Treating cattle
Early/mild cases
Animals that are mildly affected can be treated orally with an anti-bloat preparation. After dosing, keep the animal moving to encourage the preparation to mix with the frothy rumen contents.
Moderately affected stock
Bloated animals starting to show signs of distress need veterinary attention. A stomach tube can be used to relieve the gas build-up. Anti-foaming agents can be delivered directly into the rumen through the tube. Moving the animal around after treatment is important.
Severe cases
Animals that are severely bloated and distressed need rapid relief. This may be achieved by inserting a wide-bore trochar and cannula into the rumen high on the left flank (where the swelling is greatest). After gas and froth is released, an anti-bloat preparation is poured through the cannula into the rumen to help break down remaining froth/foam (dose according to label instructions – see ‘Always read the label’). In emergency situations, vegetable oil (250–500 mL) or paraffin oil (100–200 mL) has traditionally been used.
In most cases of frothy bloat, a trochar and cannula will not be adequate to relieve pressure, and a 10– 20 cm incision will have to be made using a clean, sharp knife. It may be necessary to scoop the frothy material out of the rumen by hand. In these emergency cases there is usually no time to wait for a vet to arrive, so stock owners will have to do this themselves. Veterinary attention is necessary to irrigate the abdominal cavity, clean and stitch the wound and give antibiotic treatment to prevent serious infection.
Table 1: Animal treatments (cattle)
Table 2: Animal treatments (cattle) – products containing monensin
Table 3: Licks and blocks
Table 4: Pasture treatments
