Fact Sheet Fact Sheet ChokNon-Steroidale Anti- Choke is a relatively common condition seen in horses and ponies and is typically caused by obstruction of the oesophagus (food pipe)Inflammatory with food; occasionally a foreign Drugs body can be involved e.g. wood or plastic. FortunatelyNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are probably many cases of choke resolve quickly and spontaneouslysome of the most widely used drugs used in both human and only cases in which the obstruction lasts for longerand equine medicine. They act to reduce pain by inhibiting than 30 minutes are likely to require veterinary assistancthe einflammatory. pathways after injury. Common NSAIDs It is important to note that this is not the same as the used in human medicine include aspirin, paracetamol life-threatening condition in humans, where the term and ibuprofen. NSAIDs used in equine medicine include “choke” refers to blockage of the windpipe rather thanphenylbutazone the (bute), meloxicam, suxibuzone and flunixin. oesophagus. This difference means that unlike humans, horses with choke can still breathe. NSAIDs may be administered by injection, orally (as a powder, granules or paste given in feed or by mouth) or in a cream, ointment, gel or lotion to apply to the surface of inflamed tissues such as the skin.

Clinical signs: • difficulty/repeated attempts at swallowing • stretching/arching of the neck • coughing NSAIDs are a benefit to the welfare of the equine • food & saliva discharging from the nose population through the control of pain and inflammation. • drooling • disinterest in food REGULAThe term R‘non-steroidal’ DENTAL EXAMIN is usedATIONS to distinguish AND these • occasionally a lump may be seen or felt TREdrugsATMENT from C steroidAN REDU anti-inflammatoriesCE THE RISK OF (cortisone).CHOKE on the left side of the neck. They act by inhibiting a class of enzymes called cyclooxygenase (COX). COX enzymes are involved If you suspect your horse is suffering from KEY POINTSin the inflammatory process which is responsible for choke it is important to prevent your horse inflammation, pain and fever. eating as this will make the blockage worse • Don’t panic! Choke is rarely life-threatening and and more difficult to clear. many cases will resolve spontaneously. Pain can be very distressing but it is nature’s way Key poINtS: If the obstruction doesn’t clear quickly of its • Seekof v informingeterinary theadvice individual if the cthathok somethinge lasts more is wrong.than ● administer NSAIDs at the correct dose and own accord then veterinary assistance must 30 miInhibitingnutes and pain w hilewhilst waiting not fully for understanding the vet remov ethe all frequency, as directed by your vet; be sought. There are a number of steps foodcause to pr ecanvent be your extremely horse edangerous.ating and wo Forrsening example, your vet can take to help to confirm and treat the obstadministrationruction to a lame horse that might have a ● ensure that all of the medication is consumed/ the problem. hair-line fracture could potentially be disastrous. This administered; • Following an episode of choke it is worth monitoring is why authorities such as the FEI and the British ● do not allow other animals to have access to Horses and ponies with dental problems your horse’s respiratory rate (normal <16 breaths/ Horseracing Authority are strict in not allowing horses medicated feed; (that prevent them grinding their food min) and rectal temperature for several days. properly), individuals that bolt their food too to compete whilst under NSAID treatment. ● if the condition recurs, seek veterinary advice quickly and those fed dry pelleted or cubed • Arrange regular dental check-ups for your horse before recommencing NSAID treatment unless to reduce the risk of choke as a result of a painful feeds are all at increased risk. The COX enzyme type 1 also performs important otherwise directed by your vet; mouth. roles within the gut and the kidney so high doses or ● immediately stop treatment and consult your vet if prolonged use can lead to side effects. the patient deteriorates in any way.

