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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Valvular endocarditis in the horse: 20 cases (1993-2020).
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2020; 61(12); 1290-1294;

Valvular endocarditis in the horse: 20 cases (1993-2020).

Abstract: Medical records of 20 horses with a confirmed diagnosis of valvular endocarditis at the Ontario Veterinary College between January 1, 1993 and February 3, 2020 were reviewed. The diagnosis was based on physical examination findings, complete blood (cell) count (CBC), serum biochemistry, echocardiography, blood culture, and post-mortem findings. Common presenting signs included tachycardia, pyrexia, weight loss, lameness/joint distension, and a heart murmur. Clinicopathological findings included leukocytosis, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and elevated inflammatory markers. Culture from 5 horses yielded Actinobacillus equuli in 2 cases and Actinobacillus suis in 1 case. Of the 20 horses included in this study, 17 were euthanized and 3 were treated. Only 1 case had follow-up more than 1 year after discharge. Endocardite valvulaire chez le cheval : 20 cas (1993–2020). Les dossiers médicaux de 20 chevaux avec un diagnostic confirmé d’endocardite valvulaire au Ontario Veterinary College entre le 1er janvier 1993 et le 3 février 2020 furent revus. Le diagnostic était basé sur les trouvailles de l’examen physique, un comptage sanguin complet (CBC), une biochimie sérique, une échocardiographie, une hémoculture et les trouvailles post-mortem. Les signes fréquents de présentation incluaient tachycardie, pyrexie, perte de poids, boiterie/enflure articulaire et murmure cardiaque. Les trouvailles clinico-pathologiques incluaient leucocytose, anémie, hypoalbuminémie, hyperglobulinémie et augmentation des marqueurs inflammatoires. La culture provenant de cinq chevaux permis d’isoler Actinobacillus equuli dans deux cas et Actinobacillus suis d’un cas. Parmi les 20 chevaux inclus dans cette étude, 17 furent euthanasiés et trois furent traités. Seulement un cas avait un suivi de plus d’un an après le congé.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2020-12-11 PubMed ID: 33299245PubMed Central: PMC7659875
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper reviews 20 cases of horses with valvular endocarditis, a heart condition, at the Ontario Veterinary College between 1993 and 2020. The study presents common signs, diagnosis and treatment outcomes based on medical records.

Method of Diagnosis

  • The researchers used several methods to confirm the diagnosis of valvular endocarditis, a form of heart disease in horses characterized by inflammation and damage to one of the four heart valves.
  • Initial findings were based on physical examination where common symptoms like tachycardia (rapid heart rate), pyrexia (fever), weight loss, lameness or joint distension (swelling) and heart murmurs were noted.
  • Additional diagnostic techniques included complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry, imaging of the heart using echocardiography, blood culture to identify possible bacterial or fungal infection, as well as post-mortem findings in the euthanized horses.

Common Symptoms and Laboratory Findings

  • Common clinicopathological findings included leukocytosis (an increase in the number of white cells in the blood) usually indicating an infection, anemia (a reduced level of red blood cells), hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin in the blood), hyperglobulinemia (high levels of globulins in the blood), and elevated inflammatory markers.
  • Bacterial culture from blood samples of 5 horses revealed bacterial species that could be responsible for the condition.

Case Outcomes

  • Out of the 20 horses included in this study, 17 were euthanized due to the severity of the condition and only 3 horses were treated.
  • Long-term follow-up information was available for only one case, and it was observed for more than a year after being discharged from the hospital. The study didn’t mention the outcome of this follow-up.

Importance of the Study

  • This research provides valuable insight into the diagnosis of equine valvular endocarditis based on various parameters including physical examination and laboratory test results.
  • It helps to paint a picture of the prevalent symptoms, the most common clinical and pathological findings, as well as possible outcomes of this condition in horses.
  • The findings are intended to aid veterinary professionals to better understand this condition and improve diagnostic methods as well as management of cases in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Henderson B, Diaz M, Martins C, Kenney D, Baird JD, Arroyo LG. (2020). Valvular endocarditis in the horse: 20 cases (1993-2020). Can Vet J, 61(12), 1290-1294.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 12
Pages: 1290-1294

Researcher Affiliations

Henderson, Brianne
  • Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services, 72 Leeson Street South, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 5S5 (Henderson); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Diaz, Martins, Kenney, Baird, Arroyo).
Diaz, Manuela
  • Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services, 72 Leeson Street South, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 5S5 (Henderson); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Diaz, Martins, Kenney, Baird, Arroyo).
Martins, Candace
  • Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services, 72 Leeson Street South, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 5S5 (Henderson); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Diaz, Martins, Kenney, Baird, Arroyo).
Kenney, Daniel
  • Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services, 72 Leeson Street South, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 5S5 (Henderson); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Diaz, Martins, Kenney, Baird, Arroyo).
Baird, John D
  • Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services, 72 Leeson Street South, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 5S5 (Henderson); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Diaz, Martins, Kenney, Baird, Arroyo).
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services, 72 Leeson Street South, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 5S5 (Henderson); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Diaz, Martins, Kenney, Baird, Arroyo).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Endocarditis / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis / epidemiology
  • Endocarditis / veterinary
  • Euthanasia, Animal
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Ontario

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Songsungthong W, Pornthanakasem W, Leartsakulpanich U, Srijuntongsiri G. In silico-derived Actinobacillus equuli-specific DNA markers and development of associated PCR assays. J Vet Diagn Invest 2026 Jan;38(1):59-65.
    doi: 10.1177/10406387251382186pubmed: 41063450google scholar: lookup
  2. Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.70003pubmed: 40903020google scholar: lookup
  3. Vereecke N, Vandekerckhove A, Theuns S, Haesebrouck F, Boyen F. Whole genome sequencing to study antimicrobial resistance and RTX virulence genes in equine Actinobacillus isolates. Vet Res 2023 Apr 5;54(1):33.
    doi: 10.1186/s13567-023-01160-2pubmed: 37020296google scholar: lookup
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