Presentation

1. Signalment:

1. Breeds –

• Dogs with congenital subaortic stenosis
• Large breed dogs are more commonly affected. German Shepherds are the most common breed affected overall.

2. Age – middle age or older (ave. = 5 yrs)
3. Sex – primarily in males

2. History may include:

• Anorexia, lethargy, depression
• Vomiting
• Lameness
• Heart failure/congestive heart failure

3. Physical examination:

• A new heart murmur of mitral valve insufficiency or
• Aortic valve insufficiency, previously undetected
• Exuberant arterial pulses occur when aortic insufficiency develops
• Dysrhythmias
• Fever
• Joint pain, swelling, heat
• Pale mucous membranes
• Dyspnea
• Congestive heart failure

Comment: The clinical signs of bacterial endocarditis are related to:

• Cardiac lesions
• Arterial emboli
• Host response to infection