diastolic heart murmor > help?

[annie02]

Hi there,
This is my first post and I apologize that I have a question right off the mark.

I just found out my 24 yr old TB X has a diastolic heart murmur, which leads to congestive heart failure...Is there anything I can do to prevent or treat this?

Thanks Annie

 

[debonhorse]

Hi Annie02 welcome. I am sorry I cant help in any way, but I just wanted to send my heartfelt best wihes. you must be i pieces. (have you had him/her all those years? I do hope there is something you can do, let us know how you get on.

 

[star]

is he recently diagnosed? did the vet not tell you any more info and if there was any treatment available?

 

[samp]

I think he would be out on a course of tablets to help the condition other than that I am afraid there is no cure

 

[annie02]

My vet found the murmur during her yearly check-up last week. I hadnt noticed any signs so I was shocked to hear she was so sick. The vet told me there is nothing I can do, once we see fluid build up in her tummy area and legs it will be a short time until it fills her lungs. As far as I understand that is how congestive heart failure works.

She is going to do some blood work to see if her other organs are working alright, if not then it is will be a short time until she becomes very ill. I could also trailer her to get an ECG and ultrasound done, this would tell us how much blood is flowing back into the heart and if any fluid has built up around the heart.

I have been reading a lot on the web and it seems some places say you can treat it with diuretics but my vet is saying it only buys you hours or maybe a day but I thihk I should get a second opinion. I dont mind spending money to keep her healthy, she is a family member.

I just have a hard time believing you cant treat it in horses, you can in people and in cats and dogs.

I guess I am partly in denial, you dotn ever want to lose your best friend...

Thanks for all your replies, Annie

 

[kildalton]

End stage heart failure is very hard to manage in people, I'm afraid. She really needs an echo to see how bad she is.I'm so sorry.

 

[GreedyGuts]

Heart problems progress at different rates and if she is not showing any clinical signs of heart disease at the moment then that is a good sign.

Did your vet tell you what grade/ how loud the murmur is? Horses can live for a long time with heart murmur before their hearts stop being able to cope. I know of a showjumper that was retired 4 years ago because of a diastolic heart murmur, and the people who own her are thinking of bringing her back into light work because it hasn't changed since. This type of condition is far better understood now than a few years ago, and horses aren't being written off as they once were.

Don't worry too much she could have years ahead of her, and if you really want to know more about what's going on ask your vet to refer you to a specialist for an ultrasound scan of her heart.

I hope that's of some help, I know how shocking and distressing a discovery like this can be.