Endocarditis

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Endocarditis

Endocarditis is a rare systemic disease affecting the cardiovascular system of the horse. It may include signs of predisposing disease, systemic inflammaion, immune-mediated host responses, thromboembolic complications, or metastatic infection. Supraventriclar or ventricular arrhythmia may also be observed.

Symptoms

Heart murmurs
Therapy-resistant or recurrent fever
Depression
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Increased heart rate
Intermittent lameness
Signs of heart failure

Diagnosis

  • Echocardiography
  • Laboratory tests

Support

Therapies

TherapiesDetails
Broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotics
NSAIDs
Antithrombotics

Prognosis

Prognosis for left-sided vegetative valvular endocarditis is often poor, however right-sided may have a slightly better prognosis.

Scientific Research

General Overviews