Video 24 Rumen Bloat
As the grass starts to grow there is one challenge along with grass tetany farmers now need to be on the watch for. That is ruminal bloat during the grazing season.
The rumen is a magnificent organ. This large fermentation bath is what drives production. Taking inedible cellulose and converting it to digestible fatty acids. It is extraordinary what our cows and sheep do by turning the largest biomass in the world (cellulose) into protein for human consumption.
We must remember the key to successful ruminant farming systems is good rumen health. It is the billions of microbes in this large stomach that are making the magic happen.
Watch the video above as I discuss the basics of rumen function.
When rumen health becomes unbalanced we can also slow down this efficiency and even have severe disruptions like bloat.
Bloat is where the excess gas (methane and CO2) produced in the rumen can affect normal function. It can occur quite rapidly meaning that death can ensue also quickly. It causes huge pressure in the chest of ruminants and often leads to cardiogenic shock.
So we must be mindful of the risks and then limit them.
There are two types of bloat
- Primary which is where excess gas is produced in the rumen. This is by far the most common type of bloat. We typically see this at the moment in the form of Frothy bloat at pasture.
- The other type of secondary bloat we see is where something obstructs the expulsion of gas in a normal functioning rumen. These cases will respond well when spotted to relieving the gas by stomach tubing. They may swell up quickly again meaning that the cause of the obstruction is still there. These cases will often need a permanent trocar or fistula if bloating continues. Examples of these can be foreign body obstructions or abscesses in the esophagus.
So let’s talk Frothy bloat.
This is where the microbes in the rumen produce extra gas. This creates a foam in the gas layer which is not easily eructated (belched). These animals will start to swell up quickly often on the left-hand side (where the rumen sits). They can often go down and bloat up quite quickly.
These cases, unfortunately, are often found dead.
Treating
These are emergencies and require urgent attention. Normal tubing may not expel this foam very well
These cases may require trocars or ruminal fistulas placed by your vet.
Time is against us here, so we need something that will reduce the formation of this foam. We can use detergents or anti-foaming agents. When spotted first they should be walked back to the yard slowly.
Walking can take the pressure off for a short period until treatment is administered. Animals down may need emergency intervention rapidly to relieve the gas.
Oral treatments with oils or detergents will have success along with methods to relieve the gas.
Any animals found dead at pasture consider bloat, tetany and clostridial diseases as differentials.
Why does it occur in spring
Lush pastures being low in fiber and high in soluble protein may increase the risk. Clovers, in particular, create an extra risk. Also, spring grass can be high in sugars and water content all meaning these bugs are working harder and producing a lot of gas.
This may also mean less saliva production which can act as a buffer in the rumen,
These soluble proteins can rise to the top of the rumen becoming insoluble and causing this froth to develop.
Indoors we see bloat in finishing cattle where we see a big increase in concentrates and low fiber in the diet. This can occur particularly where grains are finely ground.
I spoke to two farmers last week who both suffered unusual and bad cases of bloat. The only thing that bot had in common was they turned out cattle to pasture that had just recently been fertilized. Now nitrogen poisoning is also a differential but the cases presented with bloat.
Possibly the recent fertilizer application could have increased the NPN in the rumen leading to more gas and insoluble proteins being formed.
So it is time to be vigilant and great care should be taken when putting stock into new lush pastures with clover. The use of strip wires to slowly introduce them might be the wise choice during the risk period.
Some people will feed bloat oil in water during risk periods, particularly with at-risk swards like clover.
If you get a suspect case of bloat recheck grazing strategies and reduce the risks.
Thought for the day
Prevention beats cure all day long. When we manage farming systems, we can manage the risks by planning ahead.
As they say “fail to prepare then be prepared to fail”.
Huge thanks to Nettex in helping support me in making this series for more information click the link here http://www.net-tex.co.uk