How to Care for a Cow With Bloat

Caring for a bloated cow depends on the stage of the bloat. One effective treatment is moderate exercise, such as walking, if it's performed before bloat reaches the acute stage. Observable bloat can occur after as little as 15 minutes of grazing. Often the cow bloats only mildly and stops eating; its discomfort is usually relieved by belching. If the bloat is severe, several options are possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Stomach tube or garden hose
  • Speculum
  • Knife
  • Mineral oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Restrain the cow if it has gas-free bloat. Insert a standard-sized stomach tube into its mouth using a metal speculum, which will prevent the cow from chewing the rubber tube. Gas is released when the tube enters the rumen. Usually in less than a minute, a noticeable improvement will appear on the animal's left side. If you don't have a stomach tube, a garden hose (3/4-inch diameter) will work in a pinch; just cut off the metal ring at either end before sliding the hose through the speculum. If a speculum isn't available, two people are needed to insert the hose. One should hold the cow's mouth partially open so it doesn't chew the tube or hose. As the tube or hose passes through its oral cavity, the cow usually swallows it, effectively moving the tube down the esophagus into the rumen.

    • 2

      Administer an anti-foaming agent, such as mineral oil, to your cow if the tube becomes clogged with froth. This often happens when the tube enters the rumen. Repeat if necessary within a few hours. Close observation is imperative to save the animal's life. The cow should begin belching within 10 to 15 minutes of treatment and recover within an hour.

    • 3

      Use a sharp knife to penetrate the rumen in extreme cases of bloating. A rush of gas will exit the rumen, giving the cow almost instant relief. A veterinarian will need to clean the wound and close the incision with sutures to prevent any infections. The cow should be observed for any signs of infection until the sutures are removed.

    • 4

      Place Bloat Guard salt-molasses blocks in fields or pastures, away from water troughs or watering holes. Cows will get their daily intake of the supplement by licking the blocks, which will decrease their chances of bloat.