Foal with severe heart murmur

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Ciara121

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Hi All,

I've been using this forum for years but never posted before. I took on a badly neglected foal two weeks ago and I've recently been told by the vet that he has a severe heart murmur. I listened to it myself and there is a clear 'whooshing' noise after each beat. The vet said that his life would most definitely be shortened though he would not put a timescale on it. He also said that he isn't in any pain.

The foal (he's about five months) seems happy in himself, eating normally and very friendly but seems quite lethargic at times ie. being led and getting up from lying down.

I have an option to keep him in a field with good shelter and other youngsters for company and see how he goes but I really just want to do the best for him as he had such a bad start in life. Is there any chance it could improve? Is there anything I can do to help?

Any advice or experiences would be really appreciated!
 
I know somebody with a retriever diagnosed with heart problems as a puppy who wasn't supposed to live very long - said dog is now mid-teens! If I were you I would see how the foal goes. For all you know the lethargy may be due to his malnutrition and he may pick up after a while

At least if you give him the chance of a nice life with other youngsters you will have done all you can, even if it does end up being shorter than hoped.
 
That's sad news, but I would see how the foal goes. Murmurs tend to stay the same or worsen rather than get better on their own. I have a heart murmur, which was repaired (faulty valve) and needs repairing again :( and yes I tire more quickly, but it's not a painful condition and it just means that the heart struggles when exerted through anything very physical. Good luck - he sounds like he deserves a chance.
 
Thanks for the replies. Luckily I have the facilities so he can have a few months (or years) just enjoying life but obviously if he starts to struggle, I'll do what's best. Poor little guy didn't get a good start at life in the first place so it'll be nice to let him enjoy being a baby and be well looked after for a while anyway.
 
Hi, I've recently taken on a 17 month old tb x welsh c who was in an awful state, seriously malnourished but his ribs are slowly going! Found out on Wednesday when the vet came out to do a blood test query kidney problem he has a grade 5 heart murmur, I'm devastated and feel like wrapping him up in cotton wool, he was only destined to be a happy hacker for my children, maybe a bit of light competing locally but mostly he was just for us to spoil and fuss over. His blood tests luckily came back clear and looks like his only issue is his heart just gutted the vet has told us he can never be ridden, I'm scared of what his life expectancy and feel like wrapping him up in cotton wool but know he needs to live like a normal horse, he's such a lovely little boy and so well natured considering what he has been through, has anyone got any experience? :(
 
Ciara121 said:
Hi All,

I've been using this forum for years but never posted before. I took on a badly neglected foal two weeks ago and I've recently been told by the vet that he has a severe heart murmur. I listened to it myself and there is a clear 'whooshing' noise after each beat. The vet said that his life would most definitely be shortened though he would not put a timescale on it. He also said that he isn't in any pain.

The foal (he's about five months) seems happy in himself, eating normally and very friendly but seems quite lethargic at times ie. being led and getting up from lying down.

I have an option to keep him in a field with good shelter and other youngsters for company and see how he goes but I really just want to do the best for him as he had such a bad start in life. Is there any chance it could improve? Is there anything I can do to help?

Any advice or experiences would be really appreciated!
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What a shame. However, I agree that, if you have the facilities, time and experience then go for it and give the little chap a chance. You'll know when/if he begins to struggle. Good luck and hope to hear better news in a few months time!
 
Maybe not quite the same, but one of my foals was born with a bad heart. So bad that when she was born her backs legs swelled up so badly that she couldn't stand up. The vet said she had a hole in her heart and that it may or may not get better. The noise was amazing to hear, so much whooshing that it was difficult to hear the heart at all.

She was checked every year, and it got Quieter and quieter. Next year she'll be 21, has lead a very healthy life and competed in all disciplines.
 
We had a horse with a Grade 3 in the yard. He galloped and raced for 6 years. Won, lost, in between. We just took his fittening program slower each year after his holidays - he was given 4-6weeks longer than anyone else to get fit. He died aged 10 from a broken back on the racecourse and had nothing at all to do with his heart.

My friend has just taken on a 5yo tb mare (chestnut) *rolls eyes* with a Grade 5 and whilst she is currently living out ok she always struggled in training as a racehorse - hence why she never made it to the track - and she appears to be struggling with the small bits of work she is asked to do.

I wouldn't be put off of a horse with a heart murmur as a happy hacker so long as it didn't exceed Grade 3 but I wouldn't really want one as a competition horse.
 
Actually they often do improve, they get worse if a horse is underweight or been suffering from a virus but certainly can improve, I was given this information today by email from Lesley young the equine cardiologist :)
 
Sorry to hear your news. Obviously I can't comment on your foal's prognosis but from my own experience: I had a horse who lived until 30 - he had been in the army, evented, was going to be an olympic showjumper but was spun due to the heart murmur, team chased, raced and hunted - right up until he was retired at nearly 25. I also still have a horse who is nearly 28 - he was raced successfully, team chased and hunted, and was retired at 23 ish. Both were strong and fit and never suffered any adverse effects due to their murmurs - and they were considered bad murmurs. I suspect only time will tell, but unless you've been told not to carry on as normal as he won't cope with it, I'd be inclined to follow your original plans and then see what's what. Best of luck with your foal :)
 
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