BLOAT IN CATTLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22740, 28 May 1937, Page 5

BLOAT IN CATTLE

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS PREVENTIVE MEASURES CURATIVE TREATMENT 71V IT. nHERKTON Superphosphate lias played an undeniably important role in the development of New Zealand's volcanic land, and more particularly of that devoted to dairying. But its over-liberal or injudicious use lias brought some troubles in its train, the chief of which is probably "elover-dominence." Apart from tlie role which, it is suspected, a superabundance of clover plays in causing "taint" or feed flavours in milk and cream, it is definitely dangerous to dairy stock as a cause of bloat. Many farmers have constantly to watch their cows during the season of lush clover growth, and the annual loss resulting from this trouble is by no means negligible, in spite of all the care which may be taken. The trouble arises in the first stomach, variously known as the paunch or rumen, where the food awaits mastication. Many green foods, and particularly those of the legume family, give off a considerable amount of gas when they-are warmed and mixed with the digestive juices in the rumen and, particularly when empty or hungry cows are turned on to moist, sappy and attractive feed, and are allowed to overeat themselves, gas is formed so rapidly that bloat is almost certain to result. Nature's Safeguard The act of chewing the cud appears | to relieve the paunch of any gas which | may form, and it is therefore a sure preJ ventivo of bloat to allow cows to graze I dangerous feed for short periods only, I taking them off at intervals for a suffi- ! cient time for them to settle down to chewing the cud. They can then be returned to the clover paddock with comparative safety. In spite of all precautions, however, some particularly greedy cows, which appear to be afraid that their mates will get more than thev, will always be liable to suffer from bloat when put on any attractive and luscious feed. What really happens is this: The cow's paunch becomes distended with food, but she will not stop feeding and start chewing the cud and so allow the accumulating gases to escape. The distended rumen presses forward against the diaphragm—the membranous partition between the chest cavity and abdomen. 'lbis, in turn, presses forward against the lungs, restricting their space and action, and as a result the animal is compelled to breath in short, quick gasps. This, however, would probably only cause discomfort were it not that tho distressed cow refuses to chew her cud, with the result that gases continue to accumulate in the paunch until the lungs, in turn, press against the heart, often cramping the flow of _ blood through one of the main arteries or veins. When this occurs, quick death results. Any action taken to save a cow from death must be quick and decisive, and should not be delayed after quick breathing and other obvious signs of distress are noticed. Early Simple Treatment Sheep and horses, as well as cattle, can become bloated, tutu having that effect with hungry sheep, and clover or lucerne with horses. With sheep, as shepherds well know, the condition can be immediately remedied if a roundended stick is pressed down at the back of the animal's tongue, so opening the gullet and allowing the escape of the gas. W T ere the same procedure practicable with cattle, the result would be equally satisfactory, but with these larger and stronger animals the operation is more difficult to perform. The same effect is secured, however, by pushing a short length of rubber hose down the cow's gullet. The gas escapes through this, giving" immediate relief. If bloating has not progressed to a dangerous stage, it may often be relieved by putting a piece of wood, about the thickness of a broom handle in the cow's mouth like a bit, and tying this in place with a rope over her head behind the horns. This induces the cow to work her tongue about in an effort to get rid of the stick, and in this action the gullet is sufficient opened to allow the accumulated gas to escape. Another popular early cure is to place tar, axle grease or any other highly-flavoured and fjtickv substance to which the cow objects, at the back of her_ tongue. This, similarly to the wooden bit, makes the cow work her tongue about in an effort to get rid of the foreign flavour, with the desired result that tho gullet is effectivelv opened. The effect of charcoal, and even earth as gas absorbents is well known to doctors and veterinarians, and where other simpler methods of getting rid of the gas fail, a cure can generally be effected by drenching the cow with as much £rround-up wood charcoal, or even earth free from sand, as can be made liquid in a quart of warm water. Use of Trocar and Canula

Should the case of bloat have gone bo far that the animal is practically insensible when found, nothing remains but to use the trocar and canula, or, in the absence of these, the knife to quicklj relieve the paunch of gas pressure. '1 ho operation should be performed on the distended point about midway between the last rib and the hip bone on tho loft side. When the trocar and canula are used, a firm pressure, with the point sloping slightly downwards, will penetrate the rumen when the trocar should lie withdrawn, leaving the canula in for some time—an hour or more —until all cases being generated have escaped, and the cow is on the way to complete recoverv. When a knife has to be used, a long-bladed and sharp pointed one should bo chosen, and after it has been pushed into the rumen in the same way as advised for the troear. tho blade should be turned sideways in the cut to allow tho escape of the gas. Tn both instances the wound should be covered with a plaster of pitch, tow and tar, or other adhesive mixture, to prevent blooding and keep out, air and possible infection.

Calves, especially those fed on whey or skim milk only, and which are tempted to gorge themselves to obtain enough nourishment from their food, are also subject to bloat. Tn their case (lie end of a smooth stick, such as a broom handle, pressed down at the back of the tongue will usually give quick relief in escape of the gas. But with those youngsters, also, death follows bloating so quiekly that no time should be lost directly the first symptoms—staggering and shortage of breath —appear.