As a result of acidosis, rumen motility becomes impaired, increased absorption of acidic products occurs. A radical treatment for the acute form is evacuation of rumen contents. Reintroduction of normal contents may be required to prevent starvation. This includes reintroduction of a working microflora. Many animals do not recover from acute form.
Gases build in the rumen causing the bloat.
Overfilling of rumen or displacement of the animal or rumen in a way that allows the fluid level to rise above the opening will have similar effects. Froth is less easily eructed than gas, thus causing an expansion of the rumen. Toxins from several sources may decrease rumen motility and eructation reflex. Can occur from any condition that decreases rumen motility and eructation reflex. Any obstruction of the ruminal opening can result in a similar problem as with feed lot bloat.