Some individuals seem to have a greater incidence of bloating. If the animal becomes bloated to the point of concern, you can use a garden hose, with the ends cut off and the length about 5 feet long, and pass it via the mouth and esophagus into the rumen to relieve the gas. Don't force the hose, and be careful that you don't force the hose down the trachea into the lungs. You could feed a free-choice block called Bloat Guard that is carried by most feed stores. It is free-choice, so the heifer will have to consume the product, or it will not help. If you have a pasture that does not have a lot of legumes like alfalfa in it, consider moving the heifer to graze that pasture. Sometimes it may be worth it to cull a chronic bloater from your herd.

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