Bloat

Bloat is a serious health problem of domestic ruminants. A bloat is a form of indigestion marked by excessive gas accumulation in the rumen. During digestion, gas is produced as part of the normal process and is usually released by the eructation process from the body. Bloat happens when any reason disrupts this eructation process loss of gas. There are two types of bloat. The most common type of blot is gassy bloat and the second type of bloat is frothy bloat.

The cause of bloat is when the food is congested in the rumen, by eating rotten feed or excess ingesting of succulent green grass or leguminous plant. Clinical Signs Swollen the left abdomen is the clearest sign of bloat. The disease is usually associated with depression followed by respiratory distress, abdominal pain, and anorexia. The affected animals stop feeding and ruminating. Death can occur within 20 to 30 minutes after the development of bloat if animals do not get treatment in time.

Diagnosis Disease can easily be diagnosed by observing the clinical sign. History of feeding and passing a stomach tube into the rumen will differentiate between gassy and frothy bloat. Treatment Using a stomach tube to remove gas is the best treatment for gassy bloat. Rumen puncher by trochar and cannula to relieve gas are also recommended for the treatment of bloat. Linseed oil and oil turpentine effectively reduce gas production in the rumen.

Prevention Adequate fiber diet (hay or straw) should be included during feed formulation. In particular, try and keep up fiber intakes during risky periods. Farmers must be careful with excess concentrate feeding. Regular animal health inspections and advice from veterinarians can reduce bloat. [Md. Giasuddin]