Equine Ausclatation

Question 1

What is a Nonpathological murmurs (‘Ejection-type’)

Answer 1

Functional murmurs without organic heart disease
Upto 66% horses have systolic functional murmurs
Usually < grade III early to mid-systolic & decrescendo

Question 2

What is a Metabolic murmur and what can be the cause of it

Answer 2

Increased turbulence of bloodflow due to decreased viscosity
Anaemia
Babesia
Severe thrombocytopaenia
Altered haemodynamics
Altered peripheral resistance- CColic

Question 3

What are some common systolic pathological murmurs in horses

Answer 3

Ventricular septal defect
Tricuspid valve regurgitation
Mitral insufficiency
Acute onset following rupture of chordae tendinae

Question 4

What are some common diastolic pathological murmurs in horses

Answer 4

Aortic insufficiency

Question 5

Is a horse with VSD suitable for breeding and athletic use?

Answer 5

No! Unless normal RV value normal IVS motion on ECG

Question 6

Risk factors for VSD for horses

Answer 6

More likely to be diagnosed initially in young animals
Arab foals~3.5% incidence of congenital heart disease
Also in Welsh ponies

Question 7

What is Aortic insufficiency

Answer 7

where the aortic valve no longer functions adequately to control the flow of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta

Question 8

Treatment for bacterial endocarditis in the horse

Answer 8

Gentamicin (6.6 mg/kg QID) and penicillin G (50,000 iu/kg QID IV) prior to bacterial culture results