Megan's ultrasound results :(

[Imp]

Megan does indeed have a hole in her heart :(

It is small, but there and has been since birth so the vetting vet should have informed me at stage one of the process. The vet said she is unlikely to collapse through exertion, something I'm getting increasingly obsessive about :(

Megan was such a good girl throughout the process, which lasted about an hour and a half. The only bit she was upset about was the clippers, which surprised me because I was told she was great to clip, just stood there, everything else the seller told me about her has borne out so I've no reason to suspect that was any different. The visiting vet said perhaps she was upset because she shaved under her armpits and that's not the usual place to begin. She actually panicked and barged me, daughter, vet and her partner and he had to twitch her briefly. She was fine after that and at one point was so bored with proceedings going on under her armpit because they had to push quite hard to get a picture she remained standing still but stamped a back foot up and down to let her displeasure be known :rolleyes:

I had to ask a fellow livery owner to ride her because she had to sustain a canter and my back and neck are barely up to a gentle trot yet. Poor girl, she is used to her push button ride, Megan needs more... coaxing, shall we say, to get a turn of speed on :cool: She did really well though and cantered her round and the vet stood in the corner of the school with her laptop (Megan had previously been taped up to a wireless ECG machine and they watched from the laptop). Really cool technology and I saw her heart and the 'hole' and had an interesting physiology lesson too :D

The long and short of it is, I wouldn't have bought her had I been made aware of the issue; that her resale value is markedly affected because she will only ever be a 'first' horse and buyers in that market will want to ensure no issues (like I did); my insurance company may impose an annual medical including a scan which will be costly; that psychologically I'm finding it hard to ride her, I winced hearing her snorting and puffing out of breath when being worked this afternoon, I know I need to toughen up but it's so difficult.

On the bright side, Meg stood in her stable and was hand fed carrots and apples for an hour and a half and was bought in tonight totally unphased, other than a sideways old fashioned look at her saddle, bless her.

My daughter will ride her on Tuesday evening and I'm riding again at the weekend, we may decide on a bit of loose schooling mid week too to help get her moving around a bit more.

The vet advised me to put the matter in the hands of a solicitor and that she would inform the Professional Negligence Insurance company that their Member had missed this issue during the vetting process :mad: :mad: :mad:

Thanks for all your hugs, support and good vibes (Domane, your pictures made me laugh out loud, Cherry and your daughter will thank you for those precious moments captured on film in years to come :D :p )

[janhebb]

Oh Imp, I do feel for you. You have two issues; one that you have been diddled by the vetting process and two that you have a lovely horse with whom you have formed a bond. The two do not make for an easy life, because compensation wont mend the hole.

Whatever you decide to do and however it goes from here, we are thinking of you.

J

[flump1967]

What an awful situation. I am so sorry. Did the vet specify exactly what Megan will be up to doing? Are there any warning signs to watch out for that would say things were causing her problems?
She is such a sweet girl.

[ambatt]

I am so sorry to hear the outcome, how sad for you all. However, it seems Megan can live a useful life, just a more careful one.

I think once you get over your shock at her confirmed diagnosis you will be able to see things more clearly and re-negotiate your feelings towards Megan.

[BeachRiding]

Aww, that's too bad, I'm sorry to hear it! Good luck with her!

[happy highlande]

Not much I can add to the rest except more {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}

What did the vet say when she was cantering?? Sounds like she coped OK with a lot more than you want to do at present - though that wouldn't stop you worrying.

Keep us posted an keep coming back for hugs - you deserve them

[RustyMary]

So sorry Imp - it's awful to be let down by professionals we trust (and pay for :mad: ). Supportive ((((hugs)))) from Slovenia :(

[domane]

Oh thank goodness you posted, I have been thinking about you all day......

Oh dear! What a pickle! You knew the worst news but having it confirmed and visually so must have been hard - final nail in the coffin type of thing eh?

You are going to have to get your head round and over the "exertion" thing.... I am sure that general riding (which as far as I am aware, is all you wanted the lovely Megan for anyway?) will be fine and if you can keep a handle on her weight and slowly and gently get her fit you will be doing all that you can to keep her happy and healthy. But I guess knowing what you do now she will always need special treatment anyway. I know that I would treat Cherry exactly the same way if it were her... I too would be scared to put any strain on her heart. This is where I get ignorant though, if Megan is given an easy time of it work-wise, does this become detrimental to her? I mean, if she is unfit would that put extra strain on her heart?? What kind of workload had she been used to coping with before you bought her, Imp? Purely from a "what was she used to coping with before anyone knew about her heart" angle?? You will just have to teach her to speak so that when she starts getting a bit out of puff, she can tell you... :D

In any case, you and your family all obviously adore her and dote on her and I therefore think you need to think a life-plan for your carrot-crunching, clipper-hating darling rather than thinking of selling her.

And, bottom line, if you win the case, would you get your money back?

Thinking of you {{{ hugs }}}
(glad piccies helped - I don't think I will be challenging David Bailey yet!!! :D )

[HairyCob]

OH, Imp, I'm so sorry. I can't really add much to what everyone else has said- she is still 'your' Megan, and will probably be up to what you want her for, although I know that isn't the point.

I also know the feeling about not feeling very confident riding a horse with a heart issue- I've found myself being very over protective of Dolly, telling my YO's in no uncertain terms that she WILL only be WALKED for the first month once her saddle is here and that I will be dictating the pace of her 'fittening' routine:rolleyes: Despite being assured by my vet that she is 'unlikely' to drop dead under me, I can't help thinking that sod's law being what it is...:eek:

Have you had any thoughts about where you go from here?

[LizH]

It's all been said already , just wanted to add my good wishes and the hope that , as you get more information , you'll begin to feel more confident about riding her.Good Luck xx:)

[Alle]

I am also sad to hear this news confirmed. :( You did everything right and yet were let down in the end. However, it is probably the very best thing to have happened for Megan...to have found someone who will keep her best interests at heart. I so hope that you will at least get financial compensation to bear the brunt of any vet bills etc., but I truly believe that Megan can be all that you wished for despite her heart condition. Best of luck!

[cazrider]

So sorry Imp, but at least you now know. :( The vet did say she would only be suitable for a first horse, but that is what you want isn't it? Hopefully the negligence case will get you somewhere, so that you will at least be able to coveryour costs with Megan.

Try not to let it get you down too much. She is the same horse and you love her. easy to say I know. thinking of you.:) :( :)

[Caz&Irena]

So sorry to hear that:( but she sounds a lovely girl and as others have said once you get used to the situation I'm sure you will cope. Good luck with the negligence case.

Caz:)

[cloang]

I am so sorry it was bad news. keep us informed on what happens. Loads of love for both of you.

ang

[katieB]

It makes me mad to think that this should have been picked up :mad:
I can totally see where youre coming from with panicking about riding her, I think we'd all be the same. Im sure in time you will learn enough about her workload to feel comfortable about working her. Chin up :)

[KarinUS]

Sorry, I am coming in kind of late on this. It sounds like you purchased a horse and the initial vet check did not reveal the heart problem but you already purchased her at this point?
I hope you two (or three) will still be able to have a long and happy life together.

[Little Dolphins]

I can imagine your fears about riding Megan and wondering what would amount to 'too much' exertion. I expect though, if she's quietly ridden, this will help her fitness levels and general health, which can only improve matters for you both? Megan may surprise you, as you both grow in your activities, that she can do more without puffing and blowing than at first.

Imp, it sounds as though you have really begun to know her ways, characterwise, and are making a great bond. I do hope the mist begins to clear and you can see a good way forward with this situation.

xxx

[lisae]

Let's hope that the insurance company for the vet that missed this will step up to the plate and settle promptly, so you don't have to spend too much on an attorney.

Try to focus on the vet saying she's not likely to collapse on exertion! Tough spot to be in but she is a cute horse.

