CHOKE IN HORSES

Choke is a condition in horses in which the oesophagus is blocked, usually by food material. Although the horse is still able to breathe, it is unable to swallow, and may become severely dehydrated.

SIGNS OF CHOKE

• Difficulty swallowing (horse may try to swallow without success)
• Disinterest in food
• Coughing
• Extending the neck and head, usually in a downward direction
• Discharge from the nostrils. usually green in color, although it may also be yellow or clear, often looks like vomit
• Increased salivation saliva drooling from the mouth
• Heart rate may increase slightly, due to the distress of the animal
• Occasionally, a lump on the side of the neck is visible or can be palpated where the esophagus is blocked. This is normally most obvious on the left.

DIAGNOSIS

If a horse is suspected of choke, a veterinarian will often pass a stomach tube down the animal's esophagus to determine if there is a blockage. Failure to access the stomach with the tube indicates a complete obstruction; difficulty passing the tube may represent a stenosis, or narrowing; or a partial obstruction.

TREATMENTS

The only treatment needed is sedation to relax the horse and the esophagus, allowing the obstruction to pass on its own.

The next step is gentle pressure with a nasogastric tube and some type of lavage (washing).

The tube is passed to the level of the obstruction, then warm water is gently pumped into the esophagus to help push the obstruction along.

This must be done gently and carefully to prevent rupture of the esophagus.

The horse is usually sedated so that the head is hanging low, helping the extra water flow out of the nose.

Indigestible objects should be removed via an esophagotomy (an incision into the esophagus).

Following the clearance of an esophageal obstruction, it is a good idea to view the esophageal lining with an endoscope.

This helps determine if there has been any damage, This will help determine how quickly the horse can resume eating food.

If the esophagus has been damaged by the obstruction-- usually seen as erosion or ulceration of the esophageal mucosa--then feed might be withheld or gruel (thin, watery nourishment) can be fed.

Often the horse will be restricted to eating gruel until the esophagus is healed. Sometimes, intravenous fluids and nourishment are required during the time the horse cannot eat or drink.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Ball, DVM

Michael A. Ball, DVM, completed an internship in medicine and surgery and an internship in anesthesia at the University of Georgia in 1994, a residency in internal medicine, and graduate work in pharmacology at Cornell University in 1997, and was on staff at Cornell before starting Early Winter Equine Medicine & Surgery located in Ithaca, N.Y. He is also an FEI veterinarian and works internationally with the United States Equestrian Team.