matter, such as in finely ground grain Signup and view all the answers

When is feedlot bloat most common in cattle?

When they have been on a grain diet for 1-2 months Signup and view all the answers

What type of crops are commonly associated with bloat in cattle?

Young green cereal crops Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of legume forages such as alfalfa and clover that contributes to bloat?

They are high in protein and are digested more quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of performing an emergency rumenotomy in a cow with life-threatening bloat?

To provide marked relief for the cow by releasing ruminal contents Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a larger bore instrument (2.5 cm in diameter) in emergency relief?

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

What is the recommended treatment when the animal's life is not immediately threatened?

Passing a stomach tube of the largest bore possible Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of blowing and moving the stomach tube back and forth?

To clear the tube by releasing rumen gas Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical outcome of recovery after an emergency rumenotomy?

Recovery is usually uneventful with only occasional minor complications Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of administering an antifoaming agent through the cannula?

To reduce the bloat and provide relief for the animal Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dose of antifoaming agents, such as vegetable oils or mineral oils?

250-500 mL Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (docusate) in antibloat remedies?

As a surfactant to enhance the effectiveness of antifoaming agents Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bloat

Bloat is a disorder characterized by an overdistension of the rumenoreticulum with gases of fermentation, either in the form of a persistent foam (primary or frothy bloat) or free gas separated from the ingesta (secondary or free-gas bloat).
Predominantly affects cattle, but can also occur in sheep.
Susceptibility of individual cattle to bloat varies and is genetically determined.
Death rates can be as high as 20% in cattle grazing bloat-prone pasture.

Etiology and Pathogenesis

Primary ruminal tympany (frothy bloat) occurs when normal gases of fermentation are trapped in a stable foam, preventing eructation.
Soluble leaf proteins, saponins, and hemicelluloses are believed to be primary foaming agents, forming a monomolecular layer around gas bubbles that is most stable at pH 6.0.
Salivary mucin is antifoaming, but saliva production is reduced with succulent forages.
Bloat-producing pastures are more rapidly digested and may release a greater amount of small chloroplast particles that trap gas bubbles.
The nature of the ruminal contents, particularly protein content and rates of digestion and passage, determines the susceptibility to bloat.
Legume forages, such as alfalfa and clover, are high in protein and are digested more quickly, making them more likely to cause bloat.
Other legumes, such as sainfoin, crown vetch, milk vetch, fenugreek, and birdsfoot trefoil, contain condensed tannins that precipitate protein and are digested more slowly, making them less likely to cause bloat.

Clinical Signs and Lesions

Clinical signs of bloat include dyspnea, grunting, mouth breathing, protrusion of the tongue, extension of the head, and frequent urination.
Skin over the left flank becomes progressively more taut, and in severe cases, cannot be "tented".
Rumen motility does not decrease until bloat is severe.
Death may occur within 1 hour after grazing began, but is more common 3-4 hours after onset of clinical signs.
Necropsy findings include congestion and hemorrhage of the lymph nodes, epicardium, and upper respiratory tract, with compression of the lungs and intrabronchial hemorrhage.
The liver is pale due to expulsion of blood from the organ.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical diagnosis of frothy bloat is usually obvious.
Treatment may involve an emergency rumenotomy, trocarization, or administration of antifoaming agents, such as vegetable oils or mineral oils, or surfactants, such as dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate or poloxalene.
In feedlot bloat, rations should contain ≥10-15% cut or chopped roughage mixed into the complete feed, and grains should be rolled or cracked, not finely ground.
The addition of tallow or ionophore lasalocid may be successful in preventing feedlot bloat.

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Description

This quiz covers the symptoms, types, and effects of bloat in cattle and sheep. Learn about the causes, susceptibility, and mortality rates of this livestock disorder.