Quarter horse Kody gains some golden years through care of Equine Medical Center at Leesburg

Deanna Zagin and registered quarter horse gelding Kody were together for 20 years and enjoyed an amazing partnership and bond.

That partnership gained some years through timely diagnosis and treatment of Kody’s heart arrythmia issues at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, one of three animal healthcare facilities and teaching hospitals of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, based at Virginia Tech’s main campus in Blacksburg.

Stars Incredible Jim, aka Kody, recently died at the age of 32, but Zagin still wanted to share the incredible story of her “once in a lifetime horse.”

Zagin had done extensive natural horsemanship training with Kody, and they logged many miles on the trail. Zagin describes Kody as having been a fun and loving character who would do anything for one of her homemade cookies. She shared that he was loved by everyone and was often called “The Horse Ambassador.”   

Krista Estell, clinical associate professor of equine medicine, reports that Kody, to her knowledge, is the longest-known survivor of arrhythmia unifocal ventricular tachycardia, a condition that causes the heart to fire rapidly, resulting in a fast and irregular heartbeat, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure.  

“Dr. Estell and her amazing team saved Kody’s life,” Zagin said. “He received phenomenal care. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Estell, her team and everyone who made it possible to log many more miles on our walks in the woods. We celebrated his 32nd birthday in March!”  

Heart, kidney problems diagnosed

In 2018, equine veterinarian Jana Froeling of Full Circle Equine Services in Amissville, Virginia, was called to evaluate Kody on the farm after the owner, Zagin, reported intermittent bloody nasal discharge that had become increasingly frequent over time.  At that time, Kody displayed no other signs of exercise intolerance or coughing that could indicate a heart issue.  

Froeling referred Kody to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center for a computed tomography (CT) evaluation of a suspected ethmoid hematoma.  

When Kody arrived for treatment at Leesburg, Estell, and resident Kevin Connolly noticed his extremely high heart rate of 120 beats per minute - the normal heart rate of an adult horse is 28-48 beats per minute. 

A cardiac evaluation was recommended, and an echocardiogram was subsequently performed. This revealed pathologic arrhythmia unifocal ventricular tachycardia. 

A complete blood count and venous blood gas was completed in the EMC in-house laboratory, both of which were within normal ranges. A blood sample was submitted for cardiac troponin testing. This test measures troponin proteins in the blood to help diagnose conditions that could damage Kody’s heart muscle. This value is elevated when muscle damage occurs.   

With his dangerous heart rhythm and diagnostics pending, Kody was admitted for treatment and monitoring. He was given IV fluids, magnesium, anti-inflammatories, and anti-antiarrhythmics. His heart rate and rhythm were assessed every four hours overnight, and by the following morning his heart rate and rhythm normalized. 

On the third day of hospitalization, Kody spiked a temperature. A repeat blood count was performed and identified a low white blood cell count, consistent with an underlying infection. Kody was immediately moved to the center’s isolation building where he continued his IV fluids and started on broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy.   

Additional diagnostics were also performed including urinalysis and blood work which revealed acute kidney injury and echocardiogram that identified bacterial endocarditis. This is a rare but serious bacterial infection of the endocardium lining inside the heart and valves, which can cause fever, lethargy, weight loss, and heart failure. The results of an abdominal ultrasound indicated enlargement and altered appearance of the right kidney, consistent with his diagnosis of acute kidney injury.     

Over the next two days, Kody’s condition deteriorated.  

After his initial regression, 24-hour care started to make an impact, and Kody began to steadily improve. His appetite returned and his temperature remained in the normal range. Kody’s white blood cell count also improved, and he recovered normal kidney function. 

Kody was ready to go home!

Continued care 

Kody returned home with medication, and comprehensive instructions to keep him quiet and calm during his recovery period. A recheck echocardiogram appointment in one month was recommended.   

 “The care did not stop after Kody was discharged from the hospital after his first visit. As busy as the doctors are, they made the time to take my calls and check on Kody, said Zagin. 

Once a year, Estell traveled to Zagin’s barn to check on Kody and to perform a repeat echocardiogram. On the most recent visit in October, Kody was in great body condition, with a shiny and smooth haircoat. His heart rhythm was normal, and although he continued to have valvular regurgitation (back-flow through incompetent heart valves), with continued treatment, the gelding did not have overt signs of heart failure and remained comfortable and bright. 

These yearly visits ensured that Kody had the correct level of medication to remain comfortable in his golden years.    

Estell has a special interest in the treatment of heart-related issues in horses. Heart disease can affect horses of all ages and breeds and can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life). State-of-the-art ultrasound equipment with a specialty echocardiogram package available at the EMC enables Estell to assess the heart’s anatomy, size, and function, as well as intra-cardiac blood flow. 

Kody's remarkable longevity, despite numerous clinical challenges, stands as a testament to the exceptional care provided by the Equine Medical Center team, and the unwavering love and dedication of his owner, Deanna Zagin, (with the support of Kevin Coffin and the Meadowood Barn Staff).