Heart Murmur Detected

[Beachbabe]

Had the vet out for their vaccs this afternoon and both behaved impeccably without being held. Thank goodness for sensible animals.
However, the vet detected a heart murmur in our older pony. He said it was slight and most likely atrial regurgitation, at least I think that's what he said.
Pony is no longer ridden, other than an amble round the block a couple of times a year, but comes out with me when I take the big fella out. I had noticed in the last year that he was puffing more and I did wonder if it was his heart. It was a new vet and I didn't question him further, but I thought I'd ask the font of all knowledge as I know there are probably plenty of you out there with ponies with similar issues, is there anything extra I can do to help him?
I keep a good eye on his weight anyway as he's on such light work. He's slightly overweight, but nothing much. Ribs can be felt easily and he doesn't have a grass belly or crest. I shall continue to take him out for long walks with his friend, but maybe slacken off the cantering now? If he feels up to a blast, he can have one in the field. I have very much let him take the lead with his health for a few years now.
Any suggestions? I feel we have reached a milestone as this is the first real sign of him ageing

 

[Equi]

I have two things to say. One, i have a heart murmur however it has been from birth and never caused any issue to me (tho i tend to blame it now and then when im out of puff cause im fat) Two, my elderly dog had a heart murmur detected when he was beginning to look bloated (had been on loxicom for arthritis for a while). It turned out his kidneys were not looking so hot and the murmur got worse very fast and the tablets prescribed to help him actually killed him (the vet did say it was a 50/50 help or hinder type situation so it was no unexpected!) This is not something i think will happen to your pony any time soon but do be more aware of other issues and maybe think twice about giving any medication like painkillers etc long term as it will all affect the heart. I have always been told to keep my teeth super clean and be careful of infections etc so maybe make a point of looking at his teeth a little more regularly. But for the most part let him dictate to you how he is feeling.

 

[Beachbabe]

I have two things to say. One, i have a heart murmur however it has been from birth and never caused any issue to me (tho i tend to blame it now and then when im out of puff cause im fat) Two, my elderly dog had a heart murmur detected when he was beginning to look bloated (had been on loxicom for arthritis for a while). It turned out his kidneys were not looking so hot and the murmur got worse very fast and the tablets prescribed to help him actually killed him (the vet did say it was a 50/50 help or hinder type situation so it was no unexpected!) This is not something i think will happen to your pony any time soon but do be more aware of other issues and maybe think twice about giving any medication like painkillers etc long term as it will all affect the heart. I have always been told to keep my teeth super clean and be careful of infections etc so maybe make a point of looking at his teeth a little more regularly. But for the most part let him dictate to you how he is feeling.

Thank you. Yes I remember that poor teeth can lead to heart disease in us, so presumably the same with them. They are due a teeth check soon, so I will make sure the vet is aware of his heart murmur then. Doesn't do any harm to remind them. He's not on any medication thank goodness as he is the world's worst at taking any. He can sniff anything non food in his tea a mile away. I will definitely keep a closer eye on him, but let him come out with us in the cooler weather as he gets stressed out when left behind. Thanks again.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We had a young vet come out to do routine vacs, she listened to the elderly cob's heart and said that there was a problem - can't remember if it was a murmur or something else.

Then I had a vet qualified dentist come to do teeth, I explained what the young vet had said , dentist couldn't hear anything odd. so then I got the senior vet from the first practice out. He couldn't find any problem either. So if I were you, OP, I would get a 2nd opinion.

 

[Beachbabe]

We had a young vet come out to do routine vacs, she listened to the elderly cob's heart and said that there was a problem - can't remember if it was a murmur or something else.

Then I had a vet qualified dentist come to do teeth, I explained what the young vet had said , dentist couldn't hear anything odd. so then I got the senior vet from the first practice out. He couldn't find any problem either. So if I were you, OP, I would get a 2nd opinion.

Thanks. It’ll be a different practice next time due to house move, so I’ll drop it casually into the conversation. It does fit tho as I’ve noticed his stamina and puff has quite reduced over the last twelve months.