Bloat and pulpy kidney are ‘spring killers’

17th Sep 2024

Lush green feed is currently present in paddocks across the Northern Tablelands and North West thanks to recent rainfall, however these changing seasonal conditions are also creating the perfect conditions for common springtime animal health issues.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is reminding producers to watch for bloat and pulpy kidney as pastures respond to recent rain events and warm soil temperatures, creating a sudden change in diet for livestock.
Pulpy kidney is often the result of a sudden change of feed, which is a disease in cattle, sheep and goats caused by the overgrowth of clostridial organisms or bacteria in the gut due to the consumption of high carbohydrate feed. Animals being supplemented with heavy grain feeding or moving onto fresh green pasture are at high risk of the disease, which often manifests in young, fast growing livestock that are unweaned or recently weaned and are without a full vaccination history. Pulpy kidney is fast acting and there are often no prior signs of sickness in livestock.
Andrew Biddle, District Veterinarian, recommends a vaccination program of two doses of 5-in-l, dosed 4-6 weeks apart. Further 5 in 1 boosters will be required to maintain a level of protection when feed is so lush and clover dominated.
These conditions also increase the risk of pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia (milk fever) and grass tetany. This can be managed by providing hay to balance the highly digestible pasture and a mineral supplement containing calcium and magnesium mixed with salt to make it palatable.
While ‘green pick’ is a great sign of pasture growth and a reduced reliance on supplementary feed, new green growth also has a water content of up to 90%, making it impossible for animals to eat enough to satisfy their nutritional needs if they do not also have access to other types of feed.
“Producers should continue to provide supplementary feed for livestock until pastures mature and the water content drops”, said Dr Biddle.
Bloat is another risk to livestock grazing lush pasture, especially if the pasture has a high legume content (clover, medics or lucerne). Bloat is caused by a sudden intake of lush, green feed which results in the production of large amounts of gas in the rumen, compressing lungs and stopping blood flow, which can lead to death.
Signs of bloat include an obvious swelling of the upper left flank, rapid breathing, and a reluctance to move or graze. In severe cases where the animal is lying down and unable to rise, veterinary advice should be obtained immediately.
The risk of bloat can be minimised by using bloat oil on trough water and using bloat blocks on in paddocks with dam/creek water, ensuring livestock have access to roughage such as hay, grazing in smaller paddocks allows more intensive monitoring and management and using grazing pasture management to avoid grazing high-risk pastures.
For more information about livestock health, contact your Local Land Services District Vet or Livestock Officer on 1300 795 299.

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Bloat and pulpy kidney are ‘spring killers’

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