LECTURE XL. 

 CHOKE. 



Explanation. — Choking', as ordinarily understood, is an ob- 

 struction in any portion of the pharnyx or esophagus. In horses 

 this is more commonly caused by dry food, and this usually oc- 

 curs in the case of horses which are rapid eaters. Cows more 

 frequently choke on pieces of roots, pumpkins and old bones. 

 Those cases where a long section of the esophagus is packed with 

 soft, dry food, are especially difficult to handle successfully. 



FIG. 61. FOR RELIEVING CHOKE. (M. H. R.) 

 lade of No. 10 or 12 wire. 



Symptoms. — The horse or cow stops eating suddenly and 

 makes ineffectual eft'orts to swallow, then there are spasmodic 

 actions of the neck muscles. When the animal attempts to drink 

 the water returns partly through the nose. If the obstruction is 

 of considerable size and along the neck portion of the esophagus. 

 It may usually be seen or felt. There is usually a profuse flow of 

 saliva, and particularly in the case of cattle an involuntary chew- 

 ing action. If the choking occurs in the thoracic portion, then 

 medicines or liquids are swallowed in small quantities without 

 difficulty until the esophagus is full and return h}- the mouth, the 

 animal being apt to cough. There is usually marked dejection 

 and distress, with an appearance of anxiety. Food and water 

 are ri'fnsed. Cattle frequently bloat. 



Prevention. — Roots should either be sliced or pulped. It 

 should be borne in mind that cows usually choke when eating hur- 

 riedly especially when attempting to swallow something under 

 threatened attack from some other member of the herd. Horses 

 choking on dry feed arc almost invariably rapid caters and for 

 such horses it is well to avoid dry bran. The grain, especially 