[Imp]

Just popped back to say thank you all for your kind words and support. I know that Megan will be ok with us, we love her. My daughter got quite upset at the thought that we may semi retire her on full loan and purchase another horse so that's that decided, she STAYS :D

You are all quite right of course, this doesn't change the girl in my stable does it, she's still Megan and none of this is known to her. I really must get a grip over my irrational psychological fear of riding her and seeing others exerting her or she'll never fitten up, and getting fit is definitely in her best interests. Time will be the making of us all :D

[RustyMary]

Great to hear you sounding so positive Imp - well done!

[NoviceNic]

Wow I am sorry this has happened IMP. Talk about having your bubble burst. :( I just hope that you can get some satisfaction from knowing that the original vet who performed 5* can be brought to justice somehow :mad: . In the meantime you just keep spoiling Megan with carrotts and apples. She will love you for it..:D

[sidesaddlelady1]

Oh Imp, I do feel for you. You have two issues; one that you have been diddled by the vetting process and two that you have a lovely horse with whom you have formed a bond. The two do not make for an easy life, because compensation wont mend the hole.

Whatever you decide to do and however it goes from here, we are thinking of you.

J

If you get compensation will you have to surrender the horse in return? Are you likely to be put in the position that the precious owner/keeper refunds your money and takes the horse back? Raises a soup of moral issues, doesn't it?

[janhebb]

I am guessing that any compensation will be paid by the vet who missed the problem. Imp did the right thing in getting Megan vetted and that was where the error seems to have been. If that is right then Imp will be able to keep Megan.

But how to calculate the amount of compensation payable is a difficult question for the Insurers I suppose.

J

[Bay Mare]

I'm sorry to hear that she's got a hole :( I'm presuming that it's in the atrium?

The good news is that if it's congenital then it's likely to stay as it is.

I don't know about equine cardiology but there is a procedure in human cardiology whereby they can close the hole off using an 'umbrella' or 'button' type of device. It might be worth looking into and could be a good use of the compensation!! I have a friend who is a product manager in congenital cardiac products so could make some enquiries as to how viable it would be to have a device made or if, indeed, there is one already available. The procedure (in humans, I've done them predominantly in babies/children) is very simple and quick and closes the hole so if there isn't any other pathology then the problem is fixed.

She's very lucky to have you but please pursue this as it is truly negligent not to have picked this up.

All the best to you both


x

[Bronya]

It sounds like the vet did a full work up, and if he says she's unlikely to collapse through exertion, she's probably up to hacking and dressage and all the fun stuff you might want to do.
There's a little boy who was in my class last year at school (I teach) with a hole in his heart, and he plays football, goes running, does athletics in the summer, went on PGL (outdoor adventure holiday) etc. He knows his own limits, and slows down if he's too out of breath. The fitter he is, the healthier he is as well, since although his heart doesn't do the best job in the world, the stronger and fitter IT gets, the better the job it does! In the long run you'll probably find that although it means you have to be sensible, she probably gets less other injuries because you ARE looking out for her all the time. She sounds a lovely girl, enjoy her!

[coverblown]

Dear Imp

I am so sorry to hear about Megans heart, that your fears turn out to be founded. You must pursue this for some compensation...

Please do keep fittening up Megan. I remember bringing home my hole in the heart son from the hospital, terrified at having to live with an "ill" child. Dearest hubby was having none of it, this child was to be fit and active, not pampered and Ciaran spent the most active childhood, long jumping, football team, street hockey team, and he excelled at swimming, qualifying for, and being a finalist in the national championships - 200 metres butterfly - 8 lengths - butterfly.
He's 19 next month and applying for sport at University; I know that he is human and Megan's a horse but I'm sure the principles are the same. I hope you soon can put this behind you (once you have got the value and insurance issues sorted out) and enjoy a happy and active life with her. She is such a sweetheart.

Anne

[Whatanejit]

Hi Imp,

Just back from hols today and catching up on all the news.

You are so sensible through all of this and what your lovely daughter is going through too is an emotional roller coaster. You'll do the right thing for all of you when all the facts, predictions and expectations are collated.

Fingers crossed this is just a mega hiccup and you can carry on enjoying the little madam for many years ;)

Lots of love and hugs.

Dee