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  Discussion on Heart Problems?
Author Message
Member:
Finogirl

Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 1:49 am:

Dr. O, just this evening I heard some banging in the barn and I found our 21 year old gelding pawing like crazy, tearing up his stall and rolling. I thought "Colic", called the vet right away and he instructed me to give him 10cc of Banamine to see if he settles down. I checked his vital signs and they were all normal,gut sounds were good too. Banamine settled him down, but his heart sounds strange. After the beat there is an odd noise that is hard to describe, like a sucking or scraping kind of sound. It has become better since the shot, but it is still there. I will call the vet in the a.m. and give an update, but do you think he may be starting to have heart problems?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 7:56 am:

I am uncertain what you might be hearing Deborah, so let's wait and see what the vet says.
DrO
Member:
Finogirl

Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 10:06 am:

He is normal in every way this morning, his heart sounds good, but the banamine is still in his system. I doubt if I will get a vet out here unless it becomes an emergency again or other symptoms develop. There are not enough doctors here for the number of animals. The best way is to work with them over the phone if you can. I have updated the vet, and he is taking a wait and see... I have never seen anything like this, and this horse is very stoic which makes it a little harder recognize problems until they are serious. I was hoping you had some insight, but of course, I haven't given you much to go on. I'll let you know if something else develops. Thanks, Dr. O.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 6:31 pm:

Interpretation of sounds heard on auscultation by someone who is not first educated on the practice and then experienced to hundreds of different horses is very subjective Deborah and so your findings leave me wondering what is it your hear. Banamine would not significantly effect the heart sounds. This is not to deter you from the practice but giving advice based on this information is irresponsible. However if you really feel this is a significant finding, you should have your vet out.
DrO
Member:
Finogirl

Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 11:35 pm:

Who did I give advice to? I was speaking to you and merely explaining what I have to do here. I am in contact with my vet, and I will haul my horse to his office if I feel he has a problem. I have a very good relationship with my vet and if I have an emergency that I can't handle with his guidance I know that he will be here. I think it is very responsible to be able to work with the professionals you must rely upon. It is a nice thing to do for your animals and your vet as well. I was merely looking for some insight from you.
Member:
Frances

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 6:53 am:

Deborah, I think DrO meant that it would be irresponsible of HIM to give you advice based on your description of the sounds you hear.

Good luck with your horse.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 7:16 am:

LL has it right and sorry for the confusion.
DrO
Member:
Finogirl

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 9:39 am:

Ooops... Now I'm sorry too. Our vets are so over loaded here. We have only two large animal vets in the immediate area and the number of animals they treat is unbelievable. I have waited for weeks in the spring for an appointment to float teeth. An emergency usually comes up and pushes me back. It's hard to plan anything if the vet is scheduled to arrive and then can't make it. These are good vets and I have the greatest respect for them. They have saved our horses, especially the little gelding many times. I do try to save them time if I can. They often don't even get home in the spring. One has been known to hire a driver and sleep between calls. Any students or new vets out there?? Come on down!! I have become accustomed to taking my horses to their office or one of the teaching hospitals for an evaluation.
Right now, I just do not know what I may have heard. His heart sounds great (in my uneducated opinion) and strong at the present. I may have heard his respiration along with the beat, but the respiration was 17 and his heart rate was 38. So it does not seem to fit. I want to get him through this critical time with what still may be a impaction colic setting in and then I will see if we can find anything.
Thank you for the clarification. I could not understand why you were angry with me.
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