Early intervention and treatment of mild cases with commercially available oral anti-bloat drenches will give cattle the best chance of recovery, while more severely-affected stock may need an emergency visit from a private vet.
Farmers are warned to carefully monitor livestock and take precautions against bloat, as cases are already being reported this season.
Regional Veterinarian Eliz Braddon, said animals were at risk of bloat when grazing young, rapidly growing pastures, particularly if the clover or lucerne content is greater than 50 per cent.
“Ruminant animals produce large volumes of gas during normal digestion and this gas is usually released by belching or passing into the gastrointestinal tract,” Eliz said.
“When livestock graze legumes and some rapidly growing grasses, gas can become trapped in a stable foam layer in the rumen and they can’t release it through normal flatulence.
“Without timely treatment, the rumen can become severely distended and quickly cause compression of the lungs, obstruction to blood flow, and death.”
Beef producers are urged to closely monitor cattle grazing high-risk pastures for symptoms including a reluctance to eat or move and distension of the left flank.
“Cattle become distressed and may be observed vocalising, breathing rapidly with their mouth open and staggering prior to death.”
Early intervention and treatment of mild cases with commercially available oral anti-bloat drenches will give cattle the best chance of recovery, while more severely-affected stock may need an emergency visit from a private vet. Do not use diesel or other petroleum products to treat animals as the chemical residue risk is extreme.
Eliz encouraged producers to contact their Local Land Services district vet if cattle that appear to have been affected by bloat die suddenly so a post-mortem examination can confirm bloat and rule out other serious diseases.
Minimising losses from bloat requires careful grazing management and the provision of suitable anti-bloat products for vulnerable stock.
Hungry animals should never be given access to risky pastures and farmers should avoid introducing them to a new paddock after yarding or transportation to reduce the risk of immediate gorging.
For more information contact your private vet or call Local Land Services on 1300 759 299.