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[[Image:Bovimpaction.gif|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>Impaction of a bovine oesophagus (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
 
[[Image:Bovimpaction.gif|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>Impaction of a bovine oesophagus (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
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Oesophageal obstruction in cattle is a more serious condition than in the horse. Obstruction leads to failure to eructatate which may lead to bloat. The clinical signs are similar to those seen in the horse including ptyalism, coughing, arching of the neck, dysphagia and nasal discharge.
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Oesophageal obstruction in cattle is a more serious condition than in the horse. Obstructin may result in a failure to eructate, leading to the development of bloat. The clinical signs are similar to those seen in the horse including ptyalism, coughing, arching of the neck, dysphagia and nasal discharge. The expanded rumen may cause pressure on the diaphragm, reducing venous return to the heart causing respiratory distress or asphyxia.
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==Treatment==
 
==Treatment==
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Treatment is usually conservative as most obstructions resolve spontaneously or with medical treatment. Treatment comprises the use of sedatives to calm the horse and spasmolytics to reduce oesophageal muscle spasm.
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In the horse, treatment is usually conservative as most obstructions resolve spontaneously or with medical treatment. Treatment comprises the use of sedatives to calm the horse and spasmolytics to reduce oesophageal muscle spasm. If conservative treatment fails to resolve the problem, oesophageal lavage may be attempted. Due to the risk of aspiration, lavage is only used in horses where medical management was unsuccessful.
    
In cattle, rumenal bloat caused by the obstruction is an emergency and requires immediate treatment. This is achieved by trocharisation through the left paralumbar fossa. Once the bloat has been relieved, the obstruction may be manually broken down via percutaneous massage, or may resolve spontaneously due to the large volume of saliva present.
 
In cattle, rumenal bloat caused by the obstruction is an emergency and requires immediate treatment. This is achieved by trocharisation through the left paralumbar fossa. Once the bloat has been relieved, the obstruction may be manually broken down via percutaneous massage, or may resolve spontaneously due to the large volume of saliva present.
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