choking on hay?

[roxie901]

My last hope for 2005 racing had to be put down yesterday. My 2 year old had just started light training- ie broke to ride but not galloping. I got a phone call from the trainer on Saturday saying that she had choked on hay that morning and that the vet was coming back out later to try to move the impaction down. I was present for the second vet visit and he seemed to think the impaction had moved down enough to allow the trainer to watch the filly at the farm- on meds of course. I got the phone call yesterday that my filly had been unable to swallow water or mash since then and she was put down yesterday.
I have never had a horse choke on hay- I am thinking there must have been something underlying this issue?
Any thoughts? anyone else with a similar episode?

[CS]

Very sorry for your loss. Yes, I have heard of horses choking on hay/grass. Most recently I knew of one who choked on grass - got too excited about eating and choked. After about 12 hours he was moved to the hospital for evaluation and eventual surgery to remove the blockage. In your case if it had not resolved itself overnight it too was most likely a surgical case. The longer the blockage is in place, the more damage is done to the esophagus and tissue dealth can occur - much like an intestinal impaction. Also, the area becomes stretched out, making future choke an issue. After a certain period of time it cannot resolve itself, as the muscles that would push the food down basically lock up. Again, very sorry for your loss.

[madelyn]

Oh that is So Sad.... sorry to hear about it... I got a gelding OTTB in for retraining a year ago, he got so excited about his grain that he choked... got the vet within the hour, she flushed the blockage, etc., warned about the stretching thing, but here he is a year later ready to sell now and is just fine, but if you don't GET ON THAT right away they sure can die....

[BenB]

Just very sad for your loss

Ben

[henthorn]

I'm so sorry, Roxie. I know how hard it is to lose one, when you have so many hopes and dreams for them. I've lost two unraced 2yo's over the years--one broke her neck playing in the pasture, and one died of a ruptured heart valve. And I have heard of esophageal impactions like your filly experienced being deadly in animals and humans.

[roxie901]

thanks for the support. This has been a really tough year- my first year into the horse racing world. I think there really isn't much that hasn't gone wrong now that I have lost one. From breeding to training to racing injuries to this now..... I have never had any serious injuries or health problems at my own farm. It is hard to send my babies out from my farm- and even more so now with everything else.
I cannot fault my trainer as he really did do what he thought was right given the advice of the vet. He called me crying after putting her down. My filly was one of his favorites.

[skeenan]

Oh, how heartbreaking... I am so sorry for your loss...

[EO]

Roxie, been there, done that with an 8 mo. old filly last December. She choked 3 times, the last one we put her down. Cost over $4,000. Still making payments on it. You did the right thing. There was damage to our filly's esophagus. So sorry. In the future, if there is a 2nd time, we will euthanize. Kathie King

[mary syers]

EO,
Consider EPM as a diagnosis if you have a horse that chokes repeatedly. It's one of the lesser known symptoms. Mary Syers

[Kristie]

Roxi. My deepest condolences. It's so heartbreaking to get that far and see all your hard work and dreams end so tragically. Guess all of us have had our share of heartbreak - I lost my first mare and foal and it tooke me forever to get over it. I know what you mean about hating to relinquish your control to someone else. My first homebreds are at Bowie and doing well after a rather dismal start at the training farm. One has had his first start and acquitted himself well coming in 6th out of 12 (if he'd run in an earlier race with the same conditions and run the same time, he'd have been second) and the other one should start in a couple months. Have 2 2yearold fillies cooling their heels in my backyard as I don't have the money to get them broke yet, let alone into training. At any rate, good luck with the next one. Kristie

[roxie901]

Thanks everyone for your empathy and advice. I was wondering about EPM myself. I thought that something else was going on to cause the choke- a muscular disease or a stricture/ growth in the GI tract. We decided against an autopsy but in hindsight maybe we should have tried to "donate her body to science" at one of the state vet schools.
So Kristie- I will still be at Colonial Downs but without any horses running or stabled. I am going to get myself back together for Virginia Derby Day. So I will check for you then.

[Shammy Davis]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know this year is a wash for you. Words don't do justice to what you are feeling now, but try your best to bounce back. Sincerely, Shammy