Nylon Ingestion in Cows: Causes, Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

[Henlus]

Please how can one tell early enough that it’s nylon problem and not bloat or worms? The symptoms look similar.

That’s a very good question, because honestly the signs of nylon blockage, bloat, and worms can look almost the same at first. But there are some key differences you can use to tell early before it’s too late.
Feeding and rumination:
If it’s nylon or plastic, the cow will just stop eating completely and you won’t see it chewing cud at all. Even when you force-feed, it turns away.
But in bloat, the animal may still try to eat small feed and then swell up fast, especially after eating fresh grass or beans haulms.
For worms, appetite may reduce but not totally stop — the cow still eats and chews cud but loses weight gradually.
How the belly feels:
For nylon cases, when you touch or knock the left belly, it feels very hard and tight, almost like a drum.
Bloat feels swollen and elastic — when you tap it, it sounds hollow or “boomy.”
Worms don’t make the belly that hard; instead, you’ll see rough hair and pale eyes.
How fast it happens:
Nylon blockage develops slowly — maybe over days or weeks, as the animal starts rejecting feed bit by bit.
Bloat comes suddenly, even within hours.
Worm problems take longer — weeks to months.
Other small clues:
With nylon, the stomach goes silent — no rumen movement at all.
With bloat, the cow struggles to breathe, salivates, and may fall suddenly.
With worms, there might be diarrhea, pale gums, and slow growth.
If you’re not sure, call a vet. They can check by passing a stomach tube or doing a small test to see if gas or feed can move.
In the meantime, if you suspect nylon, give vegetable oil or liquid paraffin, provide plenty of water, and don’t delay calling a vet if it doesn’t improve in a day or two. Early action can save the animal.