Examination of a horse’s upper airway structures (larynx, pharynx, soft palate) at rest and during exercise will include endoscopy and overground endoscopy. This allows our clinicians to diagnose a wide range of respiratory abnormalities quickly and accurately. A cardiology examination typically involves echocardiography, an ECG (electrocardiogram) at rest, and an exercising ECG if indicated. This allows us to investigate a number of disorders, most notably those associated with heart murmurs and dysrhythmias.
Heart murmurs are common in all types of horses and ponies. They are often detected during pre-purchase examinations and this can lead to considerable concern over their possible future impact on the horse’s suitability for intended use. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the heart murmur is not indicative of any major heart disease and, once a full evaluation has been completed, the horse will ‘pass the vetting’.
ECGs can now be obtained very simply, using modern digital equipment. This has proven to be invaluable for examining horses at rest and under simulated race, event or endurance race conditions. Please contact our internal medicine team for further information.
Please contact our internal medicine team on 01638 577754 for further information or to refer a case.