choke?

[L&M]

My hunter has been acting strangely -as we set off from the meet today he was making grunting and rasping noises as if he was struggling to breath, or trying to clear an obstruction. This went on for a couple of minutes until he started to cough and seemed to clear it through for the rest of the day. This also happened last Sat, however when hunting on Tues he did not do it all....

He does not cough at all at home or in excercise, is fed on haylage and dampened feed, and bedded on shavings, and has shown no indication of any repiratory issues before.

I travel to meets without a net, and this morning he had nothing to eat from 9.30am when I left for the meet.

Any ideas or vet job?

Thanks

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Hmmm thats a toughie .

Does he froth at the mouth ? is there much saliva ? is it mucusy ?

Can you feel his throat for any lumps when the episode happens ?

If it is worrying you I wouldn't hesitate to give your vet a call perhaps he could shed more light .

Hopefully its just a one off or twice off as the case may be .

Col x

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Have a look in his mouth by grabbing his tongue and pulling it to one side over his teeth. Is his mouth or breath stinky? Any obvious pockets of compacted feed to be seen? When did he last have the dentist? Could be just one of those things but it could be the start of something that will need vet help. Not experienced in this area but I'm thinking gutteral pouch if it's not tooth/tooth abscess problem. Could be a sinus infection. Or it might be caused by a totally different issue though, eg heart problems. I'd maybe ring the vets but hold on until it happens again, if it ever does.

 

[L&M]

Not typical of choke as no frothing, saliva or any lumps....

The only thing that did occur to me is that having had a livery leave, I am putting him in her old stable whilst waiting to load for hunting, and she left a bed down of bedding with eucalyptus oil in it - although I understand it is meant to be good for breathing, I am just wondering if he is reacting to it? I will leave him in his own stable next time we hunt and see if it makes any difference.

The first time it happened was very frightening as I thought he was choking to death, but the second time was less dramatic and just had to wait for him to clear his pipes. For the rest of the day he was fine so very puzzling - it is like he has got something stuck in his airway, but once cleared he is fine. If it had been a one of I wouldn't have thought any more of it, but to do it twice in a fortnight seems more than a co-incedence.......