Esophageal obstruction in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): a retrospectivestudy of 44 cases (2006–2013)

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to report the types, causes, and clinical findings of esophageal obstructions in water buffaloes and to verify the role of radiography in diagnosis as well as the evaluation of the proposed treatment management and outcome after treatment. Forty-four buffaloes with esophageal obstruction were used in the study. Esophageal obstruction was significantly more frequent in females than males. Buffaloes at 1-3 years of age were significantly more liable to the disease than those of other ages. Complete obstruction was more frequent than partial obstruction. Intraluminal obstruction was more prevalent than extraluminal. Obstruction at the cervical portion was more frequent than those at pharyngeal region and cardia. Radiography was confirmative in 41 buffaloes (93%). Manipulative treatment was successful in 6 buffaloes (13%) and surgical intervention for cervical esophageal obstructions was carried out by exposure of the cervical esophagus (n = 3), cervical esophagatomy (n = 25), or surgical correction of periesophageal cellulitis (n = 2), while surgical treatment of thoracic esophageal obstruction was carried out via laparorumenotomy (n = 8). In conclusion, early diagnosis, proper application of manipulative or surgical interventions, and postoperative follow-up are the fundamental factors for successful outcomes of esophageal obstruction in water buffaloes.

A retrospective study of choke (oesophageal obstruction) in 64 one‐hump Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia

“…Oesophageal obstruction has been described in cattle, 1 horse, 2 dromedary camel calf 3 and water buffalo. 4 It has also been described occasionally in sheep and goats. 5 In cattle, food items such as potato, beet root, radish, corn cobs and watermelon rind, without sufficient mastication, have been associated with oesophageal obstruction.…”

“…Oesophageal obstruction has been described in cattle, 1 horse, 2 dromedary camel calf 3 and water buffalo 4 . It has also been described occasionally in sheep and goats 5 .…”

Esophageal Obstruction in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Resulting from the Ingestion of Potato Tubers

“…Like cattle, buffaloes frequently suffer from esophageal obstruction, as they may swallow feed without appropriate chewing. Most veterinarians use a surgical intervention in such cases by removing the cause of the obstruction directly from the esophagus or by opening the rumen and removing it if it is present in the last part of the esophagus [3,5,[7][8][9] despite surgical intervention increases costs and complications. Also, the use of traditional solid probes may cause severe complications when used roughly.…”

“…Esophageal obstruction (Choke) is an emergency clinical condition in large ruminants caused by largesized foodstuff, foreign bodies, trichobezoars (composed of animal hair and vegetable fiber), or esophageal granulomas [1][2][3]. Esophageal obstructions commonly occur at the pharynx, the cranial aspect of the cervical esophagus, or the thoracic inlet [4].…”

“…*Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; E-mail: mshokry@cu.edu.eg Diagnosis depends on the history of eating particular foodstuff and signs such as salivation, restlessness, retching, external palpation, and tympany, which may be fatal [5]. Treatment comprises external percutaneous esophageal massage, the passage of stomach tube or probing, endoscopic removal [6], and surgical intervention [3]. The present field study reports about the clinical management of mass cases of esophageal obstruction in buffaloes without using unnecessary invasive surgical intervention.…”