Heart Problem - any treatment?

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Orangehorse

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Trying to see if insurers will pay for further investigations -

split heart sounds with systolic mummur and occasional AV block

The horse unexpectedly failed a vetting.
 
Did the vet say how loud the murmur was or which heart sound was split? Did the AV block go when the horse was exercised?

To be honest these findings may not be of clinical significance; both split heart sounds and AV block are commonly incidental findings, and a quiet heart murmur is usually nothing to worry about, but I would see if your insurance company will pay for investigation, particularly if you are trying to sell the horse as these issues may crop up again.
 
Yes, we are going to contact the insurance company to see if they will pay for the investigations and the vets have given a referral vet. Our vet said he would never pass a vetting at the moment.

The vetting didn't get as far as the exercise phase, as the problems were heard when the horse was at rest.
 
Everything you have described could be within normal limits. Before investigating I would get a second opinion unless you vet is an experienced 100% equine vet. Heart sounds in horses are always split and I am suprised any one commented on it - sounds like small animal vet. Occasional AV block also completely normal and sign of good fitness. Systolic murmur can be functional and disappear with exercise and therefor not signifiicant.
 
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Well that is a bit more encouraging, although to be fair both vets - the one doing the vetting and our own vet - are horse vets.

I have heard of horses with heart mummurs that were due to anaemia and others when they improved a lot with fitness. The horse is in regular work, although not strenuous (or was, we don't know if it can be ridden at the moment).
 
Well it looks like you need to have his heart ultrasound scanned then - echocardiography. A systolic murmur that is significant is usually caused by a faulty valve. Treatment of heart conditions is pretty limited in the horse because the results are unlikely to be successfull enough for the horse to meet the demands of required athletic ability - unlike dogs who can just sit around the house. If you are insured for vet fees then it should be covered. To get a proper equine cardiologist to scan will probably be £300-£500 depending on travel costs. Maybe cheaper if theres one near you. Fingers crossed it is not too serious.
 
Well thanks for the information, quite useful. I think we will go for the further investigations anyway just to be sure, otherwise we will be looking at him and wondering if we could ride him! It is a shame as he is a nice little horse and we have been doing dressage and cross country with him!
 
I think AV block is what my horse had when he was diagnosed as 2nd Degree heart block. I was horrified at the diagnosis but was told its of no consequence and it isn't and as Sam 22 said it is often a sign of fitness and nothing to worry about.
 
got told yesterday my horse had a heart murmur at the age of 5 !
my insurance company are willing to pay for the scan - we just have to pay the first £100 (or something like tha), our vet advised NOT to ride until a scan has been done to see the sriousness of the condition, It is a pretty straight forward rocedure but apprently no real cure :/
hope your horse is fine :)
 
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