Bloat in cattle — accumulation of gas in the rumen — causes severe abdominal distension and pain and can be rapidly fatal if untreated, requiring prompt recognition and intervention.
Bloat causes rapidly escalating welfare compromise from abdominal pain and respiratory difficulty as the distended rumen presses against the diaphragm. Affected cattle show progressive distress including kicking at the abdomen, looking at the flank, and laboured breathing. Without intervention, cardiovascular compromise from venous compression leads to collapse and death. The welfare priority is rapid recognition and intervention, either with anti-foaming agents for frothy bloat or identification and relief of the cause in free gas cases. Prevention through careful pasture management — avoiding lush legume-dominant pasture before cattle are adapted — eliminates the most common cause of frothy bloat.