How to Remove the Bloat

Cows and other ruminating animals cannot chew on an over-the-counter tablet, as we do, when they experience the bloat. The foods they graze on ferment in their stomachs and produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. They usually rid themselves of this gas by belching. When the animal has trouble belching or does not belch enough, the gases build up to the point where the animal has difficulty inhaling and bloat occurs. When severe bloat continues untreated for more than an hour, the animal may die.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-foot-long length of cloth
  • 8- to 10-foot length of rubber hose
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Walk the affected animal, uphill if possible, and try to keep its head up while moving. The signs of bloat --- swelling occurring high on the upper left side of the ribcage as well as swelling in front of the hip bone --- should diminish if the walking is successful.

    • 2

      Tie a gag in the mouth of the animal. Fold a rectangle of clean, dry cloth, lengthwise until it is 3 inches wide and about 2 feet long. Insert it between the cow's teeth, just as you would insert a bit into a horse's mouth. Tie it off behind the animal's neck. The pressure of the gag against the animal's tongue increases the burping impulse and should reduce the volume of accumulated gas.

    • 3

      Slide a hose down through the esophagus into the rumen. Use a 3/4-inch diameter hose for a small animal and a 1-inch hose for a larger animal. Use a rubber hose 8 to 10 feet long. Lay the end of the hose as far back into the animal's mouth as possible and gently wriggle it from the left to right until the animal swallows it. As long as the animal swallows the hose, it will not enter the lungs. When the end of the hose enters the animal's rumen, listen for the sound of escaping gas and watch for the bloating around the ribcage to diminish. If you have not inserted a hose into an animal's rumen before or feel you may injure the animal in doing so, have your veterinarian complete the procedure. Follow this technique only when you have had no success with walking or gagging the animal.