Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pseudomonas spp. associated vegetative endocarditis in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 1995
- Authors:
- Travers, C W & van den Berg, J S
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medicine and Equine Research Centre
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looks at two Thoroughbred horses, a 2-year-old colt and a 7-year-old broodmare, both of which were experiencing weight loss, trouble exercising, occasional fevers, swelling in their limbs, and low red blood cell counts. The colt was found to have a serious heart condition called vegetative endocarditis, affecting the heart valves, and unfortunately, he had to be put to sleep due to severe heart failure. In the mare's case, the same heart condition was diagnosed, and she was treated with an antibiotic called gentamicin for ten days. Thankfully, her health improved, and she was able to return to her breeding duties.
Abstract
This paper describes the case histories of two Thoroughbred horses, a 2-year-old colt in training and a 7-year-old broodmare, that were presented with histories of weight loss, exercise intolerance, intermittent fever, limb oedema and anaemia. Vegetative endocarditis of the mitral and tricuspid valves was diagnosed in the colt by means of echocardiography. Pseudomonas sp. endocarditis of the mitral valve was diagnosed in the mare using echocardiography and bacterial culture. The colt had secondary congestive heart failure and was euthanased on humane grounds. Pseudomonas cepacia was isolated from the vegetative lesions following the post mortem examination. The mare was sent home and treated with gentamicin at a dosage of 3.3 mg/kg intra-muscularly twice daily for ten days. Her condition improved and she returned to stud.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8596190/