Guttural pouch hemorrhage associated with lesions of the maxillary artery in two horses.
Abstract: A two year old Thoroughbred gelding, presented with guttural pouch hemorrhage, had the internal and external carotid arteries ligated. Guttural pouch mycosis was detected on endoscopic examination. After one month of topical antifungal therapy, the horse was returned and euthanized because of recurrent epistaxis. A bacterial infection of the guttural pouch with associated ulceration and hemorrhage from the maxillary artery was found at necropsy.A two year old grade gelding had ulceration and hemorrhage from the external carotid artery. Utilizing balloon-tipped catheters and arterial ligation, hemestasis was achieved in the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery and its branches. Mycotic ulceration of the internal carotid artery was detected endoscopically and treated with local antifungal therapy for one month. Thirty-three days postoperatively the horse returned, bleeding from a lesion in the maxillary artery. The rationale for surgical intervention to prevent epistaxis associated with guttural pouch mycosis and possible etiologies for postsurgical epistaxis are discussed.
Publication Date: 1984-06-01 PubMed ID: 17422413PubMed Central: PMC1790587
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses two cases where horses suffered from guttural pouch hemorrhage, possibly due to lesions in the maxillary artery, and outlines the treatment methods and postoperative complications.
Cases Overview
- The study focuses on two horses, both two-year-old geldings, presenting with guttural pouch hemorrhage, a rare condition associated with potentially fatal bleeding.
- In both cases, endoscopic examination resulted in detecting guttural pouch mycosis – a fungal infection of the guttural pouches.
Treatment Measures
- Both horses underwent surgery wherein the internal and external carotid arteries were ligated (closed off) to stop the bleeding.
- Following this, they received topical antifungal therapy to treat the mycosis.
- The horses’ conditions were kept under observation for a month postoperatively.
Postoperative Complications
- In the case of the Thoroughbred horse, despite the treatments, it was returned and had to be euthanized due to recurrent epistaxis (nosebleed). The necropsy (animal autopsy) revealed a bacterial infection in the guttural pouch, maxillary artery ulceration, and related hemorrhage.
- The Grade gelding also suffered complications postoperatively and started bleeding from a lesion located in the maxillary artery. Initial treatment was successful in achieving hemostasis (stopping of blood flow), but it later developed a bleeding lesion in another artery.
Discussion
- The article uses these cases to discuss the rationale behind the surgical intervention that was applied to prevent epistaxis associated with guttural pouch mycosis. It emphasizes the high risks surrounding the condition and the challenges in managing such complicated cases.
- The paper also suggests further exploration of potential reasons for the recurrent nosebleeds following surgery – postsurgical epistaxis. These could either be directly related to the surgery or might be due to simultaneous issues like bacterial infection as was found in the thoroughbred horse.
In conclusion, this research not only presents the detailed medical interventions in two interesting cases, but it also highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the causes and treatment options for conditions like guttural pouch hemorrhage in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith KM, Barber SM.
(1984).
Guttural pouch hemorrhage associated with lesions of the maxillary artery in two horses.
Can Vet J, 25(6), 239-242.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
References
This article includes 11 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Lepage OM. Guttural Pouch Mycosis: A Three-Step Therapeutic Approach. Vet Sci 2024 Jan 19;11(1).
- Hunter B, Nation PN. Mycotic encephalitis, sinus osteomyelitis, and guttural pouch mycosis in a 3-year-old Arabian colt. Can Vet J 2011 Dec;52(12):1339-41.
- Millar H. Guttural pouch mycosis in a 6-month-old filly. Can Vet J 2006 Mar;47(3):259-61.
- Grahn BH, Cullen CL. Diagnosis of blindness in a horse. Can Vet J 2002 Jul;43(7):563-4.
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