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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Endocarditis is defined as an inflammation of the cardiac endocardium. The infection can affect the valves (valvular endocarditis) and then spread to the heart wall (mural endocarditis). It is usually a result of a bacteraemia or pyaemia, spread from adjaent myocardium is rare. It occurs in all species and is more common in cattle, pigs and sheep than dogs and cats.
Endocarditis is defined as an inflammation of the cardiac endocardium. The infection can affect the valves (valvular endocarditis) and then spread to the heart wall (mural endocarditis). It is usually a result of a bacteraemia or pyaemia, spread from adjaent myocardium is rare. It occurs in all species and is more common in cattle, pigs and sheep than dogs and cats.
*Pig and dog: Lesions occur particularly on the mitral valve (71% of cases in dogs), perhaps due to the higher pressure blood flow on the left side of the heart leading to more valvular damage. Left sided heart failure and pulmonary oedema are seen clinically, as are emboli in various organs, particularly the kidney.
*Pig and dog: Lesions occur particularly on the mitral valve (71% of cases in dogs), perhaps due to the higher pressure blood flow on the left side of the heart leading to more valvular damage. Left sided heart failure and pulmonary oedema are seen clinically, as are emboli in various organs, particularly the kidney.
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
Endocarditis is rare in dogs but males and large breeds (e.g. german Shepherds) are most affected. Very rare in cats.
The disease mainly affects adult cattle and young pigs. In Horses, males are more comonly affected than females.
==Histroy & Clinical Signs==
Clinical signs are often vague and rarely referable to congestive heart failure. The folowing clinical signs are seen related to sepsis:
* Pyrexia
*Lameness
*Neck Pain
*Lethargy/Anoexia
*Weight loss
*Epistaxis
Signs of embolisation to other organs may also be seen and those of congestive heart failure (dyspnoea, poor pulses, pale mucous membranes, tacchycardia, pulmonary crackles)
==Physical examination==
A variable murmur depending upon the valve affected. It may be noted that murmur has recently arisen or changed. Other clincial examination findings include joint effusions, lymphadenopathy, pyrexia and in advanced cases signs associated with disseinated intravascular coagulopathy (D.I.C) such as bleeding diathesis and petichiation.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Laboratory findings===
===Laboratory findings===
'''Blood profiles''': Not all cases will have altered blood changes. Possible changes include:
::Haematology - Neutrophilia, left shift, monocytosis, Thrombocytopaenia and prolonged clotting times if developing D.I.C.
::Biochemistry - Hypoalbuminaemia and hypoglycaemia.
'''Urinalysis''' : may have proteinuria, casts, pyuria. A uniary tract infection may be present with the same organism as is responsible for the endocarditis.
'''Blood cultures''' : Requires 3-4 sterile samples colected from the jugular vein at least 1 hour apart over a 24 hour period. Negative cultures do not rule out the possibility of bacerial endocarditis.
===Echocardiography===
===Echocardiography===
===Radiography===
===Radiography===
=from clinical=
=from clinical=
[[Image:Bacterial endocarditis.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'''Bacterial endocarditis'''. Courtesy of A. Jefferies</center></small>]]
[[Image:Bacterial endocarditis.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'''Bacterial endocarditis'''. Courtesy of A. Jefferies</center></small>]]