A portion of carrot, turnip or potato swallowed too quickly of the wrong proportions can occasionally cause choke, dry feed swallowed too quickly by a greedy feeder is another potential cause. Inflammation or narrowing of the oesophagus as well as dysfunction are potential 'non-feed' related causes.
Speed of intake, size and dry matter content of boluses and swelling properties of feedingstuff are all factors involved in the occurrence of oesophageal obstruction ("Choke").
With this condition there is difficulty or a complete inability to swallow with profuse salivation and spasm of the oesophagus. Veterinary attention is required in the majority of cases.