Impaction of the Oesophagus

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Upper Block Lower Block
Acute vomiting Gradual intestinal distention
Dehydration Mucosal destruction
Alkalosis Toxaemia
Pre-renal azotaemia Peritonitis


  • Commonly in cattle, horses and dogs.
  • The most common sites of obstruction are the thoracic inlet, the base of the heart, and the hiatus oesophagus of the diaphragm, i.e.: the narrowest points.

Clinical Signs

Horse

  • With foods that expand in oesophagus such as haylage etc.
  • Also seen with whole apples.

Cattle

Impaction of a bovine oesophagus (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))
  • May eat a spherical object that obstructs the oesophagus mostly in anterior 1/3rd of oesophagus and can often be palpated in live animal.
  • Potatoes can be a cheap source of feed and if fed whole can become stuck in oesophagus.
  • If obstruction occurs further down can be difficult to diagnose and remove.
  • Cattle develop bloat when oesophagus obstructed.
  • Apples fairly easily to dislodge.

Dog

  • Usually with small bones
  • Animals that feel protective of feed may gulp food down quickly, particularly if given small chops / knuckle bones.
  • Knobbly shape may make bone lodge in oesophagus, particularly just anterior to heart.
  • Very difficult to dislodge (because of shape).
  • Pressure necrosis occurs very quickly around it and can erode through oesophagus within about 24 hours.
  • Small bone may also lodge in duodenum if they pass through the stomach.