Bovine Flash Notes - Bloat & Choke

Question 1

what is the most dangerous type of bloat in a cow? why?

Answer 1

acute frothy bloat - distends fast!!! gas is trapped in stable foam, cow cannot eructate, froth is mixed with ingesta

Question 2

what is the classic case presentation of a cow with acute free gas bloat?

Answer 2

gas separates from the ingesta - easier to let off with orogastric tube

Question 3

what are some causes of choke in cattle?

Answer 3

foreign bodies, poor quality hay/roughage, apples, potatoes, & esophageal injury/stricture

Question 4

if you can’t pass an orogastric tube in a cow, what differentials are you considering?

Answer 4

esophageal/pharyngeal obstruction or neuro disease (lack of swallow)

Question 5

what differentials are you considering if you are able to pass an orogastric tube but there is no gas released?

Answer 5

suspected frothy bloat - check for froth in tube

Question 6

what differentials are you considering if you are able to pass an orogastric tube and there is a lot of gas released?

Answer 6

free gas bloat

Question 7

if you go to pass an orogastric tube on a cow that you’re concerned has choke or bloat but you can’t get the mouth open, what differentials are you considering?

Answer 7

tetanus or injury to TMJ/jaw

Question 8

if you go to pass an orogastric tube and have difficulty passing it/cow resists, what differentials are you considering?

Answer 8

pharyngeal or esophageal injury

Question 9

when would you trocarize a cow with bloat?

Answer 9

only when respiratory distress is sevre - rumen trocar in cattle, Ig bone catheter in calves/goats/sheep, & antibiotics with trocarization

Question 10

what is step one in treating a cow with bloat?

Answer 10

relieve gas pressure if present!!!

Question 11

what treatment is used to treat choke in a cow?

Answer 11

carefully remove the obstruction, treat the primary cause, NSAIDS/antibiotics as indicated

Question 12

what medical therapy is used for treating free gas bloat?

Answer 12

mineral oil + carmalax

Question 13

what medical therapy is used to treat frothy bloat?

Answer 13

must destabilize foam - use antifoaming agents (mineral oil is better for froth from high grain diets), can use vegetable/peanut oil, or even hand soap in an emergency

Question 14

what diets predispose a cow to developing acute frothy bloat?

Answer 14

lush pasture, alfalfa, clover, high protein/high carb feed, & green cereal grain