ECG of the month. Ventricular tachycardia in a horse.

The study involves the clinical examination of a four-year-old horse that was trapped under a collapsed barn for 30 minutes. The horse exhibited signs of distress like trembling, rapid heartbeat, and lameness in the right hind limb, among other symptoms. Over time, it developed a rapid irregular heartbeat with no other signs of discomfort. The biochemical analysis of the serum showed variably low concentrations of certain minerals and higher than normal levels of blood glucose and certain enzyme activities.

Medical Examination

• The horse had been trapped under a barn that had collapsed for about half an hour.
• Initial symptoms included trembling, tachycardia (increased heart rate), tachypnea (rapid breathing), and lameness in the right hind limb.
• The horse also had superficial wounds and was hypoproteinemic, meaning it had lower than normal levels of protein in the blood.

Initial Treatment

• The horse was treated with dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response.
• Phenylbutazone, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain and inflammation, was administered.
• It was also given Lactated Ringer’s solution, a fluid replacement used to treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Development of Additional Symptoms

• The following day, the horse’s heart rate increased dramatically without any apparent distress.

Biochemical Analysis

• The results of a serum biochemical analysis showed low levels of potassium, phosphorus, chloride, calcium, and magnesium compared to the reference ranges. This suggests that the horse could have an electrolyte imbalance.
• The horse had high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which may result from stress or other underlying health issues.
• Significantly high levels of enzymes named aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were found, which could indicate damage to certain organs like the liver or muscles.
• A complete blood count (CBC) was conducted and showed a high level of white blood cells (leukocytosis) which indicates that an infection might be present in the horse’s body.