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Esophageal Choke

Esophageal Choke. Horse Owners Seminar March 17, 2007 Carla Sommardahl. My horse is choking??? . Heimlich maneuver will not help!! Esophagus = muscular tube leading from throat to stomach Horse can still breath Esophagus blocked by a foreign object most commonly

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Esophageal Choke

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  1. Esophageal Choke Horse Owners Seminar March 17, 2007 Carla Sommardahl

  2. My horse is choking??? • Heimlich maneuver will not help!! • Esophagus = muscular tube leading from throat to stomach • Horse can still breath • Esophagus blocked by a foreign object most commonly • Tumors or scar tissue from previous choke

  3. Normal Anatomy

  4. Common Sites of Obstruction • Esophageal opening • Mid cervical region • Thoracic inlet • Terminal Esophagus = Cardia

  5. Potential areasof obstruction!

  6. Common foreign objects • Pellets, Grain, beet pulp • Hay, grass clippings • Pieces of fruit, commercial treats • Hay or alfalfa cubes • Baling twine, twigs, wood shavings • Any improperly chewed feedstuff

  7. Signs of Choke • Excess drooling of saliva with feed material or froth from mouth • Heavy nasal discharge with feed material and froth

  8. Signs of Choke • Extend head and neck • Restless behavior • Difficulty swallowing • Cough, retching • Colic

  9. What can you do? • Call your veterinarian = Medical emergency • Damage to esophagus can lead to scar tissue • Aspiration of fluid into lungs = pneumonia • Remove all feed and water • Put in unbedded stall

  10. What will your veterinary do? • Complete physical exam • Sedation to relax horse and lower head • Passage of a nasogastric tube to identify obstructed location • Lavage of esophagus with head down

  11. Further Examination • Endoscopy of the esophagus • Assess damage • Better view obstruction • Radiographs of the neck area with and without contrast • Radiographs of the lungs

  12. Complicated or Severe Choke • Hospitalization for fluid therapy and monitoring • Anesthesia to remove object more easily • Surgery • Last resort if object cannot be removed or is not digestible • Incision made into esophagus

  13. Prognosis • Good in most cases (< 24 hours duration) • Depends on: • Length of time obstructing material remains in esophagus • Damage to esophagus • Previous episodes

  14. Complications of Choke • Dehydration • Electrolyte imbalances • Aspiration pneumonia • Upper airway irritation and inflammation

  15. Complications of Damage to Esophagus • Esophagitis • Motility disorders • Esophageal ulcers and stricture (scar tissue) • Esophageal diverticulum • Pocket formed from stretching of esophagus, traps food • Esophageal rupture or tear

  16. Aftercare • Gruel diet until esophagus has healed • Senior or complete feed soaked in warm water • Small frequent meals best • No hay or grass

  17. Prevention • Proper dental care • Yearly exams and floating • More frequent in older horses • Rapid eaters • Feed separately to avoid competition • Place large rock or salt block in bucket • Good quality hay • Avoid grass clippings

  18. Prevention • Older horses or horses with previous choke • Avoid dry pelleted feeds and beet pulp • Moisten prior to feeding. • Avoid hay cubes or large fibrous horse treats if new to horse

  19. Tennessee Lottery Winner

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