FARM NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 87, 13 November 1939, Page 6

FARM NOTES

BLOATING IN CATTLE SYMPTOMS AND CURE As many farmers have lost and are losing dairy cows through bloating, the following article, contributed to the Morrinsville Star, will be of interest . Acute tympanities, known also us "hover," "blown" or "bloating," is a Tather common occurrence among cattle'. It is due to the accumulation of gas in the rumen or paunch through fermentation of the contents. Any indigestible foodstuffs may bring on an attack of tympanities, though certain kinds are Svorsc in this respect than others. Obstruction in the gullet preventing the natural escape or belching up oi gases will provoke a state of hover. It is a frequent complication therefore of choking. The consumption of excessive quantities of food is liable to lead to an attack, or it may accompany impaction of the rumen. Causes and Symptoms. Wet grass, particularly clover, frosted or decayed roots, and other unsuitable provender when consumed, especially by gluttonous ic.edeis or hungry cattle, arc well know n causes of tympanic seizures. The excessive consumption of buttcicups has been known to cause deaths from the effects of tympanities and the poisonous properties of these plants. These. generally occur suddenly cither during the time of feeding or soon afterwards. Swelling of the left Hank, which bulges outwards and upwards, and increasing uneasiness of the animal, arc signs which

cannot easily escape observation. The swelling is firm, tense and drumlike. Pressure over the bulging part meets "with resistance, and the indent is immediately effaced directly the pressure is withdrawn. The flank when struck with the hand emits a hollow sound like a drum The subjects of the attack wears mi anxious expression, breathes with difficulty, and may stagger and fall when inade move. Rumination u : suspended. 'The iininial stands, with arched back, storing wildly, the saliva dripping from the mouth. *0. Effects, The pressure of the distended paunch forces the diaphragm (the libro-muscular partition dividing the belly from the chest cavity) against 4he impeding the act of breathing and interfering wfth Tfie action of the heart. Sometimes tlic blown animal will be found down stretched out upon the right side, and if steps to afford relief are not immediately taken death may soon follow. Among pregnant animals abortion is not an uncommon sequel. Early Relief. If the case is discovered in the early stages relief may be brought about by simply exercising the animal. Another simple remedy is to insert a piece of rope smeared with grease or other distasteful substance in the animal's mouth. A farmer in the neighbourhood of Te Aroha has found Stockholm tar to be the bes,. dressing for the gag in the mouth. Tar is a bronchial stimulant, too. This causes salivation and the exercise of the jaws and tongue and encourages the belching up of the retained grass. Relief may sometimes be obtained by the passage of tne probang (a flexible hollow tube), though few farmers are likely to possess this instrument. Surgical Treatment. In more severe cases, or Avhen the symptoms have assumed an urgent character, drastic measures must oe taken without delay. The operation known as puncturing the rumen can be carried out, preferably with, a trochar and canula (this is a tubular instrument encasing an awl-ilike part Avith a handle and could be. obtained from a A cterinary chemist, or by means of a sharp-pointed knife such as a carving knife. A spot on the left side is selected at an equal distance from the last rib, point of the hip, and the bony processes projecting from the spine oA'er the loins. If the orthodox trochar and canula is available an incision is made in the skin at this point and the instrument is plunged in, in a doAvn%vard direction. The trochar is AvithdraAvn and the canula held pressed l»y the fingers to the side. A rush of gas or frothy material g'i\ r es evidence of the, success of the operation. Tf available a dessertspoonful of forj <ill!H if - •: , ' i■ , ;, • • ■ • / inalin be poured into the paunch (Continued foot next column)

through the opening in the canula to inhibit fermentation of the contents. When recourse is had to the carving knife this should be boldly olunged in at the site previously indicated, and the edge of the Avound held apart.

Medicinal Measures

Internally a dose of two ounces of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a pint of cold Avater should be giA'en every two hours Avliile symptoms con tinue. Two or three tablespoonfuls of Avood charcoal added to a pint of linseed oil and three tablespoonfuls of vegetable turpentine gi\'en as a drench avi 11 also assist in the dispersion and absorption of the gas. A purgatiA r e drench of Jib of epsoni salts, %]J) of common salt and loz ginger dissolved in a quart of Avarni water should be given after the more urgent symptoms are under control.