Clinical and echocardiographic findings in 10 dogs with vegetative bacterial endocarditis

Ten cases of bacterial endocarditis in the dog were studied by retrospective analysis of case records. Diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis was based on either strict clinical criteria or post mortem examination. A wide spectrum of presenting signs was seen including pyrexia, lameness, epistaxis, haemoptysis and dyspnoea. Haematological and biochemical abnormalities were non-specific and were attributed to the effects of septicaemia, embolism or chronic inflammation. Haemostatic abnormalities and, or, severe dysrhythmias appeared to be associated with a significantly poorer prognosis. Blood cultures were positive in four cases of eight that were cultured. Lesions compatible with bacterial endocarditis were detected in all eight cases that underwent echocardiographic examination. Right-sided vegetations present in two dogs were not detected by echocardiography. Two-dimensional echocardiography is a useful technique for the detection of vegetative endocarditis in the dog and allows rapid therapeutic intervention while blood culture results are pending.