What was the plastic – a bag?
I can’t speak from experience, so hopefully others will contribute. But a quick google found a study showing that non-metallic foreign bodies (junk) over time cause changes in the structure of the wall of the forestomachs. This prevents the normal movements that expel the gas.
If you saw one piece of plastic ingested, there could have been more. Seems the options are having a vet surgically remove the stuff (go in left side while standing), which likely is not worth the cost, or butchering. But as always, a call to your veterinarian is in order.
www.thescipub.com/pdf/10.3844/ajavsp.2007.66.71
There was a strong correlation between the
presence of non-metallic foreign bodies and the
occurrence of recurrent bloat in cows involved in this
study. The presence of large amounts of these materials
in the reticulorumen may lead to over stretching and
distension of these structures leading eventually to its
fatigue. In addition, it has been reported that such
objects may alter the histological structure of the
reticuloruminal wall[7]. These pathological changes may
further have a negative effect on reticuloruminal
motility patterns and digestion processes leading to the
condition. Furthermore, the presence of large amounts
of foreign bodies in the reticulorumen may lead to
alterations in the microbial populations of these
digestive cavities contributing even more in the
pathogenesis of the condition. This theory however,
remains to be verified in the future.
