# 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.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/diseases/bovine-ruminal-tympany · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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.

- [Monensin — doses and monograph](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/monensin)

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## Prognosis

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

## Related

- [Rank differentials from clinical signs](https://vetmasterji.com/diagnose)
- [Bovine Mastitis](https://vetmasterji.com/diseases/bovine-mastitis)
- [Foot-and-Mouth Disease](https://vetmasterji.com/diseases/foot-and-mouth-disease)
- [Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex](https://vetmasterji.com/diseases/bovine-respiratory-disease)

## 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

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