What clinical signs are associated with an infection of the guttural pouch?

What clinical signs are associated with an infection of the guttural pouch?

Clinical signs include intermittent purulent nasal discharge, painful swelling in the parotid area, and in severe cases, stiff head carriage and stertorous breathing. Fever, depression, and anorexia may or may not be seen. Diagnosis is determined by endoscopic examination of the guttural pouch.

What causes guttural pouch empyema?

The most common disease of the guttural pouches is called guttural pouch empyema. This is caused by a bacterial infection, usually secondary to strangles. In this disease, the thin lining of the guttural pouch becomes inflamed and the guttural pouch becomes filled with thick pus.

What disease does Streptococcus equi cause?

Streptococcus equi causes the disease known as “strangles” in horses. It affects primarily younger horses but may affect older horses that are immunologically naive. S. equi infection is transmitted by direct contact or via fomites such as water troughs, feed bunks, pastures, and stalls.

What causes guttural pouch?

Guttural pouch empyema is a condition in which pus- and bacteria-containing secretions accumulate in the guttural pouch. The condition usually develops after a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract.

How is mycosis guttural pouch diagnosed?

Endoscopy of the guttural pouch is the goal standard to diagnose guttural pouch mycosis. This involves passing an endoscope, which is a small flexible camera, up the nose and into the guttural pouches.

What nerves run through guttural pouch?

The guttural pouch has close association with many major structures including several cranial nerves (glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, hypoglossal), the sympathetic trunk and the external and internal carotid arteries.

How do you treat guttural pouch mycosis in horses?

Medical treatment for guttural pouch mycosis involves the infusion of topical antifungal agents into the affected guttural pouch with or without systemic antifungal medications. The response to topical treatment is generally slow (taking up to 5 months) and the success of such treatment varies greatly.

What are the symptoms of strangles in horses?

What are the clinical signs of strangles? The incubation period for strangles is 3 to 8 days, at which point clinical signs, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes with abscess formation may appear.

What are the symptoms of Streptococcus equi?

Classic clinical signs include a fever (often >103°F or >39.5°C) first, followed by one or more of the following symptoms: Lethargy/lack of interest in normal activities. Thick white to yellow nasal discharge. Swelling under the jaw and/or in the throat latch region (from the infected lymph nodes)

What are bastard strangles?

Metastatic strangles (sometimes called “bastard strangles”) is a condition in which lymph nodes in other parts of the body, such as the abdomen and chest, are affected. The diagnosis of strangles is confirmed by bacterial culture of secretions from abscesses or nasal swab samples.

How do you treat guttural pouch mycosis?

Is guttural pouch contagious?

Guttural pouch empyema is an infection that can occur in horses due to bacterial infection. This infection is often secondary to equine distemper, a contagious upper respiratory disease that is caused by Streptoccocus equi. Protect yourself and your pet.