I lost a big heifer to bloat 3 years ago in early spring. Cool damp spring and the white clover grew like crazy and the grass didn't, never happened before in that pasture... I've put out bloat blocks now every spring as a precaution for about a month until the grass starts growing good. Cheap...
I've got the California bander and used it but have gotten to where I prefer to cut them and use a clamp... takes a little longer but there's less bleeding and they go right out and start eating most of the time... much shorter recovery time