Is Your Horse Choking? Learn How to Identify-and Handle-A Choke Emergency

Your horse shows no interest in food. He's coughing, heaving, and stretching his neck downward. What's up?  he may be suffering from "Choke", a condition in which his esophagus is blocked, usually by feed material.  He can't cough up the wad, nor can he swallow it.  (He can breathe, but he can't swallow). 



Signs of Choke
You may see one or several of these symptoms:

• Coughing and/or retching
• Drooling/Salivating
• Feed material coming out of nostrils.
• Head/neck stretched, generally downward; rarely, you may see a bulge on the neck's left side (where the esophagus is located).
• No interest in food.
• Distress, such as a worried look, pawing, and/or head shaking; choke can appear almost Colic-like.

What To Do

• Call your veterinarian Immediately-choke is a 9-1-1 Emergency!
• Ask your vet if they would like you to administer Banamine (to reduce inflammation) and a sedative (to encourage your horse to drop his head, reducing the risk of him aspirating feed into his lungs). And DO discuss with your vet-BEFORE an emergency occurs-whether you should keep such meds on hand and how to administer them.
• Don't try to feed your horse anything.  Remove feed and hay, so he can't inadvertently add to the blockage.
• Don't panic, which could panic your horse. Take a deep breath and focus on keeping him quiet, such as in a darkened stall, until your vet arrives.

What Your Vet Will Do
Your veterinarian will likely:

• Examine, then sedate your horse (if you haven't already), give him Banamine (if you haven't), plus an antispasmodic, such as butylscopolamine.  The latter will relax the esophagus and may enable your horse to resolve the choke on his own, by coughing up the food wad or swallowing it.
• If the antispasmodic doesn't resolve the problem, your vet will probably pass a stomach tube through your horse's nostril to physically push the wad down into your horse's stomach.
• If the wad still won't bodge, your vet may try to soften and break it up by gently flowing a stream of water on it (called "lavage"), taking care to keep the horse's head lowered so any back flush exits the horse's nostrils, rather than seeping into his lungs, which could cause aspiration pneumonia.
• In rare cases, a choke may require surgery (such as when an entire apple is swallowed and can't be budged via typical means).

Aftercare
Your vet will likely prescribe drugs such as a broad-spectrum antibiotic to protect your horse from pneumonia, as well as an anti-inflammatory to soothe his esophagus.  You'll be instructed to soak your horse's feed for several days to soften it, making it easier for him to swallow.


What Causes Choke?

• Lack of dental care (and/or missing teeth), especially in senior horses, which can result in improper chewing.
• Feeding whole apples or hay cubes, which can lodge in the esophagus
• Bolting Feed
• Dehydration
• Lack of water near feed source
• Intravenous injections in which drugs have leached out of the vein, causing scarring/narrowing of the esophagus (located on the left side of a horse's neck, near his jugular).
• Injury to the esophageal area that causes swelling/difficulty swallowing

Prevention

• Provide regular dental care (at least anually-you may need bi-annual care in growing and senior horses)
• Consider a complete feed if your horse has problems chewing. (Avoid feeding hay cubes in such cases).
• Feed 3 to 4 small meals per day, if possible, to reduce quantity at each feeding.
• Put a salt block or a brick in your horse's feeder to slow down his eating.
• Soak hay and feed before feeding to make it softer and easier for him to swallow.  And make sure your horse has clean, fresh water near his feed.
• Check your feed's expiration date.  Old feed may get dry and crumbly, even moldy.  If your horse lacks nearby water and/or has dental problems, old feed may cause blockage.
• If you feed in a herd setting, and your horse bolts his feed for fear he'll lose it to a more dominant horse, feed him (or the dominant horse) separately.

8 Foods That Fight Fat

Want to lose weight as you chow down? Guess What? Your supermarket is filled with foods that studies show have lipid-melting powers to help melt fat and keep you slim.  Stock up on these fat-fighting super bites, and you'll be trimmer even as you indulge.
Read on to discover the eight foods that deserve a permanent spot in your fridge!

1. ALMONDS.  These yummy nuts are high in alpha-linoeic acid, which can accelerate your metabolism of fats.  According to a study in the International Journal of Obesity, Dieters who ate 3 ounces of almonds daily slashed their weight and body-mass index by 18%, while those who skipped the nuts reduced by just 11%. A serving of 12 Almonds per day, all at once or nibble throughout the day, will satisfy your nut quota.
2. BERRIES.  These are nature's candy-and also your body's best friend!  Strawberries, Rasberries, and other vitamin-C spiked fruit can supercharge your workout, helping you to burn up to 30% more fat, research from Arizona State University has found.  Buy them frozen so you'll always have some on hand, regardless of whether berries are in season.
3. CINNAMON. Adding 1/4 teaspoon may prevent an insulin spike-an uptick that tells your body to store fat.  Sprinkle it on your morning cereal, coffee, or yogurt.
4. MUSTARD.  It's heaven on a soft pretzel, but Mustard may also be a weight loss wonder!  Turmeric, the spice that gives mustard it's color, may slow the growth of fat tissues, A study in the Journal of Endocrinology finds.  Use it on sandwiches instead of mayo, sprinkle turmeric on Cauliflower prior to roasting, or try it on Tuna salad.
5. ORANGES.  This citrus fruit, which contains fat-blasting compounds known as Flavones, deserves to be your main squeeze.  Women who ate the most flavones had a much lower increase in body fat over a 14 year period, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutritition notes.  Eat fresh Orange segments to get the best benefit, or squeeze fresh orange juice (including the pulp) into your glass.
6. SOYBEANS.  Soybeans are rich in choline, a compound that blocks the absorption of fat and breaks down fatty deposits.  But if breast cancer runs in your family, Experts suggest you talk to your Doc before adding soy to your diet.
7. SWEET POTATOES. Research finds that these colorful spud's high-fiber content means they keep your insulin steadier than their white brethren, which means less fat packed on your hips.
8.  SWISS CHEESE. Calcium-rich foods reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown, and Swiss has more calcium than many of its cheesy peers.  Choose the reduced-fat variety, and slip it into your sandwich, put it on top of high-fiber crackers or use it for a healthier grilled cheese.

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