Guttural Pouch Tympany (GPT) in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

The guttural pouch is a unique respiratory structure of the horse consisting of 2 large blind air-filled pouches in the back of the throat (pharynx). The entrance to these pouches are 2 narrow slits in the back of the throat and the two pouches share a common wall. The equine guttural represents a out-pouching of the auditory (eustachian) tube and whose function is not clear. It has been suggested that it could act to cool the brain by ventilating and cooling the internal carotid arteries which travel in the wall of the guttural pouches. The air circulating in the pouch cools the blood which in turn cools the brain. Experiments support this possibility.

In some newborns and growing horses the opening acts as a one way valve that inflates the pouch but does not allow the air to escape. When this occurs a non-painful swelling in the throatlatch occurs either unilaterally or bilaterally. Though not often a problem itself it can cause difficult swallowing and aspiration of food and water into the lungs. This article discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of guttural pouch tympany.

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