Re: Do cows really explode when methane gases build up in their stomachs?

Dear Meghan:

Hm.  Exploding cows for an English paper?  I won't ask.  According to Dr. David 
Lee, a colleague of mine, cows won't explode due to methane gas building up in 
their stomachs in warm weather.  They can, however, die due to a syndrome known 
as bloat.  Bloat occurs when the cow eats fresh clover or lucerne.  These cause 
foam to build up in the cow's stomach.  When the foam becomes stable, the gasses 
from fermentation build up and the cow literally bloats up.  This can be 
rectified by inserting a pipe into the cow's stomach to release the pressure.  If 
the pressure is not released, however, the cow can die from bloat.

Check out:
bloat
and dairyherd

Hope this helps!
Ingrid Dodge
Madsci Admin