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Heart Valve Dysplasia

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Heart valve dysplasia is a congenital heart condition in horses in which one or more of the heart valves are malformed or do not function properly. This can lead to a variety of problems, including leakage of blood through the valve, turbulent blood flow, and pressure changes in the heart chambers.

Symptoms

  • Reduced performance
  • Lethargic
  • Respiratory distress
  • Coughing
  • Blueish/Greyish
  • Weightloss
  • Edema
  • Fainting

Common in

  • Thoroughbreds
  • Standardbreds
  • Gelding
  • Stallion
  • Old horses

Treatment

Treatment options for heart valve dysplasia in horses vary depending on the severity of the condition and the symptoms the horse is experiencing. In mild cases, treatment may not be necessary and the horse can live a normal life with regular veterinary monitoring.

In more severe cases, treatment may include:

Medications: Such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and anti-arrhythmic drugs, to help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

Surgery: Such as valve replacement or repair, which is a complex and high-risk procedure but it can help to improve the quality of life of the horse and extend their life expectancy.

Lifestyle changes: Such as reducing the horse’s level of exercise and providing a low-salt diet, may also be recommended to help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

It’s important to note that heart valve dysplasia is a chronic condition and it cannot be cured. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for the horse.

Prevention

Heart valve dysplasia is a congenital condition, which means that it is present at birth and cannot be prevented.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

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