[spyro1]

Talked with a friend of mine earlier this evening and she had to have her 4 year old mare put down. she told me that it had to with a fungus in her gutteral pouch, but she couldn't remember the technical name for it. she stopped eating, had some swelling in her GP, had some drainage coming out, but it was not blood. She was taken to U of F in Gainesville for scoping. She had some type of surgery to clear out her G Pouches. Ok, I know I am lacking details, here, but my question is, could it have been GP Mycosis without the bleeding? My friend was told that treatment would consist of 6 months of daily scoping, IV tube feeding, (mare lost about 200 lbs in a few months) and numerous antibiotics. Ranging in cost between $9,000 for just the scoping alone, up to 13,000 for everything else included as well. Another question, do you think that if she would have saught treatment as soon as she noticed these symptoms, would the treatment have been the same, or less drastic? And do you think that this mare's life could have been saved? She let the mare's symptoms go for a few months!!!! I know in my heart that it probably would have made a difference, but I can't say that to her, she does tend to have a "wait and see" attitude.
The saddest part was this mare was confirmed in foal...
One more question, is this something that can come on fast, or does it brew for some time?? She had just bought the mare and only had her for a few weeks before the initial surgery needed to be done.

[::Miss Kitty::]

Wow I can't answer your questions, but that is so awful, especially since she was in foal

[Blistering Winds]

Wow...you got me stumped...I pulled the books out!!!

Here is what I have on it. It develops as outpockets of the Eustacian or auditory tubes. Caused by Aspergillus species, acquired commonly from eating damp moldy hay. Plus the pouches are dark, warm, humid, and poorly ventilated...perfect breeding ground!!

Most common sign is unilateral nosebleed. Can cause paralysis for SWALLOWING!! Most common seen after nerve damage is regurgitation of food.

Hmm...might check on that for people who have constant choke patients.....

Horner's Syndrome is common in these horses......roaring......drooping of the ear, muzzle and lower lip, and atrophy of muscles of the tongue.

Treatment is necessary before a fatal hemorrhage!!! Aggressive drug therapy, scoping area, tying off any bleeding arteries, and all treatment leaves the horse guarded.

NOW, there are other Guttural pouch diseases.....Some don't bleed like Guttural Pouch Empyema. Which is an infection and accumulation of pus in the pouches. Usually seen after a severe case of strangles. Unilateral nasal discharge is commonly seen. Sometimes bloodstained. Can have pouches harden and calcify.
That treatment is drain and aggressive antibiotics as well.

Both leave horse in Guarded condition. Sometimes they will just GO AWAY suddenly, then come back with a vengence!!!!!!

That is all I have on them. Both don't look good either way.

[spyro1]

Thanks, BW, I know, everyhting I read said that one of the signs of Mycosis was bleeding, she did not have that, just regurgitation of grain/hay and drainage from her nostrils and mouth. No paralysis, or drooping. Ok, you said that damp moldy hay contributes to it, or causes it?? And how long after this occurs can they show symptoms?? I thought it sounded more like the Empyema as well, but she said it was a fungus and her GP's had to be scraped. So that would be Mycosis..hmmm???

[PawNHoofPrints]

Guttural pouch infections are always a bad deal. There are major blood vessels and nerves that run through them. Regardless of how early or late she sought treatment, I'd be suprised if the outcome would have been much different.

[CANDYGIRL]

Spy

If you remember this is why I had Candy put to sleep, she did have a minor heamorage, but it was the Guteral Pouch infection that was the final straw.

All because of a tooth abcess.

That little air filled sac the Guteral Pouch will haunt me forever.

I don't know if dealing with it earlier would of saved her - Candy was on antibiotics from Sept till the day she was put to sleep in December, different types.

I am sorry for your friend, specially with the mare being so young

Jane

[Blistering Winds]

Doesn't say how fast it can occur. Without bleeding, either it was caught early before bloodvessels were involved, or it was the other one and not a fungus. Sometimes it is hard to tell without some serious testing.

Both are bad, both don't have good outcomes. Once the horse starts having problems, they usually have problems for a LONG LONG time, if not always. Cost MUCHO MULA in the end!! So many owners do tend to just put the horse down at first signs of problems.

That is what I found on the subject overall.

[CANDYGIRL]

It was unfortuate for Candy BW that the infection spread to the Gutteal pouch, bare in mind her age 31.


Antibiotics didn't work, I did the kindest, but hardest thing ever in my life for her.

Money didn't matter, my bill was huge, just the heamorrage was the final thing.

The thought of her havig a massive one, that wouldn't stop and bleeding to death and me not being there, just was too much.

That is why I was so concerned for QHGirl and dug out Candys report.

Still heartbroken

But she had a fantastic life, and will be forever in my heart and head.

Hope this is her now, over Rainbow Bridge.

Jane

[Blistering Winds]

Sorry to hear that Candy. I bet that was hard to deal with. Even at that age.

[CANDYGIRL]

BW


I have dealt with some things, but this had to be the worst.

Until Candy I never even knew they had a gutteral pouch and what it was used for.

You are so right the prognosis is not good in either, good studying

I balmed myself for ages, till I read loads on it, you know like you do, maybe I could of done more etc. But I know now that she was pretty doomed from the start - at least I tried, and until that day 18th December, she acted normal, eating, happy, but that night she didn't eat her food and was real depressed by morning, finding the blood was horrific.

I have come to terms with that it wasn't my fault and there was no more, me or my vets could do for her - so let her go, as I always say 'last act of love'

Sent you pm.

Jane