Vegetative endocarditis in the equine species : litterature review from 2 clinical cases | Endocardite vegetante dans l'espece equine : revue de litterature a partir de 2 cas cliniques
2000
Amory, H. (Universite de Liege (Belgium). Faculte de Medecine veterinaire, Service de medecine interne des grands animaux) | Christmann, U. | Cassart, D. | Caudron, I. | Snaps, F. | Linden, A. | Godeau, J.M.
Two standardbred stallions suffering from a vegetative endocarditis were referred to our hospital. Case 1 had a 2-weeks history of recurring laminitis, fever, ataxia and seizures-like episodes. It presented tachycardia, boundary facial pulse and grade 6/6 pandiastolic murmur maximal over the aortic area. From day 6 of hospitalisation, hindlimbs lameness, multiple joint swellings, jugular pulse, grade 3/6 holosystolic murmur maximal over the mitral area and cardiac arrythmia developed. Case 2 had been first presented for evaluation of a severe bilateral osteochondrosis dissecans of the stifles. Poor bodily condition, weight loss and tachycardia were also noticed. Three weeks later, the horse was again presented because of an acute onset of coughing, bilateral nasal discharge and dyspnea. Clinical signs evidenced at the first visit were still present. Moreover, clinical examination revealed fever, respiratory crackles, multiple joint swellings, and grade 4/6 holosystolic murmur maximal over the mitral area. In both cases, hemoculture was negative, and blood analyses demonstrated severe chronic inflammation and hyperbetaglobulinemia. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated irregular echogenic masses located on the aortic (case 1) or mitral (case 2) valves, and signs of congestive left heart failure. After 6 days of treatment, case 1 showed a worsening of the signs of left heart failure, with among others the development of a mitral insufficiency, and an enlargement of the valvular mass. On both cases, necropsy confirmed the echocardiographic findings and evidenced verminous mesenteric arteritis and polyarthritis. This report further illustrates clinical features of equine endocarditis and outlines the diagnostic and pronostic value of Doppler echocardiography for this condition.
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