Veterinary advice should be sought before applying any treatment or vaccine.

Frothy Bloat

Ruminal Tympany, Pasture Bloat

Bloat is a common gastrointestinal condition in ruminants that is characterized by the accumulation of gas in the rumen and reticulum. Bloat can occur as a frothy or free gas form. Frothy bloat occurs due to rapid consumption of high protein, highly digestible feed, resulting in excess amounts of stable foam in the rumen. Free bloat occurs as a result of an obstruction or functional problem that prevents normal release of rumen gas. Free gas form is more common then frothy form in goats.

Symptoms

%

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam

Treatment Options

Treatment TypeDetails
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)15-30 ml administered orally
Poloxalene100 mg/kg administered orally

Prevention

  • Only provide low-bloat potential forages
  • Use a mixture of grass or silage-legumes

References

Risk Factors

  • Allowing goats to graze on bloat-causing forages (alfalfa, sweetclover, red clover, white clover, alsike clover, kura clover, winter wheat).

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