Arterial hypertension and hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy associated with aortic valvular endocarditis in a dog

A 5-year-old spayed female Doberman Pinscher was referred for clinical evaluation following two acute episodes of lameness, lethargy, and respiratory dyspnea. The femoral pulse had a bounding "water-hammer" quality. Arterial blood pressures were 280 mm of Hg to greater than 300 mm of Hg during systole and approximately 40 mm of Hg during diastole. Systolic blood pressure was lowered to 210 mm of Hg, using prazosin. Radiography revealed extensive pulmonary interstitial markings and smooth subperiosteal expansions of the long bones indicative of hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy. Despite symptomatic treatment, the dog's health gradually deteriorated, and it died 9 days after referral. Necropsy revealed vegetative endocarditis of the aortic valve. Insufficiency of the aortic valve was believed to be responsible for the systolic hypertension and the hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy.