Bacterial endocarditis in horses: ten cases (1984-1995).

This research investigates the symptoms, causes, and potential treatments for bacterial endocarditis in horses by retrospectively studying 10 cases. The study also aims to evaluate the effectiveness of echocardiography in diagnosing this medical condition.

Overview of Methods

• The researchers performed a retrospective study on 10 horses diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis from 1984 to 1995.
• The examination methods included echocardiographic and post mortem examinations.
• Seven horses underwent both types of examination, two were examined post mortem only, and one had only an echocardiographic examination.

Notable Characteristics

• The study found no apparent breed or sex predilection in the affected horses. The mean age of the horses was roughly 2.12 years, showing that bacterial endocarditis can affect horses at a relatively young age.
• Common clinical signs of the disease included fever, cardiac murmur, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), tachypnoea (rapid breathing), hyperfibrinogenaemia (excessive fibrinogen in the blood), anaemia, and leucocytosis (an increase in white blood cells).
• The microbes mostly responsible for the infections were Pasteurella/Actinobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp.

Impact of Bacterial Endocarditis

• The disease primarily affected the mitral valve (located between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart), and secondarily affected the aortic valve (the main outflow valve from the heart).
• All horses with vegetative lesions on the mitral and/or aortic valve either died or had to be euthanized due to the severity of their heart diseases.

Accuracy of Diagnostics and Treatment Possibilities

• Echocardiography proved to be an accurate diagnostic tool as its results matched the post mortem examination of the heart lesions. This could potentially allow for earlier treatment intervention.
• Medical treatment was attempted for half of the affected horses. They used serial echocardiography to observe the treatment’s effectiveness in two of these horses.
• Two horses with tricuspid valve endocarditis (affecting the valve on the right side of the heart) were successfully treated. One even returned to racing after antimicrobial therapy, while the other horse had to be euthanized due to severe laminitis, a non-related hoof condition.