Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thoroughbred foal with trouble swallowing - what to know
By Clabough, D L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1991·Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Probable congenital esophageal stenosis in a thoroughbred foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 7-day-old Thoroughbred foal was brought in because it had a milky discharge coming from both nostrils. After some tests, the vet found that the foal had a narrowing of the esophagus, which was causing feeding problems. They placed a tube to help the foal eat and gradually allowed it to nurse from its mother. By day 29, the foal was doing well, eating normally, and was sent home with its owner without any signs of further issues.
People also search for: foal nasal discharge · esophageal stenosis in foals · how to feed a foal with feeding problems
Abstract
Esophageal stenosis was diagnosed in a 7-day-old Thoroughbred foal referred for evaluation of bilateral milky nasal discharge. Double-contrast radiography revealed concentric narrowing of the esophagus at the level of the fifth rib, overlying the base of the heart. Lateral displacement of the esophagus was not apparent. X-ray computed tomography of the cranial portion of the thorax confirmed normal cardiac and great vessel anatomy, ruling out vascular ring anomaly. A nasogastric tube was placed, extending past the stenosis and into the stomach, and the foal was fed mares' milk via this tube. On day 14, the foal was allowed to nurse the mare hourly and was made to stand, with the cranial half of its body elevated for 5 minutes after each feeding. On day 19, the foal was allowed to nurse ad libitum and eat hay and grain with the mare. Signs of regurgitation and aspiration were not apparent. On day 29, the foal was discharged to the owner.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1917663/