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Gastrointestinal · Cattle, sheep and goats

Bovine Ruminal Tympany (Bloat)

Bovine Ruminal Tympany (Bloat) (Frothy bloat, Free-gas bloat, Pasture bloat) is a gastrointestinal condition of cattle, sheep and goats. Key signs are distension of left paralumbar fossa, dyspnoea, open-mouth breathing and anxiety, frequent stamping / kicking at abdomen; diagnosis rests on Clinical signs and history and Stomach tube to differentiate frothy vs free-gas: free-gas releases with whoosh; frothy bloat does not relieve. Excellent if relieved early.

At a glance

Species
Cattle, sheep and goats
Body system
Gastrointestinal
Also known as
Frothy bloat, Free-gas bloat, Pasture bloat, Feedlot bloat

Key clinical signs

  • Distension of left paralumbar fossa
  • Dyspnoea, open-mouth breathing
  • Anxiety, frequent stamping / kicking at abdomen
  • Tachypnoea, tachycardia
  • Recumbency and death within hours if untreated (peracute)

Other signs

  • Cyanosis
  • Salivation
  • Bloated dead animals at pasture (only finding)

Differential diagnoses

  • Vagal indigestion
  • Traumatic reticuloperitonitis
  • Oesophageal obstruction (choke)
  • Abomasal displacement
  • Diaphragmatic hernia

Diagnosis

  • Clinical signs and history (recent legume pasture / high-grain feeding)
  • Stomach tube to differentiate frothy vs free-gas: free-gas releases with whoosh; frothy bloat does not relieve
  • Rumen fluid analysis: pH and froth

Treatment outline

EMERGENCY. Free-gas bloat: pass stomach tube to relieve gas. Frothy bloat: oral antifoaming agents (poloxalene, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, or in emergency: 100–250 mL of vegetable oil per orogastric tube). Severe / collapse: emergency rumenotomy or red-rumen trocar in left paralumbar fossa. Prevention: avoid lush legume pastures; feed dry roughage before turn-out; ionophores (monensin) in feedlot diets.

An outline, not a prescription. Check each drug’s dose for the species, the patient and the product in the drug calculator before use.

Prognosis

Excellent if relieved early. Death within 1–4 h in untreated peracute frothy bloat.

Frequently asked questions

What are the signs of bovine ruminal tympany (bloat) in cattle, sheep and goats?

Distension of left paralumbar fossa, dyspnoea, open-mouth breathing, anxiety, frequent stamping / kicking at abdomen, tachypnoea, tachycardia and recumbency and death within hours if untreated (peracute). Less specific signs include cyanosis, salivation and bloated dead animals at pasture (only finding).

How is bovine ruminal tympany (bloat) diagnosed?

Clinical signs and history (recent legume pasture / high-grain feeding), Stomach tube to differentiate frothy vs free-gas: free-gas releases with whoosh; frothy bloat does not relieve and Rumen fluid analysis: pH and froth. Differentials to rule out include vagal indigestion, traumatic reticuloperitonitis, oesophageal obstruction (choke) and abomasal displacement.

How is bovine ruminal tympany (bloat) treated?

EMERGENCY. Free-gas bloat: pass stomach tube to relieve gas. Frothy bloat: oral antifoaming agents (poloxalene, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, or in emergency: 100–250 mL of vegetable oil per orogastric tube). Severe / collapse: emergency rumenotomy or red-rumen trocar in left paralumbar fossa. Prevention: avoid lush legume pastures; feed dry roughage before turn-out; ionophores (monensin) in feedlot diets.

What is the prognosis for bovine ruminal tympany (bloat)?

Excellent if relieved early. Death within 1–4 h in untreated peracute frothy bloat.

Sources

  • Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition

Last reviewed · VetMasterJi