Very Common
Less Common
Rare
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Choking or Gagging, Fluid (Clear, Frothy, or Green) Coming Out of Nostrils &/or Mouth
Summary
You notice your horse gagging or having liquid or mucus coming out of the nostrils and/or mouth. This is usually a sign of a blockage in the esophagus (esophageal obstruction) or inability to swallow, especially when both nostrils are profusely discharging clear or frothy fluid and feed material. Saliva is being produced but cannot be swallowed and is being regurgitated. It is important to know that similar-appearing signs may also rarely be caused by other conditions.
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Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours
your role
What To Do
Remove all feed and water, keep your horse calm, and call your vet. Assess your horse's general health with the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) if possible, paying attention to rectal temperature, the amount of coughing, and looking for swelling of neck, under jaw or throat, and noting the appearance of the nasal discharge. Share your findings and concerns with your vet. If transporting horse, be sure to allow it to drop its head and clear material from its airway.What Not To Do
Do not try to give anything orally or attempt to treat your horse in any way. If you do, you may cause your horse to breathe material into their lungs (aspirate).Do not force a coughing horse or one with nasal discharge to stand with its head elevated. It may cause inhalation of material into the lungs and predispose to pneumonia.
Do not assume this problem will resolve on its own. Extensive esophageal damage can result if a horse is left choking for a significant period of time.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
your vet's role
Your vet will determine the cause of this sign, starting with a careful history and physical examination. Other diagnostics that may be helpful include passage of a nasogastric tube and endoscopy, among others.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- What was the horse's most recent meal?
- Does the horse seem able to eat or swallow now?
- When did you first notice this?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- What signs are you seeing now?
- Have you ever noticed this happen before?
- How long ago was the horse's most recent dental exam?
- Do you know if the horse has had any dental issues?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Less Common
Rare
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Small Intestinal Strangulating Conditions
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Esophageal Stricture
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Botulism
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Respiratory Conditions, Generally
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Foal or Newborn, Cleft Palate or Lip
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Neoplasia, Tumor or Cancer, Stomach
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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, EPM
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Esophagitis & Other Conditions of Esophagus, Generally
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Equine Herpes Myeloencephalitis, EHM
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Equine Grass Sickness
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Megaesophagus
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Pharyngeal Dysfunction
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Temporomandibular Joint Disease, TMJ
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Less Common