Pharyngitis
Definition.It is an inflammation of the pharynx and it is characterized clinically by:
1- Coughing. 2- Painful swallowing.
3- Lack of appetite. 4- Regurgitation through the nostrils.
5- Drooling of saliva may occur.
Etiology:
It May occur as a secondary condition in some specific diseases as strangles in horses, oral necrobacillesis, Actinobacillosis, pharyngeal anthrax in dogs and horses.Upper respiratory tract diseases may involve the pharynx and cause pharyngitis.
Ingestion of foreign bodies (cereals-awns- may lodge in the pharynx) all these cause local ulceration and irritation.
Ingestion of irritant chemicals or hot or cold substances that cause stomatitis & pharyngitis.
Clinical findings:
1- The animals may refuse to eat or drink.2- If it eats, swallowing will be with evident pain.
3- Manual compression of the throat causes paroxysmal cough.
4- Opening of the jaw for examination is restricted.
5- Mucopurulent nasal discharge, sometimes blood is evident.
6- Regurgitation of food through nostrils .
7- Affected animals often stand with head extended, drool saliva and make frequent jaw movements.
8- If local swelling is severe there may be obstruction of respiration.
9- Regional lymph nodes are enlarged.
10-Acute onset with high fever.
Treatment:
I-Primary disease must be treated first, usually by the use of antibiotics or sulphonamides.2-In horses, drugs may be mixed with syrup, as a topical spray. Potassium chlorate could be added to drinking water (40-50 gram).