title: Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in three dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical presentation and outcome in 3 dogs with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC).
  
  
  METHODS
  SEC was identified in 3 dogs with concurrent hyperfibrinogenemia. The dogs were diagnosed with different underlying conditions including infective endocarditis of the mitral valve (Case 1), presumptive Evan's syndrome (Case 2), and presumptive sepsis (Case 3). Various therapies were used in each case directed at their underlying condition, in addition to thromboprophylaxis that were based upon a perceived risk of thromboembolic disease. The 3 dogs in this series survived to discharge and had good outcome during the follow-up period, which ranged from 3 weeks to 7 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SEC is considered a marker for thromboembolic disease in people and can occur in dogs in the absence of significant cardiomegaly. SEC in these 3 dogs may be related to the documented hyperfibrinogenemia. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether dogs with SEC are at an increased risk for thromboembolic complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA. ralphalan81@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.forename: Ashley B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Crystal D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hariu
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabity
mesh_terms: D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary