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  Discussion on Cardiovascular problem
Author Message
New Member:
Dlbsunse

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 12:46 am:

Doc please help
I have a 12 yr old gelding that has developed irregular heart beat almost overnight. 2 weeks ago he was a very healthy horse, I have owned him for 5 years and he has never been sick, is current on vaccinations and wormings. Last week he started just standing around and not moving much and has been fainting, DrOpping to the ground and barely breathing and at times stops breathing. He has gone off his feed and only nibbles a little. Shows elevated glucose levels but nothing else. Vet seems to think he hears a murmur, but not sure. What could be causing this very sudden and drastic change overnight???? My thought is it is viral, or could it be heartworms. Can you give me some areas to consider?
Diana
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 1:31 pm:

Could you describe the irregularity in detail Diana? In particular what is the heart rate, rhythm, and character. If you need to call your vet be sure to write down the details. A grade one murmur is probably not significant by itself and no heartworms are not a consideration in horses. It is important to understand whatever we conjecture here, without further diagnostic workup, that is all it is conjecture and most horse dysrhytmias will have many possible causes. To read about one of the most common dysrhytmias including further diagnostic workup and prognostic indicators see, Equine Diseases » Cardiovascular, Blood, and Immune System » Atrial Fibrillation.
DrO
Member:
Dlbsunse

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 3:24 pm:

Doc
My vet will be out on Mon am to do an EKG will let you know more at that time.
Diana
Member:
Dlbsunse

Posted on Saturday, Nov 13, 2004 - 1:21 am:

Dr O
Just an update thought you might find this interesting and also a word of caution to other horse owners. The cardiologist read the EKG and after consultation they determined that the irregular heart beat was caused by a prolonged exposure to the electric fence. A few days before he got sick we found the electric fence pulled down and wrapped around a tree, but never gave it any thought that he may have been tangled in it and that it could have given him that much of a shock. He is know on steriods for the fluid build up and heart medications is on its way. He has improved a little over the last few days, but still faints very easily.
Diana
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 14, 2004 - 8:30 am:

Wow Diana,
Let me be clear, the horse did not show any symptoms for several days after the fence went down and there are no wire wounds on the horse?
DrO
Member:
Dlbsunse

Posted on Thursday, Nov 25, 2004 - 10:43 pm:

Dr O
The horse started to show symptoms the same day we found the fence down. There are wire marks on his chest, no open wounds. The horse has completed a treatment of Terbutaline (5mg) six tablets twice daily. He is still taking prednisone (20 mg) ten tablets every other day. We also injected 6cc of latsik twice a day for seven days. I would like your opinion of the treatment. The horse is still having fainting spells and not eating well.
Diana
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 26, 2004 - 9:27 am:

Not being able to examine your horse Diana, I really cannot comment on the appropriateness of the treatment (except for the pred) but both the terbutaline and lasix seemed centered around improving lung function through bronchodialation the removal of accumulated fluids in the lungs and other tissues and would be rational for such.

The prednisone is illogical in the horse as it is not absorbed/and converted to prednisolone which is the active form and the specific drug you should be using. It would seem that specific treatment for the arrythmia and improved heart contractility would be logical: what does the cardiologist say? Not only does he know the nature of these problems but I suspect he is far more knowledable about what is useful and practical in the horse.
DrO
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