Conservative treatment of oesophageal stricture in five foals.

The research focuses on the non-invasive treatment of oesophageal stricture in five young foals, tested with different food consistencies over a three to four-week period, and it’s recommended for early stage constrictions not involving the deep layers of the oesophageal wall.

Study Design and Participants

• The study investigated a non-invasive method to treat oesophageal stricture in five foals or young horses. Three of these were less than four weeks old while the remaining two were under six months.
• Oesophageal obstruction was a common characteristic in all the studied foals.

Evaluation and Treatment Approach

• All foals had oesophageal strictures of different characteristics in the upper section of the oesophagus, known as the rostral cervical oesophagus.
• In one case where the stricture was complicated by a severe form of inhalation pneumonia, euthanasia was chosen over any treatment.
• Another initial treatment approach tried was bougienage, a medical procedure involving the insertion of a thin tube to clear blockages, while the foal was under general anaesthesia. However, this was unsuccessful.

Treatment Outcome and Recommendations

• Over a period of three to four weeks, the remaining four foals were gradually introduced to firmer and more textured food, starting with only liquid food.
• This non-invasive approach was shown to be effective in these cases and is therefore recommended in the early stages of stricture development, as well as in strictures that do not affect the deeper layers of the oesophagus.