Infective endocarditis in dogs
The aim of this study was to determine the causative organisms, clinical features and outcome of canine infective endocarditis in the U.K.
The research team searched medical records of three veterinary referral hospitals for dogs with infective endocarditis between December 2009 to December 2019. They recorded signalment, clinical signs, causative organism, valve affected, treatment and survival data.
The team included 77 cases with possible or definite infective endocarditis, according to the modified Duke criteria. The majority or 40 of 77 were large breeds. The team identified 47 of 77 or 61% male dogs and the mean age was 7.3 ±3 years.
Researchers identified a causative organism in 26 of 77 or 33.8% cases. The most common organisms were Escherichia coli (25.9%), Pasteurella spp. (18.5%), Staphylococcus spp. (14.8%) and Corynebacterium spp. (14.8%).
The team did not detect Bartonella spp. in any patient. They found that the mitral valve was affected in 62.3% of the dogs. Clinical features were non-specific, with lethargy being the most common clinical sign observed (68.8%).
Fifty-three dogs (68.8%) survived to discharge. The median survival time post discharge was 425 days. The development of congestive heart failure was associated with a poorer outcome. Cardiac troponin concentration, antithrombotic use and the development of thromboembolism or arrhythmias were not significantly associated with outcome.
Researchers concluded that some dogs with infective endocarditis that survive to discharge can have a long lifespan. The inability to detect an underlying organism is common and Bartonella spp. may be a less prevalent cause of canine infective endocarditis in the U.K. than in the U.S.
M Berrezaie, et al. “Infective endocarditis in dogs in the UK: 77 cases (2009-2019).” J Small Anim Pract. 2022 Nov 6. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13561.
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