Five horses presenting dysphagia were fed via an esophagostomy. In two cases, the ventral access was used while, in the others, the access was ventrolateral. In all cases, the tube tip was placed in the thoracic esophagus. A gruel composed of ground commercial pelleted feed, mineral supplement and water was given by the tube. Periesophagic infection and complications of the primary disease were the causes of the death of two horses. In the other cases the outcome was satisfactory. The tube was removed when ingestion could be resumed (after 15, 16 and 35 days) and all animals had a body condition equal or superior to that observed at admission. The esophageal opening healed by second intention.
esophagostomy; horse; nutrition; dysphagia; esophagus
