130 Moo-gic Foam: A Dive Into Frothy Bloat
schlo315 and snow0078
Frothy Bloat In Ruminants
Learning Objectives
- Describe normal ruminant digestion
- Explain what frothy bloat is and what causes it
- Understand how to treat frothy bloat
Ruminant Digestion
Ruminants, including cows, have 3 more stomachs than we humans do. This is how they are able to eat almost exclusively grasses and hay and are able to draw out so many nutrients. If we humans with only one stomach were to rely solely on grass it would not bode well. Ruminants have 4 compartments of their stomach which include the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
Click on the image below to learn more about the different chambers in a cow’s stomach:
Frothy Bloat
What is Frothy Bloat?
This is a digestive disorder that affects ruminants. This disorder occurs when gas is produced by microbes in the rumen during normal fermentation but the gas becomes trapped in a stable foam. This prevents the normal release of gasses through burping leading to excessive gas accumulation within the rumen.
Symptoms of Frothy Bloat:
- Distended left side of the abdomen: the rumen will become visibly enlarged on the left side of the abdomen
Left side distention in a cow - Labored breathing: due to pressure on the diaphragm from the distended rumen
- Increased salivation
- Restlessness and general discomfort: Animals may show signs of
kicking their abdomen
What Causes Frothy Bloat?
Frothy bloat is due to the ingestion of certain forages and feeds that cause the formation of stable froth in the rumen. Some examples of the feed factors include:
- Legume-rich feeds: pastures with legumes such as alfalfa and clover that can contain compounds that lead to the production of stable foam in the rumen
- Highly fermentation diets: excess carbohydrate fermentation can lead to the stable foam in the rumen
- Certain plant species: plant species that are lush and consumed in large quantities can increase the risk of developing frothy bloat
How Do You Treat Frothy Bloat?
Antifoaming agents are commonly used to treat frothy bloat. These agents may include dimethicone or polaxolene which disrupt the foam releasing gas freely into the stomach and allowing the animal to burp it out. In severe cases, a stomach tube may be used to release the gas from the rumen.
The video below further explains frothy bloat in comparison to free-gas bloat in cattle.
Test out your new knowledge by matching each cow picture to the symptom of frothy bloat they are experiencing.
