Guttural pouch empyema and tympany: diagnosis and management

ABSTRACT

Guttural pouch [GP] tympanites and empyema were diagnosed in twelve animals [nine horses and three donkeys] with respiratory stridor and tympanic swelling in the parotid region. The diagnosis was based upon the anamnesis, clinical findings, paracentesis and radiographic and bacteriologic examination. Two fillies with GP tympanites were treated by using long-term implantation of an indwelling catheter through the pharyngeal orifice. Seven horses and three donkeys with GP empyema were managed by hyovertebrotomy with ventral drainage approach. The follow-up information revealed that one filly had persistent tympany; one donkey died of pneumonia and the other animals recovered completely within three weeks