Regional Veterinary Surgery

GUTTURAL POUCH EMPYEMA

• Definition
• It is the accumulation of exudates or pus within the guttural pouch and is usually a sequela of upper respiratory tract infection (Streptococcal species).
• Etiology
• It may result from the rupture of abscessed retropharyngeal lymphnodes into the pouches or may accompany cases of guttural pouch tympany.
• It may occur during the course of an infectious disease like influenza or strangles. Infection of the pouches usually becomes chronic because of lack of complete drainage.
• It may occur usually secondary to an acute pharyngitis or may also accompany infectious parotiditis.
• It may be associated with a neoplasm on its wall. Food material may enter the pouch through the Eustachian tube and give rise to suppurative inflammation.