Todayโs path rounds are on ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐ง๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ is inflammation of the ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ, the inner lining of the heart. The endocardium also makes up the heart valves, and the inflammation is often found on these surfaces.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Any species can get this!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Usually this condition is cause by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by parasites or fungi in some cases. The ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ (disease causing agents) that cause endocarditis are many, and depend on the species. In general, the pathogen reaches the endocardium through the bloodstream and adheres to the valves.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
When the bacteria adheres to the valves, it tends to form large ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ lesions (look like cauliflower). These can interrupt the normal function of the valve, by preventing it from moving freely or closing completely. This can cause ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ due to blood leaking through the valve during times where it shouldnโt. This leakage over time can cause heart failure as the heart desperately tries to compensate for the leaky valve.
Additionally, bits of the bacterial cauliflower can break off and form ๐๐ฆ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข, which travel to other organs and can become lodged in vessels causing ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (death of tissue due to lack of blood flow) or ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ (localized infection with pus).
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
In general, the veterinarian can look for signs of fever, heart murmurs, a ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ค๐จ๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ in the bloodstream (high numbers of neutrophils, a major clean up cell that targets bacteria) and signs of heart failure on X-rays. Based on suspicion, they may do a ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ (growing bacteria from the bloodstream) to determine which bacteria is causing the problem.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
The main treatment method is high levels of antibiotics to get the infection under control, followed by medications to help prevent the onset of heart failure. Unfortunately, the prognosis is very poor for most animals, and animals that do recover often have long-term heart issues.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-7) Various examples of endocarditis. Anyone craving cauliflower now? Mmmmโฆ..
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 3. Sixth Edition.
Kittleson, M.D. Specific cardiac diseases. Merck Veterinary Manual 2015.
Photos 1-7 courtesy of University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Services Unit.
