216 COMMON AILMENTS OF CATTLE 



Causes. — Some animals are predisposed to bloating by the 

 habit of over-eating or eating too quickly. The chief cause, 

 however, is the introduction into the stomach of large quantities 

 of feed which ferments and produces great volumes of gases. 

 Bloating is caused most frequently by eating green feed. It is 

 also caused by sudden changing from dry fodder to green corn, 

 by feeding on rank, luxuriant grass or clover, wet or frozen 

 roots, rotten potatoes, or by allowing cattle to drink large quan- 

 tities of water soon after feeding. Bloating caused by eating 

 young clover is quite common, occurring mostly when the cattle 

 are first allowed to feed on it. Clover is not so apt to produce 

 bloating after it has blossomed. Calves suffering from indiges- 

 tion often develop hoven. 



Symptoms. — The chief and characteristic symptom of bloat- 

 ing consists of a swelling in the region of the left flank, from 

 which a drum-like sound is emitted when struck with the 

 finger-tips. 



The normal sounds of the rumen cease and the appetite and 

 rumination (chewing of the cud) are suspended. Frequent 

 passages of small amounts of manure occur at first, but gradu- 

 ally cease until no further passages are noticed. The animal 

 has an anxious expression, moves uneasily, as if ^ in great dis- 

 tress, the back is frequently arched and the breathing is rapid 

 and difficult. As the bloating increases, the breathing becomes 

 more laborious and the animal experiences great difficulty in 

 retaining its equilibrium, and if not relieved within a short 

 time, falls down and suffocates. Frothing at the mouth, together 

 with occasional belching of gas, are frequent symptoms. 



Course of the Disease. — The course of acute bloating is 

 very rapid. If the rumen is only moderately distended the 

 animal may recover unaided, while in severe cases the animal 

 may die in an hour or so if not relieved. 



Treatment. — As regards prevention, one should avoid the 

 sudden changing from dry to green feed, and cut green feed 

 should not be fed after it has begun to ferment. Cattle should 

 be allowed to pasture only for a short time on clover, at first, 

 and the feeding of frozen, watery feeds should be avoided. 



