A case of bacterial endocarditis in a diabetic Dachshund

Abstract

"Frank", a seven year old male castrated Dachshund, presented to the Triage Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals on June 26, 2006, with chief concerns of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and weakness, which he developed following ingestion of crabs and miscellaneous debris, while at a beach in Maine on June 22. He was initially taken to a local vet, but due to the severity of his illness was referred to Cornell for evaluation. On presentation, several areas of petechial hemorrhages were noted on his ventral abdomen and one on his right nictitans. Additionally, he had generalized peripheral lymphadenomegaly, a fever of 104.6 degree F, and a grade II/VI systolic murmur over the left apical region. Frank was previously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and has been difficult to regulate. Among other findings, initial labwork results revealed diabetic ketoacidosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. After stabilization of the patient in the intensive care unit, a cardiology consult was sought. Echocardiography revealed a large vegetative lesion on the aortic valve consistent with bacterial endocarditis, as well as bilateral chronic atrioventricular valvular degeneration (endocardiosis). Due to the poor prognosis associated with concurrent uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and bacterial endocarditis, Frank was euthanized and his body was submitted for necropsy. This revealed additional vegetative lesions consistent with endocarditis on his mitral and pulmonary valves. This paper will discuss a unique case of bacterial endocarditis, predisposing factors that lead to its development, and the clinical, pathological and histological changes associated with this disease.