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Impaction/obstruction of the oesophagus or 'choke' is the most common oesophageal disease of cattle and horses. Obstruction usuually occurs at the thoracic inlet, the base of the heart or the hiatus oesophagus of the diaphragm (i.e. the narrowest points). In horses, causes of choke include consumption of unsoaked sugarbeet, rapid ingestion of roughage (hay), indadequate mastication of food, or rarely the ingestion of a foreign body (e.g. corn cob). Horses that are poorly fed or have poor dentition are more prone to the condition.
Impaction/obstruction of the oesophagus or 'choke' is the most common oesophageal disease of cattle and horses. Obstruction usuually occurs at the thoracic inlet, the base of the heart or the hiatus oesophagus of the diaphragm (i.e. the narrowest points). In horses, causes of choke include consumption of unsoaked sugarbeet, rapid ingestion of roughage (hay), indadequate mastication of food, or rarely the ingestion of a foreign body (e.g. corn cob). Horses that are poorly fed or have poor dentition are more prone to the condition.
In cattle, choke usually occurs due to the consumption of large vegetables or fruit such as potatoes, turnips and corn cobs. Due to the indiscriminate nature of their feeding, cows may also develop choke due to ingestion of a foreign body.
In cattle, choke usually occurs due to the ingestion of a single solid vegetable or fruit such as a potato, turnip or corn cob.
====Horse====
====Horse====
Although the presentation of a horse with choke may be dramatic, it does not constitute an emergency. The typical sign of choke is dysphagia with regurgitation of food and saliva through the nostrils. Acute onset pain may manifest through alterations in posture such as an arched neck or abducted elbows. The horse may appear anxious, grunt frequently and make repeated attempts to swallow. If the condition has become long-standing, foetid breath may be apparent. If accompanied by pyrexia, this may indicate the development of aspiration pneumonia.
Although the presentation of a horse with choke may be dramatic, it does not constitute an emergency. The typical sign of choke is dysphagia with regurgitation of food and saliva through the nostrils. Acute onset pain may manifest through alterations in posture, such as an arched neck or abducted elbows. The horse may appear anxious, grunt frequently and make repeated attempts to swallow. If the condition has become long-standing, foetid breath may be apparent. If accompanied by pyrexia, this may indicate the development of aspiration pneumonia.
====Cattle====
====Cattle====
[[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>]]
Oesophageal obstruction in cattle is a more serious condition than in the horse. Obstruction 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 causes increased pressure on the diaphragm, reduced venous return to the heart and may lead to respiratory distress or asphyxia.
Oesophageal obstruction in cattle is a more serious condition than in the horse. Obstruction may result in a failure to eructate leading to the development of free-gas 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 causes increased pressure on the diaphragm, reduced venous return to the heart and may lead to respiratory distress or asphyxia. Grinding of the teeth, hypersalivation or protrusion of the tongue may also be seen.
===Diagnosis===
===Diagnosis===
==Treatment==
===Treatment===
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 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.
==Prognosis==
===Prognosis===
In the horse, the prognosis for a complete recovery after an episode of choke is good. Possible recurrence of an obstruction may be avoided by withholding dry food for 72 hours. Initially, fluids only should be offered, folllowed by gradual introduction of soft foods such as bran mash. Small amounts of hay or haylage may be added gradually. Following treatment of the impaction, it may be beneficial to perform an endoscopic exam of the oesophagus. This aids in identifying any areas of inflammation or ulceration that may require further treatment.
In the horse, the prognosis for a complete recovery after an episode of choke is good. Possible recurrence of an obstruction may be avoided by withholding dry food for 72 hours. Initially, fluids only should be offered, folllowed by gradual introduction of soft foods such as bran mash. Small amounts of hay or haylage may be added gradually. Following treatment of the impaction, it may be beneficial to perform an endoscopic exam of the oesophagus. This aids in identifying any areas of inflammation or ulceration that may require further treatment.
===References===
[[Category:Oesophagus_-_Pathology]][[Category:Cattle]][[Category:Horse]][[