Guttural Pouch Disease
Vet, Horse First Aid

From: Equestrian and Horse | Horse Ailments

See also: Tack | Clipping | Rugs | Worming | Care

Guttural Pouch Disease
This is a infection of the Guttural Pouch in the horse. There are three main Guttural Pouch Diseases each one can have devastating consequences, affected horses can suffer from poor health, depression and if left untreated, some cases can even lead to death. If you suspect that your has a Guttural Pouch infection then your vet should be contacted immediately for treatment to avoid any unnecessary suffering and help to prevent permanent damage to the area.

The Guttural Pouch
There are two Guttural Pouches each one is filled with and controls the flow of air around each of the auditory tubes. The Guttural Pouch opening is a small split towards the back and on either side of the Pharynx.

Function Of The Guttural Pouch

Regulate the air pressure of the eardrum.
Act as a blood cooling chamber.

The Three Types Of Guttural Pouch Disease:

Guttural Pouch Tympany
This occurs in foals and affects fillies more than in colts. Air enters the Guttural Pouch via the auditory canal but is unable to leave via the Pharynx. This causes the Guttural Pouch to swell up as it becomes filled up with air.
- Signs Of Guttural Pouch Tympany
  The foal will have an enlarged Guttural Pouch which if tapped will often sound like a drum.
Guttural Pouch Empyema
This is caused by bacteria entering through the Pharynx into the Guttural Pouch. Normally any bacteria is quickly dealt with by the Guttural Pouch but if it does not then a build up of pus will occur causing the Guttural Pouch to fill up and swell with pus.
- Signs Of Guttural Pouch Empyema
  The Guttural Pouch will be enlarged and there will be a thick white or yellow puss coming out of one or both nostrils. The horses breathing may also be impaired if the swelling is extreme.
Guttural Pouch Mycosis
This is the most serious of the three diseases and it is caused by a Fungal Infection that imbeds itself in the wall of the Guttural Pouch over an Artery. The infected Artery then starts to bleed and it is this bleeding that can quite literally cause the horse to bleed to death in the event of the blood vessels within the pouch rupturing. Examples of the types of Fungal infection are aspergillus, candida and penicillium. If the disease is not treated then the fungal infection can cause damage to the nerves in the area causing permanent damage for example affecting the horses ability to swallow.
- Signs Of Guttural Pouch Mycosis
  Blood will be seen trickling or running out of one or both nostrils most often seen when the horse is at rest which allows it to not be mistaken for Equine Induced Pulmonary disease.

Treatment Of Guttural Pouch Disease
Treatment will depend on the type of disease:

Guttural Pouch Tympany
This is first diagnosed with an endoscopic examination and is most commonly treated with surgery. The surgery given allows air to flow out of the Guttural Pouch into the Pharynx.

Guttural Pouch Empyema
The vet will do an endoscopic examination to confirm that it is Guttural Pouch Empyema. In some cases an incision will be made at the side of the Pouch to allow the pouch to be drained of puss and then to allow the pouch to be aggressively flushed out in order to aid in the treatment. A treatment of antibiotics is given and in some cases pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs are given to reduce the inflammation and bruising in the area.

Guttural Pouch Mycosis
Surgery is the only way to successfully remove the Fungal infection from within the Guttural Pouch. The surgery involves the Artery that has been infected and by preventing the flow of blood to that Artery along with the use of anti fungal drugs after the surgery has taken place will help to halt the Fungal infection and prevent further blood from being lost.

Guttural Pouch Disease Vet, Horse First Aid

Guttural Pouch Disease
Vet, Horse First Aid