😷 This horse was referred to us after presenting with spontaneous nosebleeds – often the first warning sign of a serious and potentially fatal fungal infection (mycosis) in the guttural pouches.

This condition is extremely dangerous. The guttural pouches contain major arteries and cranial nerves, and the fungus can colonize and degrade the arterial wall. If an artery is affected, there is a high risk of massive and sudden hemorrhage – often fatal without urgent treatment.

The most challenging part? Early signs are subtle: mild nosebleeds, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), or even neurological symptoms such as abnormal eye movement.

🩸 That’s why any nosebleed in a horse should be taken seriously and investigated via endoscopy to rule out guttural pouch mycosis. Early diagnosis can truly save lives.

In this case, we performed a delicate, life-saving procedure. Through a small incision in the neck, a catheter was inserted into the carotid artery and navigated under fluoroscopic guidance to the arteries supplying the guttural pouches. Once in place, these arteries were embolized using metallic microcoils. This stops the risk of hemorrhage by isolating the affected artery, whose wall had been weakened by the fungal infection.

This embolization is combined with antifungal treatment, which is the only way to directly target the infection. Together, these treatments give the horse a real chance at recovery.

⏱️ It’s a true race against time! But with quick action and the right treatment, there is real hope. This horse recovered very well, and the fungal infection had already significantly regressed by the first post-op check.