CHOKING.
This term applies to obstruction of the gullet as well as that of the windpipe.
Cause.—Too rapid eating, from which pieces of carrots or other roots, or a quantity of dry food becomes lodged in the gullet. Although obstructions of the windpipe caused by drenching, or from food entering the lungs, may not prove fatal for several days, an obstruction in the gullet will kill a horse in a very short time.
Treatment.—No time should be lost in attempting to remove the obstruction from the gullet. It may be dislodged by gently manipulating the gullet. If unsuccessful in dislodging the obstruction in this manner, use a probang, an instrument made for this purpose, or inject Sweet or Olive Oil into the gullet with a hypodermic syringe, or give hypodermic injections of Arecoline. In administering drenches with the object of dislodging obstructions in the gullet, you must remember that the liquids used are apt to go the wrong way, that is to say, enter the lungs, and give rise to lung complications, as lung fever, bronchitis, etc. Obstructions of solid substance in the windpipe generally cause death very shortly. When liquids enter the lungs, death is not so apt to occur, as the animal may live several days, and sometimes even get well. They should be treated the same as for lung fever.