Equine guttaral pouches

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.
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