Bloated Cow? Here Are Causes And Most Effective Solution
Kelvin Wairimu 
Bloated cow
Bloating in cows is a life-threatening condition when gas builds up in the rumen. It is caused by feeding legume pastures, high grain diets, young fresh weeds, or silage and feeds with aflatoxins.
The worst condition is to wake up to a bloated cow at its worst where breathing is a problem. Though the condition requires simple treatment, it kills fast if prompt intervention is not given.
Bloating often known as ruminal tympany happens when gas forms and builds up in the rumen of ruminants. For Kenyan farmers, it’s common in cows, goats and sheep.
In cows, the common cause is feeding legumes pastures, rotten silage and concentrates with aflatoxin. Feeding with fresh weeds can also cause bloating. A sudden change in animal feeds can disrupt normal digestion and gas expulsion.
First signs and symptoms of Bloating in cows
The prevalent sign is distended abdomens. The first and most important sign you need to be looking for in bloated cattle is an unusual distention of the upper left side (left flank) of the animal. The whole rumen may be enlarged resulting in a large distention of the left side.
Read: How To Prevent Mastitis In cows in Kenyan Dairy Farms 2024
The left side is where the rumen is situated, and where you are most likely to see how much an animal is bloating.
Bloated cattle act restless and may kick their bellies or even roll over in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.
In extreme cases, breathing may be difficult. Animals will try to breathe through their mouths because it becomes more difficult to breathe with the distended rumen pressing onto the lungs and diaphragm.
Sometimes they may show excess salivation with their tongue protruding like they are panting. The head is extended to get most of the air to the lung as possible.
In the end, death occurs. This is due to the rumen pushing up against the animal’s diaphragm preventing inhalation. The animal just collapses and dies quickly without a struggle.
The best way to treat bloated cattle.
The first treatment is to remove the animal from the bloat-causing source immediately and move them to a non-legume pasture.
Then assess the severalty of the bloat. The best treatment is drenching with Epsom salt solution. Alternatively, farmers can drench castor oil.
If it happens at night farmers can use sugar and salt solution.
In severe cases, a trocar can be used to puncture the rumen and release gas, but this should be done by a veterinarian or trained personnel.
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