Esophageal obstruction in horses: a retrospective study of 34 cases

The major purpose of this investigation was to describe the causes, possibl e complications, and prognoses of horses with esophageal obstruction. Of 34 cases presenting with esophageal obstruction, 28 cases were due to impacti on of ingesta. Obstruction due to pre-existing esophageal disease occurred in 4 horses with megaesophagus, in 1 horse with stricture in the upper thir d of the esophagus, and in 1 horse with esophageal diverticulum. There was no significant difference in the contamination of the trachea between horse s that subsequently developed aspiration pneumonia and those that did not. The duration of esophageal obstruction prior to admission was significantly longer in horses that developed aspiration pneumonia (median 18, range 2-4 8 h) than in those horses that did not (median 4, range 0.5-48 h). Although the obstruction was relieved in all 34 horses, 4 were euthanized because o f recurring obstruction due to megaesophagus (n = 2), esophageal diverticul um (n = 1), and esophageal stricture (n = 1).