Trauma of pharynx from objects swallowed; from whip or other
instrument in choking; lesions. Symptoms: swelling; rapidly extending;
dysphagia; salivation; retching; dyspnœa; roaring; asphyxia.
Treatment: as for pharyngitis; open pouch, suture laceration; use
antiseptics; liquid diet.
Laceration of the velum palati has been already referred to, and the
remaining walls of the pharynx sometimes suffer in the same way and from
identical causes. Pins, needles, and other sharp pointed bodies taken
with the food sometimes perforate the walls and determine an advancing
ulceration which furnishes a way for their escape externally in the
region of the throat. In other cases a rigid staff, a whip, or even a
probang introduced to overcome choking, is forced through the walls of
the pharynx forming a pouch for the accumulation and septic fermentation
of ingesta, and extensive ulcerative and gangrenous lesions.
_Lesions and Symptoms._ These depend mainly on the extent of the
laceration. If there is a mere abrasion, superficial laceration or prick
of the mucosa, it determines a prompt inflammation, with exudation which
covers or closes the wound and a speedy healing may ensue. When,
however, the whole thickness of the mucosa has been extensively
lacerated and a pouch has been formed beneath it, it becomes filled with
decomposing mucus and ingesta, and the resulting septic products
determine ulceration, abscess, or gangrene. The result is too often a
general and fatal septic infection.
In the milder forms there are only the common indications of a moderate
pharyngitis. In the more severe form, the throat swells at first on the
lacerated side and later all around. This swelling soon fills the
intermaxillary space and extends over the face and the entire head. From
the first, deglutition is extremely difficult or impossible, liquids are
returned through the nose and saliva flows abundantly from the mouth.
Retching is not uncommon and saliva mixed with alimentary matters is
discharged by the nose (solipeds) or mouth (other animals). The swelling
of throat and head has a doughy, œdematous feeling, it is very tender,
and soon causes rattling, wheezing breathing, roaring, dyspnœa and
asphyxia.
_Necropsy_ shows the general œdematous exudate, the laceration of the
pharyngeal walls, and the collection of debris and pus in the lacerated
cavity. The pus may have extended between the muscles following the
course of the gullet and trachea as far as the chest. Extensive patches
of necrosis may also be shown. _Treatment._ In the slighter cases the
ordinary treatment for catarrhal pharyngitis is demanded. In the more
severe the lesions are so redoubtable and their progress so rapid that a
fatal result is virtually inevitable. As a desperate resort the septic
pouch may be opened from without, its contents removed, the pharyngeal
wound sutured if possible, and a thorough irrigation with antiseptics
(acetate of aluminium solution) employed at frequent intervals to check
if possible the septic process. The animal should be fed with well
boiled milk or other liquid which will not add to the fermentation, and
this may be given through a stomach tube, or by the rectum when
deglutition is impossible.