Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-04
Stolen Greens and
Bloating Cattle
Present Problem,

With the approach of the season at
which bloating OF cattle frequently
occurs, the bureau of animal industry
\ of the United States department oil
! agriculture calls attention to the prin-
cipal causes OF the trouble and also
| the means by which 1t l1ay be avoid
ed. Many COW has Gene to an I'M
timely end, because she became dis
satisfied with the scanty feed to be
gathered from the closely crop-fed
pasture, broke down the fence that
surrounded a .ield containing more
luxuriant growth. and stuffed herself
with the luscious stolen greens until
! she lost all desire for even another
mouthful.
| Soon her troubles begin. Fermenta-
ton develops IN the mass of corn or
| clover and gas forms that fills the
first stomach OF the COW TO its utmost
capacity.
| How Fermentation Causes Death.
The danger TO the animal from acute
! bloating Is not that the distended
stomach may rupture, for such an ac-
ciGent is almost unknown. The pres
sure of the as-distended stomach
however. exerls a dangerous pressure
upon the heart and lunsJ, with the re-
suit that the animals dying from
acute bloating usually die of strangu-
| lation thru inaLality 10 breath with
their compressed lung tissue.
The stock owner should guard
| against the blCating Of his cattle by
| every precaution at his command
| Glover or other green vegetation, IL
eaten when wet by dew or rain, seem
| to be especially liable to ferment be-
| fore leaving the first stomach OF the
| animal that mas fed upon them. Eat
| ing excessive amounts Of middlings
| OF corn meal viii also cause boating.
1t also occurs in cattle as a result oil
| becoming choked. The principal
cause, however, is overeating succulent
green forage, such as clover, green
| corn or cabbage.
Change Feed Gradually.
To prevent oloating in cattle, the
animals should be shifted, by easy
! stages, from dry or scanty feed to
| abundant ana luxuriously growing
| fodder. They may be allowed to feed
| from the good forage for only three
quarters of IN hour on the first day
! they are given access to such grazing.
A full hour may be allowed on the
second day, anu by continued slow
steps and gradually heightened stay
| in the tempting feed. the danger of
loss from bloa,ing will be largely
overcome.
But in case the first evidence of a
| too protracted stay in the heavy
growth of forage should be that the
owner notices ore of his animals with
sides distended, and perhaps even lift
ed above the level of the backbone.
he must ack quickly. If veterinarian
| is within reach he should be summoned
at once. If no surgeon is available,
the owner should Immediately attempt
to bring relief to the animal.
Trocar and Method of Use.
Many cattle owners keep d trocar
and canula constantly on hand and
| thoroughly understand its use. The
| trocar is a sharp pointed rod provided
| with a metallic sheath or canula which
| leaves the point of the trocar exposed
| The spot to be selected for inserting
the trocar is i point equally distant
| from the last rib, the hip bone, and
| the lateral bony projections from the
spine in the region of the loins. Here
| small cut about three -fourths of an
| inch long should be made thru the
| skin with small knife. and then the
| trocar with the canula attached may
| be pushed thru the cut into the
| paunch. The trocar is then removed
allowing the gas to escape thru the
| canula. The canula should be re-
| tanned in place so long as any gas
| escapes thru it. Sometimes several
hours are necessary, and the canula
should be firmly tied in place. An at
tendant should remain near the animal
if possible as long as the canula is il,
the panunch.
Medicines That Relieve BIoatine.
If the animal is not distressed BY
the bloating, and the swelling of tho
| body is not great, or when the alarm
| ing conditions have been removed by
! the use of the trocar, it is best to re-
sort to internal medicine to allay the
formation of gas. Two ounces Of aro-
matte spirits of ammonia in two
| quarts vi toiu " dlSl oiiOulu NC SiN VI
! every half hour, or half an ounce OF
chloride of lime dissolved in a pint oil
! tepid water may be given every hall
hour until the pressure Of the bloatin4
has been removed. A Gose Of purga-
! tive medicine is usually beneficial afte,
the boating has disappeared. For
this purpose enc pound of Glauber's
| salts will usually prove effective.
Care should be used in the admin
! stration of fluid medicines. TAX
time. Do not hold the cows head ton
high. Keeping the animals head
raised. so that her nose is slightly
! higher than 'ha level Of her face will
allow her. to swallow without inter-
| fsrence ------- IL