A strong heart is the foundation of every performance horse, trail companion, and beloved equine partner. At Countryside Equine Hospital, we've partnered with Dr. Dorothy Whelchel, DVM, DACVIM ("Dr. Dee"), a board-certified large animal internal medicine specialist, to bring advanced equine cardiology diagnostics directly to our Covington, GA equine hospital. Whether your horse has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, is experiencing unexplained performance decline, or needs a comprehensive cardiac workup, our team has the expertise and technology to deliver answers.
Concerned about your horse's heart health? Call today to schedule a cardiac evaluation.
What is Equine Cardiology?
Equine cardiology is the branch of veterinary medicine focused on diagnosing and managing diseases and conditions of the horse's cardiovascular system. While cardiac disease is not common in horses, they are susceptible to cardiac conditions that can impact performance, quality of life, and longevity.
Common equine cardiac conditions we can evaluate and monitor include:
Arrhythmias
Heart rhythm disturbances, including atrial fibrillation, may be asymptomatic or associated with poor performance, weakness, and even collapse.
Cardiac murmurs
caused by valvular disease, such as mitral or aortic valve regurgitation, benign turbulent blood flow, or congenital heart defects
Myocarditis
inflammation of the heart muscle
Pericardial disease
fluid accumulation around the heart
Congenital cardiac defects
structural abnormalities present from birth
While murmurs and arrhythmias are the most common reasons your horse may need a cardiac exam, we also perform comprehensive cardiac evaluations for horses with poor performance and exercise intolerance. Accurate diagnosis through advanced diagnostics is key to effective management of horses with these conditions.
What Equine Cardiology Diagnostics Do You Offer?
At Countryside Equine Hospital, we offer comprehensive mobile cardiac diagnostics delivered stall-side by Dr. Whelchel and our team. From structural heart imaging to rhythm monitoring at rest and during exercise, our advanced diagnostic capabilities are designed to provide the clearest, most complete picture of your horse's cardiovascular health. As a local, private practice, we’re able to offer significantly faster scheduling and greater convenience than many specialty clinics or university hospitals—without the added stress of long-distance travel for you or your horse.
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram, or cardiac ultrasound, is one of the most powerful tools in equine cardiology. Using high-frequency sound waves, Dr. Whelchel produces real-time images of your horse's heart structure and function, allowing our team to:
- Measure chamber sizes and wall thickness
- Assess value integrity and function
- Detect and quantify regurgitation or abnormal blood flow
- Identify fluid around the heart
- Evaluate congenital defects
- Monitor the progression of known cardiac conditions over time
Echocardiography is non-invasive, and provides immediate detailed information. It is an invaluable tool for diagnosing and managing horses with heart conditions.
Electrocardiography (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of your horse's heart, allowing our equine veterinarians to detect and classify arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms that may not be audible on physical exam alone.
Resting ECG:
A resting ECG is a baseline ECG performed to help identify arrhythmias present at rest, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular premature contractions.
Exercising ECG:
Some arrhythmias only appear or worsen during exertion. An exercising ECG records cardiac electrical activity while the horse is ridden or worked on a lunge line. This is especially valuable for:
- Horses with exercise intolerance or unexplained poor performance
- Horses with intermittent arrhythmias not detected at rest
- Post-treatment monitoring following cardiac therapy
24-Hour Holter Monitoring
For horses with suspected intermittent arrhythmias, a 24-hour Holter study provides a continuous ECG recording over an extended period. A lightweight monitor is fitted to your horse, recording every heartbeat across an entire day and capturing arrhythmias that might be missed during a brief clinic visit. This is one of the most comprehensive tools available in equine cardiology for characterizing rhythm disturbances and assessing their clinical significance.
Trust Countryside Equine Hospital with Your Horse's Heart
Cardiac conditions in horses require timely diagnosis, specialized expertise, and thoughtful, individualized management. Through our partnership with Dr. Whelchel, Countryside Equine Hospital now brings advanced equine cardiology diagnostics, including mobile echocardiograms, resting and exercising ECGs, and 24-hour Holter studies to horses throughout Covington, GA and the surrounding North Georgia region.
Your primary veterinarian remains your partner throughout the entire process, working hand-in-hand with Dr. Whelchel and our team to ensure seamless, coordinated care tailored to your horse's individual needs.
Don't wait when your horse's heart is at stake. Call today to schedule an equine cardiology consultation.