Guttural Pouch Tympany

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.

Guttural pouch tympany is seen in horses ranging from birth to 1 yr of age and is more common in fillies than in colts. It is seen most often in young foals and is more common in females than in males. Congenital malfunction of pharyngeal opening ostia of guttural pouch which acts as a one way valve letting air into pouch but not out. Diagnosis of guttural pouch tympany in horses.

Guttural pouch tympany is an uncommon ailment in which excessive amounts of air become trapped in the pouch resulting in abnormal expansion. The infection can cause some deep damage to the arteries and nerves. A genetic basis of disease has been identified in arabian and german warmblood breeds. Tympany is usually unilateral but in some cases can affect both pouches.

In some cases the condition is acquired due to inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Recent studies show that it most likely has a genetic component with links to some arabian and hanoverian bloodlines. Guttural pouch tympany is a rare condition of young foals caused by malfunction of the plica salpingopharyngeus. Air accumulates in guttural pouch trapped large tympanitic swelling in parotid region.

It is caused by a fungus that infects the lining of the guttural pouch usually on the roof of the guttural pouch. Guttural pouch mycosis is a rare but very serious disease in horses. May have distorted cartilaginous border. 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.

When these bacteria and fungi become trapped in the mucus that lines these pouches they cause infection and inflammation. Guttural pouch tympany is usually a defect with which a foal is born although it may show up later as a foal matures. Guttural pouch empyema in horses. The guttural pouches in horses are well known for being the site of several diseases including tympany empyema mycotic infection and other less frequent pathologic conditions like cystic structures melanoma otitis squamous cell carcinoma or aneurysm rupture fig.

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. The guttural pouch is a structure found only in equine species.