BLOATING IN CATTLE.
—This disease, sometimes called hoven, is characterized by the distention of the paunch or rumen, and is due to the accumulation of gas. It most frequently occurs when cattle or sheep are pastured on clover or alfalfa, especially if it is moist just after a rain, or when dew is on the ground, and when not accustomed to fresh green food. I have known of many cases where cattle have bloated from eating alfalfa hay during the winter season.
There is no mistaking the disease. The animal shows pain, goes off to itself, and breathes with difficulty. Colic is often associated with bloating. The most characteristic symptom, however, is the excessive swelling due to the gas. The bloating is noticed even over the back of the animal, the gas continues to form, and, unless relief is secured, the animal will choke and die as the result. Or some suppression of the vital processes will occur, even rupturing, with the same fatal ending.
WHERE TO TAP IN BLOATING
Insert the trocar and canula, or if these are not available a knife may be used. Make the puncture downward and forward and plunge the instrument into the rumen.
Bloating may take one or two forms; a mild case in which recovery gradually follows, and a very severe form, where the only salvation is in tapping to release the gas. If it is an ordinary case of bloating, not very severe, ordinary remedies will give relief. Turpentine in doses of 8 or 10 tablespoonfuls is good. Some use 4 tablespoonfuls of hyposulphide of soda dissolved in water, with excellent results. Some veterinarians give doses consisting of 4 tablespoonfuls of aromatic spirits of ammonia in water as a drench. Ginger is frequently given, as much as 4 tablespoonfuls diluted in warm water as a drench. To keep the animal moving about is excellent.
In severe cases it is advisable to tap with the trocar and canula. Indeed, tapping is the last resort if you would save the animal. These are inserted on the left side of the skin and pushed into the rumen or paunch, the incision being made about half way between the point of the hip and the last rib. In introducing the trocar push in and down.
After the insertion is made, the trocar is withdrawn and the canula is left in to furnish an opening through which the gas can escape. In case the canula gets clogged with partially digested feed, insert the trocar so as to push away the material and withdraw it again. If the trocar and canula are not available, then use a pocket knife. Of course, be careful that the incision is not made too large.
Just a few simple precautions are suggested here as a prevention of this trouble. There is always danger from bloating when cattle or sheep are turned into green pastures, especially when not accustomed to such feed and especially when wet. It is advisable, therefore, to keep stock from the pasture until later in the day when the dew has disappeared. Stock should have their regular morning feed just as usual before being turned on the pasture. They will have less greedy appetites, will not like to gorge themselves, and hence the trouble will not be brought on.