atrial fibrilation HELP?

phoenix26

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My horse went to have treatment on a shattered splint bone and fractured canon bone which is now stable. However at the same time he has been diagnosed with atrial fibrilation, has anyone had their horse treated for this before and what was the outcome? Did the treatment last or did they relapse? Vets have advised he will not be safe to compete or hunt with the condition amd he is only 6 years old so would like to have the treatment done which has an 8-9/10 success rate. Thanks
 
Not heard of that in horses. How do they treat, is it cardioversion with a defib? I know in people it does recur
 
No direct experience involving this, but I went to an excellent talk by a vet Lesley Young, who specialises in equine heart stuff and travels across the UK to see clients.

http://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/find-a-vet/specialist-veterinary-cardiology-services-newmarket-4174/

She was very down to earth, knowledgeable and approachable and I feel sure she'd give you a good honest opinion.

Well worth contacting her for a second opinion, so that you are sure you really do know the way forward with your horse.

Sarah
 
Our hunter collapsed after a hack with this. He survived and was on Digoxin human heart tablets. After about 6 months he deteriorated and was PTS. With hindsight we should have donethis when he collapsed but we wnated to give him every chance.
 
I have had two horses with it. Both Advanced Endurance horses and both went on to compete in races.

The first was 10 years old Arab Gelding and was found to have it at the first vet gate (25 miles ) we watched him carefully and did not race him ,just allowed him to go at his pace. At the second vetgate (50 miles) no really change. He finished the ride (60miles) and finished 3rd. He was referred to Liphook where they did blood and urine tests and found there to be a slight electrolyte imbalance. This was corrected and he went on to complete more endurance rides.

The second was a 22 year old Arab Mare who was competing at the Golden Horse Shoe (100 miles over Exmoor) last year no reduction in performance but at the end of the first day (The ride is over 2 .days) at the vetting she was found to be in AF, this again was found to be an electrolyte imbalance . Because of her age I retired her from the next day. Three weeks later she went on to win an endurance race at an average speed of 16.1kph and then in October she completed the Arab Marathon where she won the veteran class at an average of 25kph and came 14th overall in the main class.



I would have bloods taken to check. Did the vet give you the reason why your horse is in AF.

Do not give up. Many horses continue to compete successfully with being treated.
 
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