[Fam4Bush]

" Causes of bloat include: 1. an inherited tendency for bloat, 2. certain proteins in forage, 3. the amount, rate of intake, and coarseness of the roughage, 4. the type of rumen microbial population, host-parasite reaction following grub treatment, 5. choking, and 6. enlargement of the lymph-nodes between the lungs which compress the esophagus or interfere with the function of the vagus nerves." 7. tired, immature farm wife ignorance OK. Years later, I remain guilty.

[Zuriel]

With beef cattle (my only experiences), they were sometimes poked more than once since the rumen seals up in seconds. The pressure actually sufficates them, by squeezing the lungs.

(I used to farm, but the big farms squeezed the 'air' out of my way of life.)