Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) in horses is a congenital heart defect with a septal hole causing abnormal blood flow.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart condition in horses in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). This allows oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix, which can lead to a variety of problems, including decreased oxygen supply to the body, increased pressure in the heart, and turbulent blood flow.

Symptoms

  • Yellow gums
  • Reduced Performance
  • Lethargic
  • High respiration
  • Labored respiration
  • Coughing
  • High heart rate
  • Abnormal beat
  • Pulsating Jugular Vein
  • Weightloss

Common in

  • Thoroughbreds

Treatment

Treatment options for VSD in horses include:

Medications such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors to help manage symptoms and reduce pressure in the heart; surgery to repair the hole in the septum, which is a complex and high-risk procedure but can be successful in some cases; lifestyle changes such as reducing the horse’s level of exercise to help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

It’s important to note that VSD 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

It’s important to note that VSD is a congenital condition, which means that it is present at birth and cannot be prevented. However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of developing the condition or to slow its progression, 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.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

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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