Guttural Pouch Tympany

Recent studies show that it most likely has a genetic component with links to some arabian and hanoverian bloodlines.

Guttural pouch tympany. Guttural pouch mycosis is a rare but very serious disease in horses. May have distorted cartilaginous border. When these bacteria and fungi become trapped in the mucus that lines these pouches they cause infection and inflammation. Horses diagnosed with guttural pouch tympany should not be allowed to breed because they would be passing on the genetic condition to the offspring.

Guttural pouch tympany is a congenital disease in horses which means the foal is born with gpt. Guttural pouch tympany is an uncommon ailment in which excessive amounts of air become trapped in the pouch resulting in abnormal expansion. Guttural pouch tympany is seen in horses ranging from birth to 1 yr of age and is more common in fillies than in colts. The infection can cause some deep damage to the arteries and nerves.

It is caused by a fungus that infects the lining of the guttural pouch usually on the roof of the guttural pouch. Tympany is usually unilateral but in some cases can affect both pouches. Air accumulates in guttural pouch trapped large tympanitic swelling in parotid region. Guttural pouch empyema in horses.

Diagnosis of guttural pouch tympany in horses. It is an outpouching of the eustachian tube the tube that connects the ears to the nose and mouth and helps to regulate air pressure. Because of the nature of its workings a horse s guttural pouch may become a haven for bacteria fungi or other infectious agents that are inhaled or ingested by the horse. The exact cause of guttural pouch tympany is unknown.

Guttural pouch tympany is usually a defect with which a foal is born although it may show up later as a foal matures. The guttural pouch is a structure found only in equine species. In some cases the condition is acquired due to inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. This malfunction causes the plica to act as a one way valve that leads to air accumulation within the guttural pouch but does not allow the air to escape.

A genetic basis of disease has been identified in arabian and german warmblood breeds. The condition can be unilateral or bilateral. Guttural pouch tympany is a rare condition of young foals caused by malfunction of the plica salpingopharyngeus.