Frothy Bloat

[Broomcroft]

Had a cow die yesterday of (probably) frothy bloat and now got another one on the floor, not in a good state. Vet's treated her and now we're just waiting. Grass is nothing special but it is better than it has been for a long time. Vet says he's seeing a lot at the moment. I'm now moving cows onto starvation grazing if I see even a slight sign of them being bloated.

Never had frothy bloat before as far as I know. We've had gassy bloat before a number of times, but this one creeps up on your more sneekily.

Just mentioning because maybe it's something we should all keep an eye on with the improving grass situation!

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Sorry to hear Clive. Anyone worried should take a very critical look at the clover content of the pasture, consider strip grazing to reduce access if no alternative fields available. Green potato tops are also notorious for causing froth but probably rare for cattle to have access. Clive sadly will know this, but frothy bloat is one of the most serious bovine emergencies in my book, though I rarely see it. It surprises many people that froth will not flow along a tube, so passing a stomach tube not likely to help - direct puncture of the rumen by something like a "red devil" canula is often needed, and quikly. Drenching with large amounts of cooking oil can help as it breaks down the bubbles. There are a number of remedies on sale such as "Birp" which are small volume doses of stuff to break up the froth but do not always act quickly enough.

Duncan

[Broomcroft]

The second one has also just died Duncan. We're a bit baffled. The first one died in a field with hardly any clover and the grass wasn't that good either, which is why I put them in there! On that death, I moved the lot to another, very small field but with a bit more grass, and more clover but still not much. I've left them in there now as they've eaten it down quickly.

The grass here in the last few days has really come on and greened up for the first time this year.

Maybe a change in grazing accounts for it. We moved them from the back of the house to the front last week, but I'd say the grazing is similar in the fields that I used.

This has really caught me out. The cow today didn't even look very bloated at all.

I was on the verge of advertising for more Dexter cows, looks like it might be sooner than I anticipated .

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Very sorry to hear this Clive - I presume the diagnosis is certain? It may just be the richness of the grass.

Duncan

[Rob R]

Sorry to hear you've hit yet more problems Clive - it's certainly a challenging year to farm in. At least when it is bad like last year you have a clear goal to aim for, but this year everything seems to be up in the air & decisions aren't as certain as they once were.

I was on the verge of advertising for more Dexter cows, looks like it might be sooner than I anticipated .

I thought you were cutting back? The good news is that there seems to be plenty about, not sure about them being the type you want, but they seem to be mostly in Cornwall & Gloucestershire at the moment. We could do with a few more auctions around now, rather than having to wait for September.

[Broomcroft]

I think it's a certain diagnosis Duncan. Had our vet out and he was confident (or seemed it) that it was frothy bloat. He tried releasing froth through a tube down her throat, gave her muscle relaxant, AF's all IV, and a white drench. He said she was probably too far gone and may well die, but looked not that bad to me except she on her side! I've dealt with quite a few gaseous bloats successfully, including having to puncture their sides, but I am amazed how this cow died when not especially bloated. I can now understand why it's one of your most serious problems.

I have cut back Rob but gone too far, not sure quite how, so will be building up again but only to about 25 sucklers, or I might forget breeding and just buy in stores. Thinking about which way to jump now. Quite like the idea of just finishing, it's what I enjoy most.

[Rob R]

Ah, I see. Well I was considering doing the same thing last year, but with Dexters, when there were plenty around, but this year I'm thinking that the only safe way to ensure I have enough is to breed my own. A bit different for more 'commercial' breeds/crosses

[Broomcroft]

Ah, I see. Well I was considering doing the same thing last year, but with Dexters, when there were plenty around, but this year I'm thinking that the only safe way to ensure I have enough is to breed my own. A bit different for more 'commercial' breeds/crosses

Yes, that's the problem. It's a nice thought acting as a finishing unit only, but all the travelling and searching for stock that's not the sort you'll find at a local market is a pain and probably wouldn't get anywhere or be viable.

[springwater]

Sorry to read your bad news, Clive
We're probably too far away from you, being down in Devon, but I've got a couple of cows I'm just about to add, both with calves, one bull and one heifer, already TB tested ...

[helena]

I am sorry to hear about your cows.
We always put a ring feeder in the field with some fresh barley straw in it,at the moment we are strip grazing stubble turnips (too late to drill corn in the spring) the cows are in an open yard at night they have straw during the night so that on turnout they have straw inside them to help digestion.If the fields become too lush with rain the feeders go in and fresh straw put in daily just enough for them to clear in a day.(Commercial cows)
Is the bloat on one side or both is it hard and sounds like a drum if you tap it left side.
If it was one of mine I would look at why the gut is not working correctly,I use a B12 supplement every 6 weeks we have a colbalt problem on this farm.
Sorry about spelling etc my key pad is doing its own thing and I have lost my specs again.

[Broomcroft]

It was fairly soft and not that swollen. Vet was definite it was frothy bloat. I met the knackerman as he collected the second cow today. He said they were lifting the first one the carcase "exploded", grass went all over the place apparently.

If you saw the field she was on I think you'd be amazed. They are side fields with old grass where I put animals that need to loose weight. To be honest the field was hardy suitable for cattle, best for sheep.

I've just put all my steers on a similar field, and they are immediately filling up as well, so going to bring them back in tomorrow and starve for half a day or so.

I have never seen the grass change colour so quickly. It's gone from mid-green to a deep, lush green in a matter of days. The knackerman says dead cows are keeping him very busy at the moment, vet said similar. Maybe it's local?

[helena]

have you tried bicarb I always have a tub in stock (supermarkets have them in baking section)mixed with warm water ,barley and potatoes are our big worry for bloat.Once new barley is fed I have tubs in stock

[debra wiltshire]

We have a lot of clover on our fields as discussed in previous posts. We were told the red was worse than the white for bloat..We do as Duncan suggests and strip graze we also give them a constant supply straw and hay from last year which seems to help...always looks 'not quite right' when they have their noses buried in old straw standing in lush green clover. But they are doing well...