Very Common
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Heart Sounds Dropped, Missed Beat
Summary
You listen to your horse's heart with a stethoscope and notice a missing heart sound or a completely missing beat: Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub, Lub-dub, Lub.....Lub-Dub, etc. Usually this is a harmless and common arrhythmia (abnormal rhythm) that is considered within normal limits.
This observation is often made in horses that also have a very low heart rate. A very low heart rate in a horse is generally not considered a problem and is often seen in very fit horses.
This observation is often made in horses that also have a very low heart rate. A very low heart rate in a horse is generally not considered a problem and is often seen in very fit horses.
-
Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) paying particular attention to mucous membrane color, CRT, pulse, and general attitude and appetite. If you do not notice any other abnormality, exercise your horse lightly (trot them for 5 minutes) and recheck the heart with a stethoscope. The missing beat should disappear with the increase in heart rate.Monitor your horse for other signs of illness or abnormalities and contact your vet with your findings and concerns. Ask your vet to listen to the heart when they next see your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet will help you determine whether your horse's heart rhythm is within normal range, or if there is cause to worry. If there is a question about this finding's significance, EKG and other heart diagnostics may need to be performed.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does your horse seem normal otherwise?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- How is your horse's attitude and appetite?
- What does the horse do for a living?
- Have you noticed changes in exercise tolerance, i.e. breathing hard when ridden or taking a longer t
- Does your horse still perform well and recover quickly when ridden?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
