Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Ruptured Aorta, Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm
Synonyms: Aortic Root or Aortic Ring Rupture
Summary
Ruptured aortic aneurysm is a cause of sudden death that is more common in older male horses, especially breeding stallions. It usually occurs after breeding or following intense exercise. It is most commonly caused by a congenital aneurysm of the aortic root. The rupture results in massive bleeding into the chest or abdomen.
Collapse and death usually quickly follows rupture of an aortic aneurysm or ruptured aorta, usually within a few moments. But in some cases, it may not kill the horse immediately.
What follows can look similar to any other condition that results in signs of colic, along with signs of worsening heart failure. Other vessel ruptures can also cause massive bleeding into the abdomen or chest.
All of these occur without any external bleeding.
Diagnosis is usually done at post-mortem exam. In the standing horse, diagnosis requires ultrasound echocardiography. It may be possible to use echocardiography to visualize early development of aneurysm.
There is no practical treatment for this condition at this time.
Collapse and death usually quickly follows rupture of an aortic aneurysm or ruptured aorta, usually within a few moments. But in some cases, it may not kill the horse immediately.
What follows can look similar to any other condition that results in signs of colic, along with signs of worsening heart failure. Other vessel ruptures can also cause massive bleeding into the abdomen or chest.
All of these occur without any external bleeding.
Diagnosis is usually done at post-mortem exam. In the standing horse, diagnosis requires ultrasound echocardiography. It may be possible to use echocardiography to visualize early development of aneurysm.
There is no practical treatment for this condition at this time.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
For the rare case that is diagnosed prior to death, heart medications may somewhat prolong life. However, the long term prognosis is poor, and these horses are a danger to handlers because of the potential for sudden collapse.There is a variation on this condition in Friesian and Friesian cross horses in which they experience a more of a chronic state of this condition. There is likely a congenital predisposition in this breed.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Sudden Collapse or Apparent Loss of Consciousness
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Heart Rate, Pulse Rapid, Greater than 48 BPM at Rest (in Adult)
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Pulse or Heart Beat Irregular, Arrhythmia
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Shock, Ears & Limbs Seem Cold, Pulse is Weak & Rapid
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Horse Found Dead, Recently Seemed Healthy
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Has Fallen or Collapsed When Ridden
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Collapsed & Died Suddenly, Witnessed
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Depressed, Dull, Sick or Lethargic
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Abdominal Pain, Colic Signs
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Depressed & Not Eating Right after Intense Exercise
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Not Eating, Loss of Appetite, Not Hungry
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Less Common
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- If the horse survives, what will their quality of life be like?
- What precautions can I take given that the horse could suddenly collapse?
- Is there a congenital basis for this?
Prevention
None known at this time. Do not breed lines of horses in which this condition has been diagnosed.
Related References:
Higgins AJ, Snyder JR eds. The Equine Manual. 2nd Ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders 2006.
M. PLOEG, V. SAEY C. M. de BRUIJN A. GR?NE K. CHIERS et.al. Aortic rupture and aorto-pulmonary fistulation in the Friesian horse
Characterization of the clinical and gross post mortem findings in
24 cases. Equine Veterinary Journal ISSN 0425-1644
DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00580.
Lavoie JP, Hinchcliff KW eds. Blackwell's 5 Minute Vet Consult: Equine. 2nd Ed. Ames: Wiley Blackwell 2008.