Favorable survival of horses with guttural pouch mycosis

Favorable survival of horses with guttural pouch mycosis following hospital-based treatment

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026 Jul 29:1-6. doi: 10.2460/javma.26.04.0248. Online ahead of print.
Authors
Nicole A I Phillips, Rebecca C McOnie, Barbara Delvescovo, Rolfe Radcliffe, Norm G Ducharme, Eileen S Hackett

PMID: 42526493
DOI: 10.2460/javma.26.04.0248

Abstract

Objective: To report the clinical outcomes and survival time in horses undergoing treatment of guttural pouch mycosis.

Methods: Client-owned horses with guttural pouch mycosis admitted between 2005 and 2024 for evaluation and treatment were identified by medical record search. Signalment, disease history, and surgical and treatment details were recorded. Owners were contacted for follow-up information.

Results: 41 horses with guttural pouch mycosis were identified, of which 28 had epistaxis or a history of epistaxis on presentation. Thirty-five horses underwent surgical treatment, and the procedures included balloon catheter arterial occlusion, arterial embolization, arterial ligation, and pharyngeal fenestration. Six horses died or were euthanized in hospital, and 35 horses were discharged alive. Median time to follow-up was 377 weeks. Twenty-four of 35 horses discharged from the hospital were alive at follow-up, and 5 horses were euthanized for guttural-pouch-mycosis-related disease within 60 days of disease confirmation. The other 6 horses died of causes unrelated to guttural pouch mycosis. Epistaxis did not negatively impact survival. Horses with dysphagia on admission did not have lower survival time, and time to resolution of dysphagia varied from 6 to 12 months.

Conclusions: The findings suggested that guttural pouch mycosis carries a good prognosis for short-term survival and fair to good prognosis for long-term survival following hospital-based treatment.

Clinical relevance: Treatment for horses with guttural pouch mycosis should not be withheld based on prognosis related to concurrent epistaxis or dysphagia.

Keywords: epistaxis; equine; guttural pouch; horse; mycosis.