AAEP Annual Convention Orlando 2007
Back to Table of Contents
Add to My Library
Comments
Share:

Suitability of Chlorhexidine Gluconate for Equine Guttural Pouch Lavage

Author(s):
Brosnahan M.M.,
Holbrook T.C.,
Breshears M. and
Moll H.D.
In: AAEP Annual Convention - Orlando, 2007 by American Association of Equine Practitioners
Updated:
DEC 05, 2007
Languages:
Back to Table of Contents
Add to My Library

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) at antimicrobial concentrations causes severe inflammation when infused into the guttural pouch (GP) and is not recommended for this purpose.

1. Introduction

Guttural pouch (GP) empyema is often associated with an infectious agent such as Streptococcus equi. Medical treatment includes lavage with or without added antimicrobials. Anecdotal reports of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) solution used for this purpose and reported neurotoxicity of CG prompted evaluation of clinical and histological consequences of CG infusion.

2. Materials and Methods

Six horses needing euthanasia were used. Three horses each received either 0.5% or 0.05% CG solution into one GP while sterile water was infused into the other as a control. After euthanasia, at 24 h after one lavage (0.5% group) or 48 h after five daily lavages (0.05% group), samples of GP tissue were formalin fixed for histology. Nerve tissue was fixed in cold glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy.

3. Results

Horses lavaged with 0.5% CG solution showed severe signs of inflammation, including copious nasal discharge, fever, dysphagia, lymphadenopathy, and mucosal necrosis. Horses lavaged with 0.05% CG solution showed moderate signs, including milder nasal discharge and mucosal ulceration. Control pouches showed very mild inflammation on histopathology.

4. Discussion

Although CG is widely used in both veterinary and human medicine, neurotoxicity has been shown. Horses in this study did not show signs attributed to cranial nerve dysfunction. CG has also been shown to cause local tissue damage in horses. Concentrations of CG used in this study induced signs of inflammation considered unacceptable for therapeutic purposes.

Supported in part by the Oxley Chair, Equine Sports Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.

Back to Table of Contents
Add to My Library

Ask the author

0 comments
Submit

How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?

Brosnahan, M. M. et al. (2007) “Suitability of Chlorhexidine Gluconate for Equine Guttural Pouch Lavage”, AAEP Annual Convention - Orlando, 2007. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/aaep/aaep-annual-convention-orlando-2007/suitability-of-chlorhexidine-gluconate-for-equine-guttural-pouch-lavage (Accessed: 07 October 2024).

Author(s)

  • Brosnahan M.M.

    DVM
    Department of Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University
    Read more about this author

  • Holbrook T.C.

    DVM, Dipl. ACVIM
    Department of Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University
    Read more about this author

  • Breshears M.

    DVM, Dipl. ACVP
    Department of Pathology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University
    Read more about this author

  • Moll H.D.

    DVM MS Dipl ACVS
    Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center of Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University
    Read more about this author

Copyright Statement

© All text and images in this publication are copyright protected and cannot be reproduced or copied in any way.

Readers also viewed these publications

Provided by:

The AAEP represents nearly 9,300 veterinarians and veterinary students in 61 countries who cover a broad range of equine disciplines, breeds and associations. The AAEP is primary resource for education, professional development and ethical standards for its members. The AAEP and its members are recognized as the voice and authority for the health and welfare of the horse. The AAEP conducts regular strategic planning every three to four years in order to establish priorities and set direction for the association over the current planning horizon.  The AAEP is a respected source of information for influencing public policy.  

Learn more
Back To Top