bloat stopper

[kathy]

has anyone heard of using a piece of wood, (like a piece of broom handle) and some rope to help a cow that's bloating? My grandfather apparently used this method when he was in trouble, he would put the stick in the mouth and tie it with the rope around the head and walk, walk, and walk. After some walking the animal would belch and relief in sight.

 

[Ryder]

I saw a vet do it once years ago. I think it might help 'sometimes', but certainly not a sure fire remedy.

 

[msscamp]

The biggest problem I can see with this remedy is the average cow is not halter broke so how can you walk them?

 

[kathy]

well you have a point on the none halter broke cattle, but all of grandpa's cattle were show cattle, and this was a really long time ago. When calling a vet was probably unheard of.

 

[msscamp]

Sounded like a smart-a#$ answer and I apologize. I didn't mean it that way. What about bloat blocks or mixing baking soda in their feed to prevent bloat?

 

[Ryder]

The biggest problem I can see with this remedy is the average cow is not halter broke so how can you walk them?

If you can catch them and tie a stick in their mouth, just put them in a pen and keep them moving. They don't have to be on a halter. Just be careful they don't step on and damage any beneficial snakes :frowns:

 

[kathy]

no msscamp, didn't think that was a smart#*? answer, but i question ryders response. oh well, i just found it interesting that this used to be a practice at one time. being fairly new yet, i haven't got used to the uncalled for remarks yet.

 

[msscamp]

Ryder, don't be like that. We disagreed on which snakes to kill, but that doesn't mean that Kathy isn't entitled to some help here. Truce?

 

[Wilson_Cattle_Company]

Besides getting them caught, when we have trouble we take a pocket knife and jab them in the left side this will relieve the gas in a hurry. You have to be careful when doing this and where you jab them. I wouldn't do it unless you have done it before or have someone show you where to whap em. Its important to clean em up after you do that. Keep them in the sick pen and keep that cut cleaned up!! ;-)

 

[Medic24]

A poke is just fine....but I would invest in a trocar for a few bucks, when you stick it in, and pull the cannula, it helps seal the wound and pulls the gut up against the abdominal wall, so the gut contents does not spew all over inside when it shifts, and it will shift.

We use the screw trype trocars as they hold better, and will come out on their own in about a month.

As WCC mentioned.....use aseptic habits when doing this. :cboy:

 

[cypressfarms]

I've seen people saddle up and run cattle that were bloated. The thought being that they would pass the gas. This was an ol' timer, and I don't use this method, but to each his own.

 

[Bez!]

I've seen people saddle up and run cattle that were bloated. The thought being that they would pass the gas. This was an ol' timer, and I don't use this method, but to each his own.

Done this myself a few times.

The stick method: We create a rope halter with a couple of have hitches and tie the stick in the animals mouth quite like a horses bit. Tie it tight and let her go.

She will move on her own - throw her head all over the place and usually the bloat comes down. It is a very old dairy trick that I learned some years ago.

In reality it is not very practical to most small beef operations as they usually do not rope and stretch them. So the animal has to be brought up to the chutes and squeeze.

In the end it usually means you run them and it works, you stick them when you find them down or you work to keep your pastures on a bloat free protocol - not always practical or possible.

Unfortunately, most of us do not find them in time to help and we cuss all the way home.

Bez!

 

[Anonymous]

Therabloat by Pfizer works like a charm. Always keep a bottle or two on hand.

 

[la4angus]

but all of grandpa's cattle were show cattle,

Only problem with this method is very few peoples herd is all ex show cattle.

 

[Texas PaPaw]

Therabloat by Pfizer works like a charm. Always keep a bottle or two on hand.

60-120 cc of Ivory liquid does the job for me. Keep a bottle next to the squeze chute just in case.

Regards

Brock

 

[Angus Guy]

The bit works great. I've used it many times. Also walking works and they don't have to be halter broke. The thing to remember is these are for mild cases and not chronic bloat.

P.S.
Walking is as good for you as it is for the cow :roll: :roll:

 

[msscamp]

P.S.
Walking is as good for you as it is for the cow :roll: :roll:

Not trying to be a smarty pants here, but it is sometimes better depending on the cow one is trying to walk! ;-)

 

[swede]

i've used a 5 ft. hose that u stick down the cows throat: then pour some vegtable oil down the hose to prevent more bloting:but make sure that the hose is in the stomach and not the lungs, if its in the rumen you will know cause it smells

 

[Carlos D.]

had bloated calves --Put 1 inch tube down their throats seem to work just fine

carl

 

[Limomike]

I had a year old heifer get bloated a while back.. and I just ran her around the barn lot for a while... that took care of it.