Clinicopathologic findings and outcome in dogs with infective endocarditis: 71 cases (1992-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical, laboratory, and necropsy findings in dogs with infective endocarditis (IE).


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
71 dogs with possible or definite IE.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for signalment, clinical features, and results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging. Yearly incidence and the effect of variables on survival were determined by use of survival curve analysis.


RESULTS
The overall incidence of IE was 0.05%. Most affected dogs were of large breeds, and > 75% were older than 5 years. The aortic valve was affected in 36 of the 71 (51%) dogs, and the mitral valve was affected in 59%. Lameness caused by immune-mediated polyarthritis, septic arthritis, or peripheral arterial thromboembolism was observed in 53% of the dogs. Neurologic complications were diagnosed in 17 of 71 (24%) dogs. Thromboembolic disease was suspected in 31 of 71 (44%) of dogs. The mortality rate associated with IE was 56%, and median survival time was 54 days. Factors negatively associated with survival included thrombocytopenia, high serum creatinine concentration, renal complications, and thromboembolic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
A diagnosis of IE should be suspected in dogs with fever, systolic or diastolic murmur, and locomotor problems. Dogs with thrombocytopenia, high serum creatinine concentration, thromboembolism, or renal complications may have a shorter survival time.
Sykes
Jane E
JE
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Kittleson
Mark D
MD
Chomel
Bruno B
BB
Macdonald
Kristin A
KA
Pesavento
Patricia A
PA
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000473:pathology; D001947:Breeding; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary
D003404:Creatinine