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Contra-indications types of NSAID by and warningsCho ke active ingredient Choke is a relatively common condition seen in horses ● Do not use and ponies and is typically caused by obstruction of the Phenylbutazone phenylbutazone oesophagusor (food pipe) with food; occasionally a foreign (bute): available suxibuzone in horses body can be involved e.g. wood or plastic. Fortunately as an injection, intended for human paste or powder. consumption. Treatedman y cases of choke resolve quickly and spontaneously It is used horses should neverand only cases in which the obstruction lasts for longer principally to be slaughtered forthan 30 minutes are likely to require veterinary assistance. treat/manage human consumption.It is important to note that this is not the same as the lameness and The horse must life-threatening condition in humans, where the term injuries. It is have been declared effective and as not intended for“cho ke” refers to blockage of the windpipe rather than the inexpensive. human consumption oesophagus. This difference means that unlike humans, Suxibuzone: under national horse horses with choke can still breathe. granules that are passport legislation. converted to bute ● Do not administer by the liver; has a to animals with special palatable kidney, liver or heart sugar coating disorders, unless and which may specifically directed reduce the side to do so by your vet. effect risk of Be careful where stomach ulcers. there is the possibility Flunixin: of stomach/intestinal Clinical signs: available as difficulty/repeated attemptsulceration at or bleeding, • injection, paste or swallowing or hypersensitivity to the product. granules. It is a powerful pain-killer and is also used • stretching/arching● of theDo notnec givek to foals unless under in the treatment of toxaemia. veterinary supervision, especially in very Meloxicam: is available as an injection or syrup for • coughing young foals (less than 12 weeks old). the treatment of lameness and colic pain. The syrup Ensure accurate assessment of body • food & saliva discharging from the nose is palatable and has a short withdrawal time before weight and closely monitor response to competition. • drooling treatment. Carprofen: injection and granules for the treatment • disinterest in food● A blood sample may be required to REGULAR DENTALof lameness/injury.EXAMINATIONS It AND is useful for treating pain in check liver and kidney function before, • occasionally a lump may be seen or felt TREATMENT CAN REDUdonkeysCE THE as itR isIS Knot O brokenF CHO KdownE and excreted as during and after treatment. on the left side of the neck. rapidly as other NSAIDs. ● Avoid use in dehydrated animals as there Ketoprofen: injection for the relief of pain in injuries If you suspect your horse isis ansu fincreasedfering from risk of kidney KEYfailure. POINTS and colic. choke it is important to preOldervent yanimalsour hor seare at greater risk. eating as this will make the blockage worse Firocoxib: injection and paste for the treatment of ● After continuous use, or when •usedDo atn ’t panic! Choke is rarely life-threatening and and more difficult to clear. arthritis and lameness. high doses, regular monitoring of thema ny cases will resolve spontaneously. Vedaprofen: oral gel for the treatment of soft tissue If the obstruction doesn’t chorselear qui includingckly of bloodits testing for• anySeek veterinary advice if the choke lasts more than and surgical trauma and inflammation. own accord then veterinaradversey assistance effects m ustis recommended. 30 minutes and while waiting for the vet remove all be sought. There are a number of steps food to prevent your horse eating and worsening your vet can take to help to confirm and treat the obstruction the problem. For further information contact your local XLEquine practice: • Following an episode of choke it is worth monitoring Horses and ponies with dental problems your horse’s respiratory rate (normal <16 bre aths/ (that prevent them grinding their food min) and rectal temperature for several days. properly), individuals that bolt their food too quickly and those fed dry pelleted or cubed • Arrange regular dental check-ups for your horse XLEquine is a novel and exciting initiative conceived from within feeds are all at increasedthe veterinaryrisk. profession made up of independently owned,to reduce the risk of choke as a result of a painful progressive veterinary practices located throughout themouth. United Kingdom, members of XLEquine are committed to working together for the benefit of all their clients. © XLVet UK Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced without www.xlequine.co.uk prior permission of the publisher. XLEquine - Better Together XLEquine - Better Together. Go to www.xlequine.co.uk XLVets Equine - Better Together. Go to www.xlvets.co.uk