Only occasional cleaning of water troughs will also affect intake. Inclusion of an ionophore may help reduce intake fluctuations. Gas then accumulates causing distention of the rumen. The skin on the left side of the animal behind the last rib may appear distended. Although bloat is often classified as being either pasture or feedlot bloat, it is probably more accurate to identify it as being either free-gas bloat or frothy bloat.
Frothy bloat is more common in cattle eating legumes or lush grass than in feedlot cattle.
Free-gas bloat is more common in feedlot cattle. In situations of foamy or frothy bloat, gas production is not greatly increased but the gases are trapped in the foam. Frothy bloat in feedlots usually develops slowly over several weeks and often become chronic. Many of the same factors causing acidosis are associated with free-gas bloat. Therefore proper bunk management and other preventative measures should be practiced for prevention of bloat.