Choke Choke

Mark Tabachnik

ChokeChoke

Impaction of usually food material, in oesophagus

Coarse mix, hay, shavings, carrots, unsoaked sugar beet

Inadequate chewing secondary to a dental problem

Clinical signsClinical signs

Oral and nasal regurgitation of feed and saliva

Frequent, ineffectual attempts at swallowing

Stretching of neck and retching

May be able to palpate impacted oesophagus on left side of neck

Take home messageTake home message

Stay calm – horse can breathe – will not die

Inform owner Call vet - ?treatment Remove food and

water Leave quietly in stable Clean material from

nose

Anatomy of the pharynxAnatomy of the pharynx

ChokeChoke

nostrils

mouth oesophagus

windpipelarynx

“voice-box”

Treatment of ChokeTreatment of Choke

Leave horse aloneProbably cough and clear without treatmentOften cleared by time vet arrives

Treatment of ChokeTreatment of Choke

Sedate Stomach tube gently to

obstruction Gently “wash” away

the obstruction Pass tube to stomach Analgesia / antibiotics /

muscle relaxants

Prevention Prevention

Have teeth checked Removal of sharp

enamel points / improves chewing ability

Prevention Prevention

Add more water to concentrate feed

Soak sugar beet Add less water to

concentrate feed Slow eating – large

stones / bricks

Prevention Prevention

Remove stress / competition at feeding time

Soak hay / feed haylage