Guttural pouch mycosisin horses: causes, symptoms and treatment with the EQUUSIR BIOS blanket

What is guttural pouch mycosis and how do you recognize it?

Guttural pouch mycosis is an Aspergillus fungus infection of the air sac mucosa, which can lead to life-threatening vascular and nerve damage and can occur on one or both sides. The cause of the spread of mycoses in the air sac is still unknown. The function of the air sacs is also unclear, but important arteries and brain nerves run through the air sacs, and the fungus feeds on the vascular walls and tissues of these and can spread as a result. As a result, the vessels can burst. If the disease remains undetected or is noticed too late, the horses usually bleed to death quickly. 

The most common symptoms are: 

• Unilateral nasal discharge: Some horses exhibit purulent nasal discharge, which may be recurrent and occur on one or both sides. 

• Vascular damage: The internal carotid artery, the external carotid artery and the maxillary artery are affected. Life-threatening nosebleeds occur. 

• Neurological symptoms: Damage to the cranial nerves IX-XII often leads to neurological signs. Difficulty swallowing, reduced tongue tone or the combination of drooping tongue, constricted pupils and one-sided sweating (known as Horner's syndrome ) are important signs of air sac mycosis. 

It requires a quick diagnosis and targeted treatment by a veterinarian. In this article, we use a case study of a 21-year-old warmblood mare to examine the symptoms, diagnostic procedures and treatment options for air sac mycosis, with a particular focus on the supportive treatment provided by the EQUUSIR BIOS blanket.  

Fortunately, the disease progressed positively in this mare and the air sac mycosis was detected in time. 

Case report: Treatment of a mare with unilateral guttural pouch mycosis

A 21-year-old warmblood mare, used as a leisure horse, showed several alarming symptoms that prompted her owner to seek professional help. As a veterinary alternative practitioner for horses and dogs, Sina-Marie Ahnefeld, in consultation with the treating veterinarians , the care and rehabilitation to offer the mare the best possible support. Her symptoms and the subsequent course of her treatment clearly show how important the right therapy is for air sac mycosis and how the BIOS blanket can be used specifically. 

First symptoms: nasal discharge and fatigue

The problems began with purulent nasal discharge on one side and the mare's general condition being poor. A dental problem was initially suspected and the vet administered antibiotics and painkillers. He recommended taking the horse to a clinic if there was no improvement. 

The next day, the mare's condition worsened: one-sided sweating in the area of ​​the air sac and the owner noticed a slightly drooping eyelid - both clear signs of a serious illness. Based on Sina-Marie Ahnefeld's previous experience, air sac mycosis was suspected and she urgently advised the owner to take the mare to a clinic. 

Diagnosis: Confirmation of guttural pouch mycosis and treatment in the clinic

The endoscopic examination in the clinic confirmed the suspicion: the mare was suffering from an advanced air sac mycosis. Fortunately for the mare, the vessel walls were not yet so badly affected. However, as this disease is fatal in most cases due to damage to the arteries, the veterinarians decided together with the owner to perform an operation. The eroded vessels in the air sac were closed so that the fungus could be starved and thus die. In the further course of the treatment, the air sac was regularly flushed with antimycotics in the clinic and the fungus was literally removed from the mucous membrane. In total, the mare underwent two operations on her air sac and was flushed several times. The mare spent several weeks in the clinic and then returned to Sina-Marie Ahnefeld's stable for rehabilitation. 

Unfortunately, the consequences of the disease were not without their consequences: the mare developed difficulty swallowing, probably due to damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve, which stimulates the tongue and throat, and a partially protruding tongue due to damage to the hypoglossal nerve, which stimulates the muscles of the tongue. Further nerve damage, including to the vagus nerve and accessory nerve, could not be ruled out either. 

Therapy: Holistic rehabilitation with the EQUUSIR BIOS horse blanket  

The mare's rehabilitation required comprehensive therapy to support her recovery and alleviate her symptoms. The EQUUSIR BIOS blanket was a central part of the treatment. Here is an overview of the measures taken: 

• EQUUSIR BIOS blanket: 

• Application: Two to three times daily in "calm" mode to calm the nervous system, promote relaxation and relieve pain. This regular therapy helped to reduce the mare's swallowing difficulties by targeting the pain-related discomfort when swallowing. 

• Observation: During treatment with the BIOS blanket, twitching of the nerves in the mare's upper and lower lips could be seen, indicating nerve activation and improved blood flow. This showed that the blanket not only contributed to relaxation but also supported neural activity. 

• Immunomodulation and radical scavengers (administered by Sina-Marie): 

• Due to the long-term illness, the mare's immune system was weakened. The use of radical scavengers and immunomodulating agents helped to support the body in fighting residual infections. 

• Nutritional supplements: medicinal mushrooms and vitamin B complex (prescribed by Sina-Marie): 

• Medicinal mushrooms (Hericium Reishi): These mushrooms have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties that contribute to healing. 

• Vitamin B complex: Supported nerve regeneration and helped alleviate the neurological problems caused by the disease. 

The EQUUSIR BIOS blanket: How it works and why it helps

The EQUUSIR BIOS blanket is an innovative magnetic field blanket based on the principle of neurostimulation. This technology stimulates cell activity, promotes blood circulation and supports the body's regeneration. Especially in the case of long-term illnesses such as air sac mycosis, the BIOS blanket can help to accelerate the healing process and restore the horse's quality of life. 

Advantages of the EQUUSIR BIOS blanket in the treatment of air sac mycosis:

• Improved blood circulation to the surrounding tissue: The magnetic field stimulates blood circulation, which promotes healing and reduces inflammation. 

• Relaxation of the nervous system: Horses with swallowing and breathing difficulties often suffer from stress. The BIOS blanket calms the nervous system, which relaxes the muscles and relieves swallowing difficulties. 

• Pain relief and regeneration: Regular use of the BIOS blanket helps to reduce pain and support the healing of damaged tissue. The activation of cell functions also promotes the recovery of nerves and muscles. 

Results: Significant improvement after four weeks of therapy

After about four weeks of intensive therapy, the mare showed a remarkable improvement. The most important results of the treatment were: 

• Normalization of swallowing function: The mare was able to eat and drink normally again without having to lift her head. This indicated that the nervous complaints had improved and she no longer had any restrictions in swallowing . 

• Calmer behavior and relaxation: Regular magnetic field therapy had a clear effect. The mare relaxed completely during the treatment, which supported the recovery process. She was also calmer and more balanced in everyday life. 

The BIOS blanket is now used when necessary to maintain the mare's regained health and to provide rest and relaxation in the event of any stress. 

Innovative therapeutic approaches and the importance of proper care

The case of the 21-year-old warmblood mare shows that targeted and comprehensive therapy with the EQUUSIR BIOS blanket can play a central role in the treatment of air sac mycosis. The mare's health was successfully restored through the combination of modern technology and holistic approaches. 

EQUUSIR BIOS blanket: Your partner for healthy and relaxed horses  

The EQUUSIR BIOS blanket is not only suitable for diseases of the air sac, but also for promoting general well-being, stress reduction and regeneration. Visit our product page to find out more about the possible applications or contact us directly for individual advice.